Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Associate Dean (Studies)
Queen¿¿s University


Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,

My name is Riley Wales and I am a third year Life Science student. I am appealing to drop a course that I took last semester (Fall, 2019). The course code is MICR360.

Over the fall semester, I sought help for mental health issues. During this time, I was prescribed different medications that made me feel very ill from side effects. I found it difficult to make it to classes due to the medications and along with my anxiety. I did not drop the MICR360 class before the drop deadline as I was not taking any medications before that time and did not know that I would be experiencing these extreme side effects. Alongside the sickness I was constantly feeling from trying new medications, I was still suffering from anxiety and having a hard time focusing, studying, and making it to classes. I also found exams difficult to write and concentrate on.

The reason I am only appealing the course I failed is because this course was dependent on me going to class. The course was all exam based, with no assignments outside of the lecture material for me to potentially do well on. I did not do well in one other course, and I also failed a final exam in another due to not being able to focus and study from my mental health condition. My anxiety made it extremely difficult to go to class, and focus on the material being presented to me. During this time, I was in the process of getting accommodations. It was busy and difficult for me to get in to see student accessibility services as they were booked up, and I ended up not receiving my accommodations for midterms and only had them for the final exam. Now that I have used my accommodations for final exams and midterms this semester, I realize how helpful they are to me, and what a difference they could have made for me in MICR360.

I have met with my doctor to try to find more solutions to my anxiety and medications. I am in therapy and will continue after my limited sessions with another therapist to ensure I am always seeking help and having treatment. I have met with Katherine Rudder, the life science advisor, and discussed different academic plans and the options I have. I have also decided that I will only take 4 courses each semester instead of 5, as 5 have been overwhelming and impacted my mental health greatly.

I am hoping that the failed MICR360 course can be dropped from my transcript, and I could potentially retake the course with my accommodations and ongoing medical treatment. I feel as though I received a failing grade when I ultimately know I could have done better if my anxiety was under control and the medications I was taking for it weren¿¿t a problem.

Thank you,

Riley Wales