Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean of Arts & Science,
My name is José Andres Bordas and I am a first year student at Queen¿¿s University. I am currently studying in an undergraduate program for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours). I am appealing to drop ITLNP10 from the fall term in 2015 due to an extenuating circumstance of physical illness that was out of my control and thus affected my academic performance.
On November 15, 2015 I was playing soccer at Tindall Field at Queen¿¿s University. Nearing the end of the match, I hit my head against the goal post. Later that evening I immediately went to the Emergency at Kingston General Hospital where I was assessed by a doctor and she confirmed that I had a severe concussion. Soon after I contacted my professors to let them know I was unable to perform any academic tasks the following day, but I was told that I had to get a note from a health professional. I then went back to KGH the next day, however I was unable to get a note due to the absence of the necessary doctor, and I was then sent to Queen¿¿s Student Health the following day, which was Tuesday, November 17th. There I was reassessed by another doctor and I was given a verification of illness form which excused me from any activity, including class, for one week until I was re-examined at QSH. After a week I was given another verification of illness form and again given one week off from any academic or physical activity. Following that week I was once again given a verification of illness form, this time excusing me from the date I got that form, the 30th of November, to until I was to be reassessed again until further notice, which would be at some point in January 2016. My concussion continued to affect my physical, mental, and academic capabilities for the remainder of the fall term from November 15th to January 2016, and even now affects me during the winter term. Following each reassessment and visit to the doctor, I was told that I should not be subjecting myself to any strenuous mental and physical tasks. This included attending class, completing homework and assignments, taking notes, using a computer or any sort of electronic device, and physical exercise. I was told to rest as much as I possible and refrain from doing any unnecessary labour or activity. This would later affect my ability to remember things. I was unable to focus on very simple tasks as it would result in constant headaches or dizziness. Often times it would feel as if the room were spinning and sometimes even getting out of bed was a difficult task. As time went on my symptoms generally stayed the same. I was able to speak with all my professors and TAs and I always kept them up to date on my health status. They were all very understanding given that I would always provide them with the proper documentation they required. My professor in ITLNP10 told me that due to the time in which I suffered my concussion and my inability to attend class and/or do any work, she suggested for me to drop the course and then speak to an academic advisor about my next steps. After having dropped the course, which was already past the academic penalty deadline when I had initially suffered my concussion, I went to speak with an academic advisor who then told me about appealing the course so as to not have any academic penalty on my transcript. I then proceeded to follow her advice as soon as I felt that I was capable to write out this appeal. My concussion still continues to affect my academic capability even during the winter term as this physical illness is very tricky and can have repercussions at any given time.
Following having dropped this course and being aware of the steps I would have to take in the future, I have promised to continuously try to better myself both physically and mentally. I want to be able to thrive in school and meet my own academic expectations, as well as have the ability to put 100 of my effort into achieving these goals without any hindrances. I look at this as a situation that was out of my control, and rendered me almost useless in the sense that I was unable to accomplish what I wanted academically. I want to learn from what has happened and look forward to accomplishing what I could not before. By taking on a full year course every year from now on, I believe I will be able to finish what I need to do in order to get the full academic university experience that not only provides me with sufficient education, but a greater sense of responsibility and a more positive outlook on life . I will continuously maintain my health first of course, but with the idea of being able to move forward whenever the chance is given to me. Whether that be in a matter of days, weeks, or months, I will take that opportunity the moment I am able to.
Sincerely, José Andres Bordas
My name is José Andres Bordas and I am a first year student at Queen¿¿s University. I am currently studying in an undergraduate program for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours). I am appealing to drop ITLNP10 from the fall term in 2015 due to an extenuating circumstance of physical illness that was out of my control and thus affected my academic performance.
On November 15, 2015 I was playing soccer at Tindall Field at Queen¿¿s University. Nearing the end of the match, I hit my head against the goal post. Later that evening I immediately went to the Emergency at Kingston General Hospital where I was assessed by a doctor and she confirmed that I had a severe concussion. Soon after I contacted my professors to let them know I was unable to perform any academic tasks the following day, but I was told that I had to get a note from a health professional. I then went back to KGH the next day, however I was unable to get a note due to the absence of the necessary doctor, and I was then sent to Queen¿¿s Student Health the following day, which was Tuesday, November 17th. There I was reassessed by another doctor and I was given a verification of illness form which excused me from any activity, including class, for one week until I was re-examined at QSH. After a week I was given another verification of illness form and again given one week off from any academic or physical activity. Following that week I was once again given a verification of illness form, this time excusing me from the date I got that form, the 30th of November, to until I was to be reassessed again until further notice, which would be at some point in January 2016. My concussion continued to affect my physical, mental, and academic capabilities for the remainder of the fall term from November 15th to January 2016, and even now affects me during the winter term. Following each reassessment and visit to the doctor, I was told that I should not be subjecting myself to any strenuous mental and physical tasks. This included attending class, completing homework and assignments, taking notes, using a computer or any sort of electronic device, and physical exercise. I was told to rest as much as I possible and refrain from doing any unnecessary labour or activity. This would later affect my ability to remember things. I was unable to focus on very simple tasks as it would result in constant headaches or dizziness. Often times it would feel as if the room were spinning and sometimes even getting out of bed was a difficult task. As time went on my symptoms generally stayed the same. I was able to speak with all my professors and TAs and I always kept them up to date on my health status. They were all very understanding given that I would always provide them with the proper documentation they required. My professor in ITLNP10 told me that due to the time in which I suffered my concussion and my inability to attend class and/or do any work, she suggested for me to drop the course and then speak to an academic advisor about my next steps. After having dropped the course, which was already past the academic penalty deadline when I had initially suffered my concussion, I went to speak with an academic advisor who then told me about appealing the course so as to not have any academic penalty on my transcript. I then proceeded to follow her advice as soon as I felt that I was capable to write out this appeal. My concussion still continues to affect my academic capability even during the winter term as this physical illness is very tricky and can have repercussions at any given time.
Following having dropped this course and being aware of the steps I would have to take in the future, I have promised to continuously try to better myself both physically and mentally. I want to be able to thrive in school and meet my own academic expectations, as well as have the ability to put 100 of my effort into achieving these goals without any hindrances. I look at this as a situation that was out of my control, and rendered me almost useless in the sense that I was unable to accomplish what I wanted academically. I want to learn from what has happened and look forward to accomplishing what I could not before. By taking on a full year course every year from now on, I believe I will be able to finish what I need to do in order to get the full academic university experience that not only provides me with sufficient education, but a greater sense of responsibility and a more positive outlook on life . I will continuously maintain my health first of course, but with the idea of being able to move forward whenever the chance is given to me. Whether that be in a matter of days, weeks, or months, I will take that opportunity the moment I am able to.
Sincerely, José Andres Bordas