Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean

My name is Benny Fulton and I am about to enter my third year at Queens University. Although I have loved my Queens experience so far I have had some ups and downs along the way. Throughout my life I have dealt with some extremely difficult times, when I was four years old I was diagnosed with leukemia cancer. Fortunately, I survived but chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant significantly stunted my growth making me smaller and appear young for age. Even though I experienced something as difficult as cancer I can truthfully say that my second year in university was the most difficult year of my life after I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression disorder. I have always heard about people suffering from anxiety and depression but never really could understand it, until I got it. I couldn¿¿t believe how much it could take control of my life. I couldn¿¿t be in a room with my life long friends without worrying about what I am going to say. I would stay up all night trying to rationally think what is wrong with me. Due to the lack of sleep I was unable to attend my early morning classes and would feel so uncomfortable in small tutorial situation always thinking people are judging me. I knew something was seriously wrong when I couldn¿¿t even enjoy my biggest passion in life, music. I couldn¿¿t play or listen to music without feeling upset as to why I was enjoying it. I Realized that it was time to get help so I began attending weekly therapy with Dr. Kris Thiele, telling my family and friends what has been going on, and was prescribed medication from Dr. Campbell at the Lassalle walk in clinic. I began getting my life back on track.

I wish to appeal for a credit standing (CR) in the following courses; PHIL 111B, MUSC 171, POLS 211, POLS 212, and MUSC 289. When I started feeling better after attending therapy, taking medication, and talking to people I slowly began getting back to my old self and accepting myself for who I am. In the process I started focusing more on things that made me happy such as hanging out with friends and family and playing music and sports. However, in the process I stopped paying attention in school as I was so concentrated on myself. I realize now that in life you need to have a balance of friends and family, extracurriculars, and achieving the grades I know I am capable of. Currently I am in a POLS BA program but I would like to transfer into the BAH program to graduate with my fellow peers. It still gives me a lot of anxiety having to tell my friends that I am in the BA program when they are all in the BAH program. I know now with a clear mind and my past experience working over the summer as a Human Resource intern at McCain Foods Ltd I am able to succeed in the BAH program.

For my third year my goal is to maintain a balanced lifestyle by continuing therapy, using medication, spending time to the things I love, and really buckle down in school. I want to thank you for taking the time to consider my appeal and if you decide to grant me the CR I look forward to proving you that it was the right decision.

All the best,
Benny Fulton