Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To: Associate Dean (Studies)

Queen¿¿s University
June 6th, 2019

Subject: Appeal to waive requirement to withdraw for 3 years

Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,

My name is Matthew Rousina-Webb and I am writing in reference to your letter of May 21st, 2019 concerning the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of 3 years. I have been expecting and dreading receiving this letter for countless weeks. I am writing this appeal letter with the hope that you will reinstate me for next semester and allow me to continue my studies. I thank you in advance for giving me the opportunity to explain my circumstances. My appeal is based on extenuating medical issues and some poor decisions that I made in dealing with their impact on my university studies. I am attaching supporting documentation to verify the timeline and severity of these extenuating circumstances, which have been building over several years.

During the winter semester of my second year at Queen¿¿s (2017), and my first year on campus in Kingston (I spent year one in the UK), I was faced with re-integrating into campus social life. I had been suffering from anxiety and depression from the past year and led myself down a self-destructive path using unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drinking and avoidance to quell them. I knew this was wrong and that my mental illness only progressed from here. But I also found that I was becoming physically ill. My studies began to suffer, and I failed my chemistry courses. I knew I had to turn things around, but I seemed to be in a vicious cycle - the harder I tried the greater the stress I experienced and the sicker I became. I wanted to succeed badly, I wanted to correct the past and improve grades, to prove to all that I could do it; but I wanted to do it all by myself without anyone elses help. I was petrified at the thought of withdrawing, but soon had to face the reality and consequences of my actions, I was extremely distraught and was required to withdraw for a year. I tried to avoid reality; I hid it all from my parents, and my friends. I could not face telling them or confront it myself.

My symptoms worsened during the summer of 2017 to the point where I was unable to drink liquids, losing a total of 40 pounds in a bit over a month. After multiple ER visits I was finally admitted to the Ottawa General hospital in the fall of that year (2017) for 2 weeks (see attachment) and went through a rigorous number of tests. I was diagnosed as having an atypical case of Crohn¿¿s disease. I was initially treated with steroids (prednisone) which seemed to help for a while, but I was again admitted to the hospital in February of 2018 (see attachment) when more excruciating symptoms appeared. This time I was put on a biologic medication called Humira alongside steroids. Once again this seemed to help and for the next few months, I began to make steady progress in recovering my health.

In May of 2018, I was permitted to return to studies at Queen¿¿s. Although my physical health was improving, I was experiencing increasing anxieties. I heeded my parents¿¿ concerns and I began seeing a therapist over the summer (2018) at the Limestone Clinic in Kingston run by Dr. Kris Boksman (see attachment). Through therapy I learned how to manage the mental distress of my medical conditions and medications, along with deep rooted issues attributing to my anxieties and I felt I was now ready to return to my studies and succeed. In preparation for the fall semester I enrolled in summer courses for calculus and biology, two courses that I had failed in first year. This time I passed both courses, although I was not happy with my low grades and was determined to do better in the fall semester.

I worked out a return plan with a counsellor at Queen¿¿s and shifted focus from chemistry to biology. Unfortunately, just as the fall semester began, I was again admitted to the Kingston General Hospital (see attachment) as my symptoms reappeared. I was discharged on a regiment of steroids (prednisone) alongside Humira. I initially felt better but this did not last long and once again my symptoms re-appeared, affecting my ability to attend classes. At this point I stopped going to therapy since it was too difficult for me to travel there with my declining health. I realize now this was a mistake. I also should have met with university counsellors and my professors to discuss an action plan to deal with my declining health issues. I was certainly in no condition to complete the workload that I had taken on. I regret not following through on this. I stubbornly pushed on, focussing only on the biology aspects of my studies. I passed my Diversity of Life course for that semester but did so at the expense of my Social Psychology and Comparative Cognition courses.

It was at this point that my gastroenterologist Dr. Navaaz Saloojee (see attachment) informed me that I had developed a resistance to my medication and prescribed a new drug ¿¿Remicade¿. Feeling as though all of my previous progress and aspirations were once again coming to a halt, the fear of uncertainty, declining health and once again declining grades I fell back into deep states of depression along with trying to manage the pain of my illness. It took several months before the effects of Remicade were noticeable. Through my poor lack of judgement, I pushed on with my studies for the second semester focussing only on my Diversity of Life course which I passed but at the expense of failing my psychology course. Once again, I should have sought help from my professors, informed the University of my medical condition and focussed on my health instead of once again forfeiting a semester.

Since then I've dealt with many difficult internal conflicts and have had many difficult conversations with my parents about the reasons for my actions and failing grades. I am now able to discuss my situation more openly with them and come to terms with it myself, and I am grateful that they continue to support me. I am currently seeing a therapist in Ottawa (see attachment) through a referral from Dr. Boksman of the Limestone Clinic in Kingston. He is helping me to successfully manage my anxieties, avoidances and depression. I am seeing him on a weekly basis and have made considerable progress through his help and prior sessions at the Limestone clinic in Kingston. My new medication (Remicade) has finally started to take full effect and there are no signs of any antibodies being developed. I am finally feeling more like myself and how I was prior to the onset of my illness.

I regret many choices that I have made since my time at Queen¿¿s, although every failure, bad decision and roadblock I¿¿ve faced has only reinvigorated my drive and will to move forward. I once again find myself in a position that I did two years ago, still dreading having to withdraw, although not with the fear of having to confront the truth to myself and others, but with the fear that I won¿¿t have a chance to move on with my goals and succeed.

I know my prior academic performance was not in line with the expectations of Queen¿¿s University, neither does it align with my personal standards or aspirations. But I feel that, as humans, we grow through our pain and failures and become stronger as a result. I am not proud of my previous poor academic effort and it is not indicative of my potential and performance prior to Queen¿¿s and moving forward. Although my illness was a strong contributing factor in my poor performance, I also made some bad decisions in not seeking help when I needed it most.

I believe that I am now a more mature adult and if given a chance, I will be able to deal successfully with future challenges and succeed in my studies at Queen¿¿s. I, therefore, humbly request this committee to give me one more chance to continue my studies this fall, so that I can prove to myself and my professors that I have what it takes to follow my dream.
Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to your favourable judgment on my application.

Respectfully,
Matthew Rousina- Webb