Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Appeals Board Members:

I am appealing to you to express my urgent need to retroactively withdraw from courses I took as a first-year Arts and Science student in 2020-2021. In the months since, I have not been healthy enough to resume studies, or even attempt to navigate the appeals process.

I had previously hoped to resume my studies at Queen's, but through treatment I have learned I need to remain in Alberta where my support systems are.

Today, after intensive therapy and over a year of hard work dedicated to my mental and physical health, I'm healthy and am ready to return to university. However, I must hold fewer than 12 credits from Queen's in order to apply to the University of Calgary program for which I am eligible.

My circumstances are indeed extenuating, as outlined in the attached appeal letter. I sincerely hope you will read this document so you can understand my situation. Namely, a severe mental health crisis which began shortly after I began my studies at Queen's led my life down a path I never could have predicted.

While I understand that there is a time limitation for withdrawing from completed courses, I believe my situation warrants waiving of the deadline as explained to me by the student services team at Queen's. I did not want to give up on my dream of graduating from Queen's, and held fast to my goal until this spring, when it became clear that I needed to get healthy with the support of medication and my team of practitioners here in Calgary.

I understand that an essential aspect of this appeal is supporting documentation to present my case. Please see my attached personal experience letter, as well as letters from my doctor and therapists, to understand clearly how I developed debilitating depression in my first semester at Queen's.

Because lectures were delivered online, I returned home at Christmas and completed my first year from home. However, I was still trying to hide my depression from my friends and family, and it wasn't until I hit crisis point after beginning second year, that I finally sought the extensive treatment that I needed.

The grades I achieved, while passable, are in no way reflective of my abilities, but rather of the lowest point in my life. I didn't know how to get the help I needed; instead, I tried to keep going.

I now have the right care, a diagnosis, and strategies for success. I hope you will consider my request and grant retroactive withdrawal from Queen's courses so that I may begin the next chapter of my life in better health.

I eagerly await your response, as I hope to meet the fast-approaching deadline to apply for the Fall 2023 semester at the University of Calgary. I very much want to resume my academic life as soon as possible, and will only be eligible if this appeal is successful. Thank you for your understanding.


Sincerely,
Jackson Nash

Student : 20218527
Phone: 403-827-4839
Email: jf.nash17@gmail.com

Attachments:

1. Psychologist Letter 2022: From current practitioner, outlining my diagnosis, treatment plan, and support
2. Jackson Appeal Letter: timeline of how my health affected my studies at Queen's
3. Psychologist Letter 2020: Letter requesting residence change and support
4. Letter from family doctor: Outlining medication and mental health history
5. Psychologist Letter 2021: Outlining treatment in 2021-2022
I had intended to include emails to/from Queen's Student Wellness Services regarding academic accommodations as well as detailed assessment of testing to reveal diagnoses. However I was only able to include five documents with this appeal. I would be happy to provide these if helpful to my appeal. Thank you.