Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing to you today to request an academic appeal for a late drop in my ENSC 200 course instructed by Dr. Mira Hird. I have recently previously submitted an academic appeal for courses in the 2022 fall semester regarding extenuating circumstances concerning my mental health. I began seeking treatment for my mental health in February of 2022, at this time I was enrolled in three winter courses: DEVS 492, DEVS 354, & ENSC 200. At this point in February, I had missed completing some of my academic requirements in my enrolled classes. I dropped my DEVS 492 course before the drop deadline as my instructor and I agreed that considering this was a seminar class, my lack of class participation and involvement thus far would make it difficult for me to effectively complete the course. My instructor in DEVS 354, David McDonald, and I agreed on a plan going forward that would allow me to complete missed academic requirements and remain in the course. Dr. Mira Hird, the instructor of my ENSC 200 course, was insistent on waiting to speak with me until I had received accommodations from the queen??s accommodation office. Speaking with various academic advisors during the accommodations process had me under the impression that my request for accommodations for extenuating circumstances would be granted. However, I was misinformed by an advisor regarding the backdating of the diagnosis on my medical documentation. My documentation stated that the onset of my mental health issues began in September of 2021, which I was told by an advisor was sufficient documentation for my request. However, my request was later declined, and a new advisor explained to me that I was misinformed & my situation will not qualify for extenuating circumstances. She then advised me to apply for permanent accommodations through QSASS, which I did, my accessibility services advisor Meg Hall has been very helpful in explaining the process and has also provided me with permanent accommodations.
Unfortunately, due to my lack of understanding of how this process works and some miscommunication along the way, I was not able to receive an answer from Dr. Hird until I had submitted to her accommodation documentation which did not happen until this week. Dr. Hird believes that it is too late in the year for me to recover missed academic requirements, which at this point I believe is fair. Dr. Hird has advised me to apply for a late withdrawal from ENSC 200 which she says she will support.
I had stayed enrolled in ENSC 200 past the drop deadline as I was optimistic that I would be granted accommodations that could have helped me to finish the course. I believed that remaining enrolled in ENSC 200 and DEVS 354 would be optimal for my mental health as it would give me a lessened course load, but something to stay focused on. I have instead applied my efforts to DEVS 354 & will be looking to make up this credit in the summer. Going forward I should not be placing myself in situations like this as I have created a social safety net of support ranging from accessibility services advisor Meg Hall, a private counsellor and my parents. All of whom are now aware of my situation and are doing everything in their power to help me finish my time at Queens on a positive note.

Regards,

Jack Wilson