Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 7747
Submitted: May 20, 2021 at 5:58:17 PM
First Name: Yasaman
Last Name: Shahidian
Student Number: 20051266
Email: y.shahidian@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BScH
Plan: PHYS - Astrophysics Specialization
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Code: BIOL 200
Term: Winter
Year: 2021
Petition Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Dr. Vicki Friesen
Code: MATH 111
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2021
Petition Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Dr. Peter Taylor
Code: BIOL 206
Term: Winter
Year: 2021
Petition Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Dr. Jannice Friedman
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: May 20th, 2021
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to you regarding an academic appeal for aegrotat standing grades. I am disappointed that I was unable to fully complete three of my courses this term due to extenuating circumstances.
As I began the winter semester, I felt that my health issues were under control and that they would not hold me back from school. Unfortunately, they did not stay under control throughout the semester. To give some context to my access to healthcare at the moment: I was referred to a specialist last summer. However, wait times were prolonged due to the pandemic. By the time I got my diagnostic appointment at the end of March, I had been on a waitlist to see a gastroenterologist for eight months.
This semester, my chronic health issues spiraled out of control. Everything worsened mid-semester. I struggled to have a decent quality of life. With the chronic pain, my mental health also took a turn for the worse. I found it difficult to cope, and I am still going through a period of worsened low mood. My poor mental health directly resulted in my inability to complete my courses. These circumstances do not reflect the strong effort and grades I have received before this point.
With aegrotat standing grades, my results will truly reflect my actual understanding of the coursework and the effort I have put into BIOL 200, BIOL 206, and MATH 111. I have spoken to each of my professors regarding my situation and my request for an AG grade. I have confirmed that they will be able to support an AG grade. As supporting documentation I have attached a letter from my therapist outlining my mental health through the semester.
I hope that you can see the work that I have put in regardless of the circumstance and approve my request. Please let me know if you require any additional information. I am available for contact via phone or email.
Sincerely,
Yasi Shahidian
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to you regarding an academic appeal for aegrotat standing grades. I am disappointed that I was unable to fully complete three of my courses this term due to extenuating circumstances.
As I began the winter semester, I felt that my health issues were under control and that they would not hold me back from school. Unfortunately, they did not stay under control throughout the semester. To give some context to my access to healthcare at the moment: I was referred to a specialist last summer. However, wait times were prolonged due to the pandemic. By the time I got my diagnostic appointment at the end of March, I had been on a waitlist to see a gastroenterologist for eight months.
This semester, my chronic health issues spiraled out of control. Everything worsened mid-semester. I struggled to have a decent quality of life. With the chronic pain, my mental health also took a turn for the worse. I found it difficult to cope, and I am still going through a period of worsened low mood. My poor mental health directly resulted in my inability to complete my courses. These circumstances do not reflect the strong effort and grades I have received before this point.
With aegrotat standing grades, my results will truly reflect my actual understanding of the coursework and the effort I have put into BIOL 200, BIOL 206, and MATH 111. I have spoken to each of my professors regarding my situation and my request for an AG grade. I have confirmed that they will be able to support an AG grade. As supporting documentation I have attached a letter from my therapist outlining my mental health through the semester.
I hope that you can see the work that I have put in regardless of the circumstance and approve my request. Please let me know if you require any additional information. I am available for contact via phone or email.
Sincerely,
Yasi Shahidian
Documentation
Professional Letter: Y. Shahidian Letter2.pdf
Professional Letter Detail: Letter from Therapist - Leah Reinhartz
Decision Letters
Level 1 Status
Status: DeniedLevel 2
Appeal Type: Level 2
ID: 3
Submitted: July 28, 2021 at 9:11:52 PM
Relevant Petition: 7747
Decision(s) Being Appealed: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses: BIOL 200, Winter 2021 (Dr. Vicki Friesen)
Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses: MATH 111, Fall/Winter 2021 (Dr. Peter Taylor)
Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses: BIOL 206, Winter 2021 (Dr. Jannice Friedman)
Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses: MATH 111, Fall/Winter 2021 (Dr. Peter Taylor)
Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses: BIOL 206, Winter 2021 (Dr. Jannice Friedman)
Appeal Letter
Appeal Letter: Dear Board of Studies,
I am writing a second-level appeal to provide more documentation and insight into my request for aegrotat standing grades. My health issues are ongoing and I am not at a level of functioning where I can complete my missed assessments at this time. My health journey has been continuously interrupted by long wait times between appointments and diagnostics, and I am still working with my doctors on my current treatment plan. I would have preferred to complete my examinations over the summer, but this exacerbation prevented me from being able to do so over the past months and currently. I have attached an off-campus note from my family doctor confirming my ongoing health issues, exacerbations that are continued, and debilitating symptoms. This documentation is in addition to my initial letter from my therapist detailing my mental health.
I am also doing my best to take care of my mental health as I go through these health struggles, especially after experiencing a traumatic event in May. During this event I witnessed an individual die. The traumatic stress from this event, combined with my ongoing health struggles, has greatly affected my productivity and capacity for academic work - this is an ongoing issue that has not been resolved. I am struggling with daily anxiety, compounded with anxiety from my chronic health issues. I am currently working on it through therapy. I am working to get back to a functional state but I am not there yet. I cannot estimate when I will be ok. I am asking for aegrotat standing grades so that I can show the work I am done for my courses.
This documentation is provided as discussed previously through email with Ms. Pamela Briand.
Sincerely,
Yasi Shahidian
I am writing a second-level appeal to provide more documentation and insight into my request for aegrotat standing grades. My health issues are ongoing and I am not at a level of functioning where I can complete my missed assessments at this time. My health journey has been continuously interrupted by long wait times between appointments and diagnostics, and I am still working with my doctors on my current treatment plan. I would have preferred to complete my examinations over the summer, but this exacerbation prevented me from being able to do so over the past months and currently. I have attached an off-campus note from my family doctor confirming my ongoing health issues, exacerbations that are continued, and debilitating symptoms. This documentation is in addition to my initial letter from my therapist detailing my mental health.
I am also doing my best to take care of my mental health as I go through these health struggles, especially after experiencing a traumatic event in May. During this event I witnessed an individual die. The traumatic stress from this event, combined with my ongoing health struggles, has greatly affected my productivity and capacity for academic work - this is an ongoing issue that has not been resolved. I am struggling with daily anxiety, compounded with anxiety from my chronic health issues. I am currently working on it through therapy. I am working to get back to a functional state but I am not there yet. I cannot estimate when I will be ok. I am asking for aegrotat standing grades so that I can show the work I am done for my courses.
This documentation is provided as discussed previously through email with Ms. Pamela Briand.
Sincerely,
Yasi Shahidian
Documentation
Document: Physician_Note_Yasi_Shahidian.PDF
History
Originally submitted May 20, 2021 at 5:58:17 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Incomplete | Spring Forsberg | 2021-05-25 4:01:20 PM | |
| status | N/A | Incomplete | In Review | Spring Forsberg | 2021-06-15 8:50:55 AM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Denied | Spring Forsberg | 2021-06-21 8:42:42 AM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D. | Spring Forsberg | 2021-06-21 8:42:42 AM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Spring Forsberg | 2021-06-21 8:43:31 AM | |
| new_appeal_level_2 | N/A | Level 2 | Level 2 Appeal ID: 3 | 16yrs | 2021-07-28 9:11:52 PM | |
| status | N/A | Received | In Review | Pamela Briand | 2021-07-29 3:39:57 PM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Granted | Pamela Briand | 2021-09-24 1:53:21 PM |