Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Greetings Associate Dean of Arts and Science,
My name is Kyle Semple and I am currently enrolled in my second year at Queens, studying Geography under the Arts and Science faculty. The purpose of this appeals letter is to request an aegrotat mark for three of the four courses I attended during the Fall 2017 semester (GPHY 229, GPHY 254, LAW 201), and the dropping of one course from the Fall 2017 semester (CISC 101). I am requesting this because the deterioration of my mental health before and during these two semesters greatly affected my ability to complete my work or to do my best. This was exacerbated by health and money issues, poor coping mechanisms, drug use, uncertainty in my living situation and significant difficulty adjusting to life at Queens. In order to address these issues, I have been working with my on-campus counselor and my Wellness Services advisor to create new strategies and formulate a plan to address the issues I am facing.
Many of these strategies are already in place. My health issues are being addressed by a specialist, who is monitoring my progress through bi-weekly visits in case any new developments occur. I am working closely with my familys accountant and my relatives who have completed post-secondary education to ensure my money is spent efficiently and effectively, and my bank account is being monitored to supplement this. I am also in the process of applying for various scholarships, bursaries, and grants, and will be working for the entire summer to help pay school fees and living expenses. My counselor and advisor have helped me strengthen my personal relationships so that I can utilize my friends and family as a support system to help cope with issues as they arise. I have weekly calls with my close friends and my family to check on my progress and well being, as well as bi-weekly visits back to my hometown of Mississauga to check my mental and physical health. I have cut out all illicit drug use, since it stemmed from issues surrounding my mental health, which was extremely poor at the time. My living situation has been solidified and codified in writing. All these improvements in my personal life are making the adjustment to life at Queens easier. As a visible minority from a middle-class background, the difficulties I had been running into when trying to adjust to life at Queens have become easier with time, and by utilizing on-campus resources. I now attend events held by the Queens Black Academic Society and the African Caribbean Student Association. I also use the resources provided by the International Centre and have been doing more to get involved on campus. I regularly play drop in sports at the ARC and attend clubs, such as the Kinetiq dance crew or on-campus talks from guest speakers and alumni. The implementation of these changes will put me in the best position to succeed and perform at the highest level I can academically. New stress relieving techniques such as meditation, regular exercise and more social outings will help ensure that I do not relapse in regard to the problems I have been having. I meditate twice a day and go to the gym to workout at least 3 times a week, in addition to regular exercise.

Regards,
Kyle Semple