Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Studies,

I am writing this letter to appeal courses over the past two years due to the lack of accessibility services at Queens University for my preexisting disability and further serious health issues that may have arisen as a consequence thereof.

For context, when I was two years old, I was diagnosed with a neurosensory moderate bilateral hearing loss. Since Kindergarten, I always had support through an IEP and 504 in Canada, the UK and the US until college. The support allowed for the use of an FM amplification system, a noise-controlled classroom environment, 50 extra time in examinations, strategic seating for lipreading, advance notes from teachers, and so forth.

At the beginning of first year, I met with Jeanette Parsons in QSAS to discuss my needs. I received skeletal accommodations, was not granted any extra time and was also persuaded not to take closed captioning. The promised note-taking was erratic and inconsistent, I began to suffer from academic anxiety, my GPA halved from high school, and I felt rather unconsidered. I had also met with SASS and Tess Grant towards the end of the second semester to seek help, but they did not feel my issues warranted immediate attention.

Therefore, I am writing to appeal to Math 126 and Economics 110 from 2017-2018 for credit standing due to severe exam anxiety over the semester. I did not appeal these courses earlier, as I was unsure of what the process was and at the time, unaware of the fact that my depression and exacerbated health issues today stem from that period.

My mother accompanied me to visit both academic advising and Jeanette Parsons in QSAS at the start of second year. Still, eventually, no further changes were implemented to address my needs. My health condition became progressively worse, and I once again reached out to counselling in Student Wellness and started seeing Tess Grant bi-weekly. I tried my best to participate in all my tutorials but was gradually unable to attend lectures, concentrate on my readings, complete assignments, sleep properly and sometimes even leave the building towards the second term. Over time, I had no energy or motivation, became isolated from my peers and was unable to do everyday tasks and handle the stress of academics and university.

Therefore, I would also like to appeal EMPR 210 for credit standing, EMPR 230, POLS 110, WRIT 250 for Aegrotat standing and POLS 212 and DEVS 240 for a late-drop from second year. I would like to appeal EMPR 230, POLS 110, WRIT 250 for Aegrotat standing since I had high grades in both, except for only one outstanding assignment in each, which drastically lowered my grade. Academic credit and an updated grade would allow me to pursue higher-level courses in these areas next semester.

In June, I revealed to my parents how much I was suffering, sought professional help and was diagnosed with Major Depression by Dr. Jeff Daskalakis at CAMH in Toronto. In August, a further blood test revealed that I had an underactive thyroid. My thyroid levels were six times above the average range, and the family doctor and psychiatrist have stated that the depression and thyroid are likely interconnected and account for the adverse impact on my academic and physical functioning.

In July, I began medication for depression (Escilatopram 20mg) and in September for hypothyroidism (Synthroid 75mg), and both medications are being controlled and adjusted as needed. During the rest of the summer, I have worked on other skills to help me regain my confidence and ability to function optimally in my everyday environment. I have completed two online courses with academic success and did a month-long internship in a New York firm. Dr. Daskalakis advised reducing my course load for third year at Queen's and work on remediating the skills necessary to be successful in daily habits and life. I have also met with QSAS and reevaluated my accessibility needs beyond the hearing loss and Student Wellness so that they are aware of my health conditions if I need immediate counselling. I have also been set up with online CBT resources, a psychologist in the community and am continuing to see a psychiatrist in Toronto.

Moving forward, I intend to work on building myself, continue taking my medications, improve my functioning levels and utilize all the resources provided to me. Academically, I plan to take three courses this semester to establish that I can handle the work and gradually move back to a full course load.

I do hope you will grant my request for appeal and thank you for your consideration.

Yours Sincerely,

Aanandini Bambawale