Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: My name is Alexander Laudico, ID 20102120. I currently reside in Westport, CT (06880). I have just completed my first year in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Unfortunately, my grades have not reflected my academic capabilities due to several difficult and unforeseen circumstances during my freshman year. My GPA was ultimately a .69, just .01 under the cutoff for withdrawal.

There are two phases to this letter. The first will address a grade I am appealing (GNDR 125), which, if said appeal is successful, will put me over the cut-off for withdrawal. The second will address the negative circumstances and how I plan to improve my performance.

My grades in Gender Studies included an A+ on the midterm, an A+ in tutorial participation and a B in my Reelout response. I did not perform well on Quiz 1 but rebounded strongly after that. Due to severe headaches, I received an extension on the time to submit my final paper from the TA Grace Wedlake on 4/4 (see separate email file). Unfortunately, I spilled water on my computer the morning of 4/5 and needed to buy a new computer (see an attached receipt from Best Buy). I then promptly forgot to submit this paper due to other final deadlines and my extenuating circumstances. I submitted the paper to my professor and TA on 4/30/2019 but she declined to accept the paper for my final grade. I thus received a D+ in the class when my performance was much better. Any consideration of grading this final paper, including any late penalties would but my GPA over the cutoff.

My extenuating circumstances include a number of difficult emotional trials. First, before attending Queen's, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She has been stable through the year but is undergoing constant treatment and it has been very difficult to deal with this (see supporting documentation from her physician). Secondly, my best friend from High School was killed on Sept. 12, 2018, while riding a skateboard at his new university (see attached obituary). This was a huge blow that I had difficulty processing on top of my family situation. Due to this stress and anxiety, I ended up losing over 30 pounds this year and came home to Connecticut with only 120 pounds on my 511 frame. I did seek help from Queens university counseling services, academic advising and an academic appeals advisor throughout this past semester.

I am now seeing a nutritionist, a psychiatrist, a gastroenterologist, and a psychologist to help address these issues (see attached letters). I have been told by this team of specialists that my steady weight loss and depression impacted my ability to think clearly and perform to my potential. The severe headaches were just one symptom I was carrying throughout the school year. Further, I have been in treatment to prepare for jaw surgery that had been scheduled for this summer but my severe weight loss is now putting this surgery on hold. The jaw surgery is to address an underbite that contributes to sleep difficulties and an inability to eat some foods normally.

While this year has been exceptionally tough due to the myriad of circumstances I was under, I still enjoyed Queen's University immensely. I have made great friends and learned a great deal. I have also gained 10 pounds so far this summer.

It is my wish to return to the school in order to prove that this year is not what I am capable of now that I have been receiving the necessary help.