Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: The purpose of this letter is to request to drop classes late. I am requesting to drop all winter 2018 courses and all fall 2018 courses. The winter courses are as follows SOCY 273, POLS 385, POLS 367, POLS 361AND PHIL 318. The fall courses I am requesting to drop are ECON 280, POLS 310, POLS 366, POLS 367 and SOCY 306.

I am making this appeal now because I was unaware there was an option to appeal courses. In addition, even if I had been aware of this option, I was too unwell to inquire, initiate and follow through on such a process. Now that my family is aware of my medical condition, I have support from them as well as from medical professionals, and I am aware of this process and with their support, able to initiate this process.

My medical condition began in the Fall of 2017, and began to progress quickly. Without sharing my condition with my family, I requested I be able to drop 2 courses in order to try and manage the medical issue on my own with less academic demands. My academic performance did not suffer at this point, but my medical condition was quickly deteriorating. I was ashamed to seek help and this, I think, only worsened my conditioned and hastened my decline. I was hesitant to return to school in the winter 2018 session, but was still too ashamed to share with anyone and hoped I could press through. My decline from here was drastic. Without sharing the details of my condition, I was unable to leave my home for classes, unable to complete tasks and assignments. I would describe my medical condition at the time as severe. My medical conditioned rendered me helpless and unable to function. I was able to provide excuses to my family, through deception in order to conceal my shame. I received no academic penalty, and convinced my parents I had pulled myself together enough to try again in the fall. Once back at school, I realized I continued to be unable to cope and realized that without acknowledging the problem to my family, and without seeking medical attention, this situation was going to end up with a terrible outcome. I called my family on Saturday, November 3 and explained I might have had a medical issue but that I was dealing better now. By Sunday, I realized that I had to come fully clean and go home. I explained my medical condition to my parents and was on my way home that day. I had a doctor's appointment the next day and was diagnosed with a medical condition that commenced in the Fall of 2017. I was referred to a specialist and am receiving on going treatment. I now understand even more the magnitude of the severity of my illness and how it has impacted not only my ability to study but also to function properly. I continue to receive treatment with he goal of full recovery and a return to Queen's when the medical professionals feel it is appropriate.