Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Jenn Stephenson¿¿Associate Dean (Studies)
Student Services, First Floor Dunning Hall¿¿Dunning Hall, Queen¿¿s University
94 University Ave
Kingston, Ontario ¿¿K7L 3N9

Dear Jenn,

I am writing this letter to appeal to for Aegrotat standing in COMM621, so that I may be exempt from the course¿¿s final exam.
I would like to preface my request by formally stating that I consider myself an incredibly involved and dedicated student. I am confident that I have demonstrated a consistently tedious work ethic¿¿contributing to a cumulative grade point average of 3.86¿¿over the course of my Bachelor of Arts Honours (consisting of a Drama major, English minor and Certificate in Business); I am set to graduate after this term (Winter 2019) before returning to Queen¿¿s in the Fall for the Concurrent Education portion of my degree. Unfortunately, despite my enjoyment of learning and motivation to do well, an ongoing struggle with a severe eating disorder over the last eight months (though most notably and to a higher degree this term) has interfered with my abilities as well as my wellbeing. This mental illness dominates my mind and body beyond my control by inducing restrictive behaviours, disordered eating habits, extreme overexercising, irrational thoughts, anxiety, and depressive episodes. This has impacted many aspects of my life¿¿socially through isolation, physically through exhaustion/malnutrition, and academically through constant distraction¿¿including the latter parts of my COMM621 course.
The decision to write this appeal¿¿my first request for any accommodation¿¿is not one that I take lightly. I did a lot of research as well as weighing of options before deciding that this was a necessary action. Moreover, my consultations with academic advisors in both the Arts and Science and Concurrent Education faculties, as well as medical professionals like my social worker and therapist, Carrie Watson, have confirmed that I am not of sound mind or body to be assessed at such high stakes (a 40 final). Aegrotat standing would benefit me by eliminating the pressure of a final exam from my already very stressful situation. COMM621 is my only in-class final exam, so its omission would give me time and availability to get well, both through self-driven endeavours, and more significantly, a scheduled treatment program at a hospital in my hometown, where I can live with my family and be closely monitored while in recovery.
The document that supports this appeal is a professional note from my physician: Dr. Melissa Goldberg at Bayview Family Practice in Toronto; it details the formal diagnosis of my eating disorder and the many forms of treatment that I¿¿ve been receiving under Dr. Goldberg¿¿s care. I am currently admitted to Hotel Dieu¿¿s outpatient group program (and will be until I move back home following Week 12 classes, hopefully), and I¿¿ve been referred and accepted into a day program in Toronto, set to start in April. With this all taken into account, Dr. Goldberg¿¿s recommendation to be exempt from exams is one I wholeheartedly want to follow.
I have fulfilled Queen¿¿s University¿¿s requirements for Aegrotat status by completing 60 percent of COMM621 and meeting all of the learning outcomes. I have achieved good marks thus far and have attended teaching assistant and professor office hours almost ever week. I even took the precaution near the end of the term of working significantly ahead of the syllabus schedule to give myself more time to understand the concepts. Thus, I want my grade (even if it is partially estimated) to be included on my transcript and in my grade point average to reflect the efforts I¿¿ve put in to this course.
My future plan for achieving academic success, should my appeal be granted, involves optimal time management so that I can achieve a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, I¿¿d like to limit distractions of my personal context by doing the majority of my work on campus, away from my living space. Above all, physical and mental wellness are my priority and I strongly believe that once I am recovered, my academic performance will get back to its normal standard.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read this and for your consideration of my appeal. Thank you.

Kind regards, ¿¿Claire Smith (10173345)
c.smith@queensu.ca