Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean;

I am writing on behalf of and with the permission (as of mid-February 2019) of my daughter Dana Jessen, first year Arts student in the Psychology program, ID 20118573.

Dana is requesting to drop 2 courses after the March 1, 2019 deadline due to illness that has prevented her from being able to attend class, keep up with homework or complete assignments.

Dana has a pre-existing mental health illness for which she sought medical help from Dr. Borins and registered with QSAS fall/2018. Her condition notably worsened in January 2019 such that she was unable to attend many of her classes and finally no classes at all since early February 2019.

Specifically, Dana has been excessively tired, often sleeping 12 -14 hours or more per day. She lacks the energy to attend classes or even to leave her room to eat. She has lost weight and has been snacking rather than eating proper meals. Her ability to focus on reading and class materials is severely diminished. She rarely socializes with anyone in her residence, instead preferring to remain alone in her room.

On February 12 2019, Dana and I met with Dr. Gupta in Health Services (Dr. Borins was unavailable) and was advised to take a few weeks away from studies effective immediately. The earliest available follow up appointment with Dr. Borins was booked for March 5 (ie, after the March 1st deadline to drop classes).

Also on Feb 12, Dana notified all of her instructors and her QSAS advisor that she would be missing classes and assignments and was applying for academic consideration.

During her time away from classes, we spoke with Academic Advisors and learned that for the Psych program Dana's best option might be to drop some of her courses immediately and re-enrol as a returning first year student once she regained her health. At the time of the March 1 deadline, Dana was feeling better (but still not 100) and was keen on trying to salvage at least 3 of her courses, as this was also required to be allowed to stay in residence. On the March 1, Dana dropped Psych 100B-002 and ANAT-100.

Dana was granted permission from her Gender Studies and Sociology instructors (course content is posted on-line) to catch up on missed assignments and mid-terms.

On March 5, Dr. Borins granted Dana a medical letter supporting Dana's need to take the Winter 2019 term off and made a referral to a mental health specialist for April 10, 2019. By the time we met with Dr. Borins, Dana had already decided that she wanted to try to salvage her remaining 3 courses, but had not yet emailed her Philosophy prof to ask permission to stay in that course. Dana wrote her Gender Studies mid-term on March 14.

Unfortunately, by mid-March, it became apparent that despite her best efforts and a lighter course load, Dana was still unable to return to classes. She continues to be overly fatigued and has difficulty studying and concentrating. She would like to continue with Gender Studies, but drop Phil 111B-002 and SOCY 122B-002.

Dana absolutely has plans to return to studies at Queens once her mental health condition improves. Dana secured an earlier appointment with a mental health specialist (March 22, 2019), has met again with Dr. Borins. Further testing has been ordered and medications have been prescribed.

Dana is committed to maintaining regular meetings with health care professionals and following all of their recommendations. As Dana regains her health, she will also look at taking other options available to her such as reduced course load or changing programs.

Note that supporting documentation has been requested in support of this request.