Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom This May Concern,

I am writing this appeal to drop Professor Fanning??s DEVS 220 Fall 2022 course after the academic deadline due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control. These circumstances include severe mental health struggles, specifically: generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder including a months-long ongoing depressive episode, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I have only recently received a written ADHD diagnosis from my psychiatrist, therefore, while the disorder has been affecting my ability to complete coursework, I have been unable to receive accommodations in the past due to the lack of proper documentation.
My ADHD has been present throughout the entirety of my years at Queen??s, though I struggled to acquire a diagnosis until the end of December, 2022. I have also been in a major depressive episode since October of 2022. These two conditions have affected my ability to complete my coursework in several ways, such as: feelings of hopelessness and lack of motivation; loss of interest in activities (such as class and course work); tiredness and lack of energy (even small tasks requiring extra effort); insomnia and excessive sleeping; executive dysfunction; poor organizational skills; time blindness and forgetting deadlines (or handing in late assignments); inattention and poor concentration (including trouble thinking and remembering things); problems starting, focusing on, and finishing tasks; trouble paying attention to detail and often making careless mistakes; problems completing tasks requiring sustained mental effort, and more.
My symptoms of depression and ADHD??specifically, although not limited to: executive dysfunction, time blindness, lack of energy and motivation, poor organization and memory??have impacted my ability to hand in my work on time, or at all, in Professor Fanning??s course. For example: I handed in my final narrated presentation 9 days late, therefore failing the assignment that I would have received an 80% on, due to a 4% per day late penalty. I also was unable to complete my journals for the course, which were worth 50% of my overall grade. My anxiety disorder and lack of a written diagnosis prevented me from reaching out to Professor Fanning for possible extensions on assignments as I knew I lacked any supporting documentation to submit alongside my request.
I have worked with doctors and mental health specialists throughout my fall semester to receive multiple mental health diagnoses, and have been advised by my psychiatrist to seek academic accommodations for my final semester. My psychiatrist and family doctor are working together to create a treatment plan for me, which includes medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. I plan to file for academic accommodations for my winter semester and attempt to get back on track with my academics now that I am able to receive proper medical care. I have filed this appeal as per Professor Fanning??s recommendation, and I thank you for your consideration of my request to drop DEVS 220 past the academic deadline. I have attached supporting documentation along with my appeal letter.

Sincerely,
Aynsley Rae