Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (studies),

I am writing to make an appeal to have the following courses dropped due to extenuating circumstances. Winter 2017: ENGL 238 and ENGL 244, Fall 2017: HIST 124A, Winter 2018: HIST 124B and LAW 203.

During the winter 2017 term I was dealing with my father taking ill and during that time I was also dealing with my own illness. My dad¿¿s care fell on me to look after during this time also. This whole time period was very detrimental to my physical and mental health, and made dealing with my own affairs outside of this personal situation nearly impossible. I wasn¿¿t able to make appeals, attend class, work on assignments, or participate at all really. Then in the fall 2017 I ended up spending most of my time in the hospital very sick. I was hospitalized on and of throughout this semester. Finally, on December 14th I was admitted to KGH for a very long and complex surgery that was going to finally help with the medical issues I have had on going throughout my time at Queen¿¿s. Unfortunately, this surgery did not go as planned leaving me unconscious and in the ICU. A great deal of serious complications arose and my hospitalization was a long and difficult one. The duration of my hospital stay was a total of 116 days (Dec.14, 2017-April 9, 2018). This also meant many months of very difficult recovery once I was able to be discharged. The effects of all of this on my academics and ability to deal with my personal affairs (especially in a timely fashion) were quite detrimental. For instance, I couldn¿¿t do my work or drop courses because I was unconscious, or on a great deal of medications leaving unable to move or even sit up. There are other appeals I plan on taking care of in the future, I just haven¿¿t been able to until now because it has been one very serious thing after another in my life far beyond my control.

I am happy to say I have made great progress in my recovery and my doctor/surgeon have given me the go ahead and feel I am ready to start back at school this September ¿¿ I also feel ready. I plan on having a reduced course load for at least the first semester back to ease myself back into the swing of things and not take on more than I can handle. I also have a good relationship with the academic advisors I typically see and plan on utilizing this tool as much as needed to have the best plan going forward. Should more information be needed, I would be happy to provide it. Documentation from the hospital will be submitted with this letter of appeal.


Sincerely,

Eleonora Depew
10111509