Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Associate Dean (Studies),

I am a first year student appealing to drop CISC101 (Fall, 2014) after the deadline.

As stated on your website, an example of an extenuating circumstance that is beyond a student's control includes, if a student is in university for the first time and they have not received feedback concerning their performance in the course prior to the drop deadline. I have attached an email from a teacher's assistant from this course confirming that in fact, I had not received adequate feedback prior to the drop deadline, which would have enabled me to meet this timeline. Our course midterm was held in the tenth week, with mine specifically being written on Friday November 14, 2014. This of course falls after the deadline that was set by the University to drop a course without having to file an appeal.

This matter has affected my health, to the degree that I had to seek medical attention. Attached you will find an assessment from a physician confirming how this course is affecting me. This course is causing me to have anxiety as well as troubles sleeping. I have been dealing with headaches and stress to the point of stomach issues. Prior to seeking medical attention, I tried to deal with this issue myself. I sought out a tutor (see email attached) as well as purchased the computer program used in this course to have on my personal computer so that I could practice and do extra work in the hopes of reducing the stress. The side affects this course is causing me to have is not just affecting this course by itself, but the symptoms I am experiencing affect my every day quality of life as well as my performance in all aspects of my academic career. I have had to go home in the last 3 or so weeks at various points to help cope with the side affects I am facing. It was recommended by the physician that I drop this course to allow me to deal with the symptoms that I have from this course instead of continuing in this course and having a further negative impact on my health as well as my academic career at Queen's University.

As CISC101 is a course that teaches the fundamentals for 2 other courses that I was registered for next semester, I have removed such courses from my schedule and added different academic courses that will ensure I can stay on the same path that I had originally set. After seeking out medical attention and considering their recommendations, I have decided that I will be speaking to a counselor for stress and anxiety management. I am certain this will help me develop mechanisms to better cope and deal with the stresses that I will encounter in not only my future in academics, but life in general. All of these personal adjustments will therefore help me to succeed in my future studies.

I appreciate your consideration of my request and assure you I do not take this lightly. I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges I have experienced at Queen's thus far, and want to be able to continue to grow and be successful with my other academic courses and chosen education path.

Sincerely,
Logan Begbie
10109526
13lmb@queensu.ca