Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am appealing to drop CHEM 281 and STAT 263 past the academic deadline. I am appealing for Aegrotat standing in ANAT 215 and BIOL 205. All of these courses are from fall 2014 and are required courses in the life science specialization program I am a student in. If granted Aegrotat standing please note that I was unable to participate in classes and submit assignments as of November 15, 2014. I have emailed Dr. MacKenzie, the professor of ANAT 215 and Dr. Chin-Sang, the professor of BIOL 205 and both professors believe I qualify for Aegrotat standing. If I am not granted Aegrotat standing I would like to request that the course be dropped.
I am making this request due to extenuating circumstances that were beyond my control and prevented me from finishing my fall term at Queen's University. During my first year at Queens I was diagnosed with depression and a severe anxiety disorder. During the summer of 2014 I was determined to get my symptoms under control before my second year at Queen's in order to have a healthier more manageable year than my first. I arranged to meet with a psychologist in Kingston weekly and registered with disability services in order to have accommodations on exams and to be able to negotiate due dates with my instructors. This was all put in place to reduce my stress levels and help me succeed. However, the demands of my courses, along with personal issues were too great and despite my determination to continue I became very ill around November 3rd. Progressively my health deteriorated until I found myself in the emergency room at Kingston General Hospital on November 9th. I was dehydrated and exhausted. I was given fluids for the day by IV and told to rest. Since then I could not get out of bed, eat or drink. I went to La Salle Health Services on November 14th seeking help. The doctor there told me that in the state I was in, it might be necessary that I go home and advised me to talk to a councillor from Queen's in the same building. I spoke with the counsellor, Mary Acreman shortly after and decided that due to the severe depression and anxiety I was experiencing and my inability to care for myself, attend classes and complete assignments, that I should return home where I could see my doctor and get the care I needed. On November 15th I returned home to Toronto.
I cannot continue with school as my anxiety in class has become too great to function and my depression has caused significant weight loss and exhaustion such that I do not have the mental or physical capacity to attend class or complete assignments. This was an extremely difficult decision as in the past I have been a very dedicated and committed student. For this reason I do not want to suffer academic penalty for the courses that I am still registered in but I am unable to complete. This is my reason for my appeal as I wish to one day continue my studies.
My future plan is to meet with my doctor, Dr. Mary-Ann Pubbin, to make a plan for my recovery. I will be arranging to meet with a psychologist and psychiatrist and if I qualify, to participate in a day program at Toronto General Hospital. I plan to return to Queen's University in the fall of 2015 if I have fully recovered mentally and physically. I will reregister in the courses CHEM 281 and STAT 263 and I will be taking ANAT 216 which requires the prerequisite ANAT 215 to register in as well as BCHEM 218 which requires BIOL 205. To ensure my health and success upon my return I will arrange to meet with a psychologist weekly and to follow up with a physician. I also plan to take a reduced course load and to register with disability services again to have the accommodations I need in place.