Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Dr. Stephenson,

My name is Laura Stapley and I am a third-year student majoring in Global Development, minoring in English Language & Literature and am taking the online Law Certificate. I am writing this letter of appeal to withdrawal from two courses (DEVS 340 & ENGL 237) without academic penalty.

In the second week of school, I became aware of a confidential issue that resulted in many absences, an inability to complete schoolwork, and physical & mental health issues that have been ongoing all semester. I was suddenly faced with making an extremely important, moral decision involving my body that has since severely impacted several aspects of my life such as my family and personal relationships, my mental and physical health, and my education. I took steps to receive medical attention from the Women's Clinic at KGH and was able to meet with Allison LaVigne, a personal counsellor who provided me with a Verification of Confidential Extenuating Circumstance form. Looking back on the situation, I should have received help much earlier but due to the nature of the circumstance, I was unsure of who could help me or how I could receive help.

During this semester, I attempted to keep up with my schoolwork even though I was unable to work to the best of my abilities. I decided to drop one course (DEVS 280) earlier in the semester with the belief that I could catch up and focus on completing the semester if I was not taking a full course-load. I tried my best to complete schoolwork despite still dealing with physical and mental health issues and through my accommodations and working with my professors, I was able to catch up on some missed assignments and lectures. I am currently working with my professors to ensure that I will complete two classes this semester - LAW 202 (online) & CLST 203.

I am typically a hardworking and dedicated student and I believe my past grades in both university and highschool reflect this, however, in my two classes where attendance is incorporated in the grade distribution and is required, I've realized that I have missed too many classes, assignments and readings to be able to pass them. I have tried my best to catch up in these two courses (DEVS 340 & ENGL 237), but I have been unrealistic with my abilities due to my extenuating circumstances and have received poor grades in these two classes ranging from zero to barely passing. These two courses that I am seeking to withdrawal from are required/crucial to my degree and I would be extremely grateful if I could be given this opportunity to withdrawal from them without academic penalty and re-take them in the future so that I can fully understand, enjoy and appreciate the course content. I understand now that I should have taken steps to receive help much earlier, however, I had unrealistic expectations for myself and ultimately I was setting myself up for failure. Currently, I would fail these two courses, which would be detrimental to my overall GPA and I fear that this would greatly affect my future, as I do wish to pursue a Master's.

To resolve the issues that I have struggled with this semester, I took some time away from school to focus on my physical health and mental health. I am taking steps to receive counselling through Student Wellness Services with Allison LaVigne when needed and am exploring the TAO (Therapy Assistance Online) Programme to help with the struggles I've had with my mental health as a result of this extenuating circumstance. I am planning to take full course loads for my remaining semesters and will take online courses in the summer of 2020 to ensure that I receive all my remaining credits before graduating in 2021. I believe that I can achieve this, and have made myself aware of the many resources that Queen's offers to their students and will utilize them better in the future. Furthermore, I have emailed my professors and teaching assistants offering them my sincere apology and explanation for my behaviour this semester and most importantly to thank them for all their work and for being extremely understanding of my situation.

I understand this is a very busy & stressful time of the year but I want to thank you for your time and for considering this appeal.

Sincerely,
Laura Stapley
Student Number: 20066290
16lgs@queensu.ca