Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Request:

I am appealing the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for a minimum of one year.

I am also requesting aegrotat standing in the following courses: BIOL 103 (2019 Winter), CHEM 112B (2019 Winter), MATH 121B (2019 Winter), PHYS 117B (2019 Winter), PSYC 100B (2019 Winter).

Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances:

Summary:
The aftermath of dealing with my untenable living situation at Victoria residence, triggered my past trauma, resulting in mental health challenges, leading to a collapse of my academic performance.

Details:
Prior to coming to Queen's, I had experienced a significant number of traumatic events over a short period: serious unfounded allegations leading to significant ostracization and bullying from peer group during last term of high school, unexpected death of grandfather, death by suicide of my uncle, in addition to other stressful situations. During this time, I had support of my family and a therapist.

I choose Queens, as I wanted to be a part of the great Queen's community and was excited to be in residence with a roommate. I established many positive relationships with my floor mates, often helping them when needed. Unfortunately, my roommate's unacceptable behaviour, and resulting impossible living conditions, led me to work with my Don to address my situation. Upon investigation, I was immediately offered an emergency room and an expedited move. Once I moved to Leonard Hall, I was repeatedly and continuously ostracized by my former floor mates, while my ex-roommate targeted me as a snitch. This led me to withdraw, become depressed, and the collapse of my academic performance.

I went from maintaining A's and B's in the first term, to being unable to focus on my studies, retain information, or complete my work. I had difficulty attending classes, completing assignments and performing on exams. I did not consider adjusting my course load, as I mistakenly thought that I couldn't drop full year courses in the second term. (See below: challenges).

Having moved into a better living condition, I initially felt better, and assumed the challenges with my peer group were temporary, and due to increased pressures associated with the end of term. Upon returning after the break, I found the challenges had escalated. My initial strategy of just working harder and pushing through became harder and harder to maintain, and this failure led me to become increasingly more embarrassed and ashamed of my situation. At the start of the winter term I reached out to my Residence Counsellor to help me manage the situation, and this continued throughout the rest of the winter term. Through these discussions, it was suggested that I seek medical assistance, which was put in place in April. I also had a few follow-up discussions with my Toronto Therapist, in January.

My story should be supported and documented by my Don (Vic Hall), Resident Services, Resident Counsellor, Health and Wellness Doctor, and my Toronto Therapist. I have provided a timeline below.

Challenges:
I feel that the following did not help me manage the situation effectively, or in a timely fashion:
- Counsellor availability was limited; As a result, timely issue management was not possible, especially during February.
- I was not encouraged to seek support from academic advisor. As a result, I did not know I could reduce my course load to help me manage, or other options which may have helped my situation.
- Slow referral for medical assistance, delayed medical support.

Timeline:
Oct 4th - 8th Fall Break: I revealed my living situation challenges to my parents.
Oct 21st Homecoming: Roommate situation becomes unmanageable.
Oct 22nd / Oct 31st Initial discussions with Don, followed by discussion with Don, Parents and
me. During this meeting, the Don was advised that this situation may lead
to challenges for me.
Nov 1st /2nd Keeley Moloney, the Residence Life Co-ordinator offered me a new room and
made arrangements for a temporary room. I made use of the temporary room.
Nov 1st My dad spoke with Molly Raffan (Manager, Residence Life), advising her of
my history and my dad's concern that this situation may lead to significant
challenges for me.
Nov 8th My dad and I met with Molly for a status update. I was informed that I
have a residence counsellor available, if required (Nadia).
Nov 9th I moved residence rooms, helped by floor mates.
Nov 10th My parents helped me settle into my new room.
Nov 12th Challenges with former floormates started.

January Challenges continued and escalated.
Jan 12th / 19th I tried to establish peer study group but was unsuccessful.
Jan 17th Meeting with Nadia
Jan 21st Nadia informed me of her referral to health services. Also, she provided
some external options for assistance. I reconnected with my Toronto
Therapist.
Jan 23rd Toronto Therapist session
Jan 31st Toronto Therapist session
Jan 31st Meeting with Nadia
Mar 4th Fatima reached out regarding referral. Suggests April 12th as a date.
Mar 6th Meeting with Nadia
Apr 16th Met with Dr. Ritsma & Nadia - Medical oversight starts