Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,


I am appealing to waive the Faculty¿¿s 21-day deadline on submitting academic appeals. During the time period of October 2016 to November 2017, I was physically and mentally incapacitated due to alcohol abuse. My health and well being were in a dangerous state, requiring care at hospitals, detox centers, and rehabilitation centers.
I did not appeal any academic decisions within the required deadline, because I could not in my state function cognitively, let alone perform academically. Before, during, and following the specific 21-day deadline, and for a long period after that, I had no ambition, nor capability to participate in academia due to the ongoing alcohol abuse and volatility of my physical and mental health. In addition to this, I was under a requirement to withdraw, therefore I was not in a position to rush back to studies or appeal to waive deadlines, even if I physically could have done so. It was simply not a priority.
In June of 2017, I entered Renascent, a treatment center for alcohol and substance abuse. There I successfully completed a 35-day 12 Step rehabilitation program (documents attached).
It was after this that I returned to work, continued participating in aftercare programs provided by the treatment center, and began to fall back into a routine and healthy lifestyle. I continued with treatment at the center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Dr. Jonathan Bertram, my physician at CAMH helped me find a medication regiment (which I continue presently) that does extremely well to positively curb my mental health and well-being (documents attached). I now continue my medication and mental/physical health referrals through my family physician Dr. Kelly Te (documents attached).
With all of these larger priorities in my life stabilizing, I began to think about those other important things that I care about, namely my education, future, career and, crucial to achieving those goals, a degree from the University that I chose above any other to attend.
I encountered a setback, I overcame that setback, and I want to continue my positive progress.
For a time I was very unhappy and extremely unhealthy. Now I am in a good place, and it is the belief of my family and I, that I am prepared to achieve my goals. I want my future to hold great promise, and opportunity. Completing my degree at Queens is Paramount, and I am ready to do so.