Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom this may concern:

I am writing to ask for permission for a ¿¿Late Drop¿ of my failed courses during my first year at Queen¿¿s University.

During the 2018-2019 academic year (my first year at Queen¿¿s) I had become a victim of domestic and sexual abuse/assault. The incident occurred in the place I felt most comfortable at Queen¿¿s, which was my dorm room on campus (my home for the year). These extenuating circumstances had taken a toll on my physical emotional and mental being and stunted my academics. I ended up failing and needing to retake many of my first-year courses as this incident left me feeling vulnerable, ashamed and confused. Not knowing who to go to, and too scared to tell a parent or authority figure I spiralled into a deep depression and had social anxiety. I had stopped eating regularly (surviving mainly on caffeine), started to sleep through the days and would stay awake anxious through the night, this schedule made completing school work and attending lecture difficult, while attending tutorials (where I needed to speak among a group, with everyone looking at me, very difficult). I had tried to reach out to my TA¿¿s about my inability to attend tutorial due to my depression and anxiety, but found that I was given the same answer, a link to the Queens hospitality and resources hotline.

After appealing the Dean¿¿s decision to withdraw from the university for one year. Dean Stephenson had mentioned that if I am able to show considerable growth that she may consider dropping my failed courses from the year prior.

Although it is hard to ever fully recover from domestic and sexual abuse, I feel as though I have resolved my circumstances and have seen both personal and academic growth over the past year. I can assure you that my circumstances are now being managed affectively. This past school year my energy had been forced on getting back on track in my academics. I have taken the necessary steps to seek help whenever I need it both academically and mentally. I had retaken all necessary Year 1 courses and significantly improved my grades in these courses. I am making an active effort to work grow and heal for that situation. I am currently taking three Level 2 summer courses this summer to catch up and get on track with my academics. I have a passion for politics and social issues. My involvement in these issues goes beyond my studies- I am currently on the Exec of both Daughter¿¿s For Life (which raises money for women¿¿s education in the Middle East) and UNICEF (which focuses on social issues that children in developing countries face) at school because I feel it important to educate young people on social issues.

In terms of my Academics I am hoping to pursue a major in Global Development Studies and a Minor in Genders Studies as well as a Certificate in the Employment Relations Certificate as I am both interested and have been rather successful in these areas of studies. When contacting the department head(s) they said that they would grant me access to these programs if I was able to successfully appeal my failed courses.
I would like to drop the following ¿¿F¿¿s¿ from my record:
- ENGL 100
- HIST 121
- SOCY 122
I had also retake POLS 110 and ask that if I would be able to remove the Fail from my record with the updated grade (from when I had retaken in the past academic year).
I feel as though I have shown considerably growth during the 2019-2020 Academic Year and have shown immense progress academically, doing my best to get back on track and make up for the time lost due to this incident.

In terms of my mental health, I have been actively seeking support from the school¿¿s sexual violence councillor Barb Lotan. As the 2020/2021 school year is having an unorthodox start, I plan to use her as a resource as well as the other resources available to me. I plan on keeping a routine and to ensure my overall success this coming school year. I feel as though I have resolved my circumstances and will be able to handle the workload.

If any further details of my circumstance are needed, please advise.

Sincerely,

Gitika Sachdev