Petition Letter
Associate Dean
Queen¿¿s University
94 University Avenue
Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6
Dear Associate Dean,
I am currently writing this letter of appeal to you to drop my STAT 263 course (Winter, 2018). I am a 4th year Biology student in the Arts and Science faculty, en route to graduation this coming May. The reason for this appeal is due to external factors that were beyond my control and are of a personal nature.
During week 7 of my winter 2018 semester, extenuating circumstances arose and negatively impacted by self, and ability to maintain the current workload that I have taken on. This was of a very person a nature and I have been advised by Barb Lotan (Queen¿¿s Human Rights), and Laurie Hooke (SWS-CS Crisis) that I do not have to disclose particulars. This matter, however, the last 2 weeks of my semester have caused a great deal of emotional instability. While writing the STAT 263 midterm in week 7, I could not focus on the topic without thinking of the case, and ended up leaving half of the midterm blank. At first, I thought perhaps I could over compensate for my lack of concentration by working harder, and seeking a tutor. I have in fact tried both routes, however I really believe that I will no longer be able to balance my course load, and handle the current circumstances.
Unfortunately, I was unable to drop this course within the specified timeline, mostly because the issue had come about almost at the exact same time as the deadline. When first faced with this situation, I truly believed I could try and handle it all. Unfortunately, this hasn¿¿t been a realization until this week, which is now week 8. I have passed the deadline to drop, however it¿¿s in my best belief that removing this course from my schedule will only bring me improved health.
As of right now- I am enrolled in 6 courses worth of class (I say it like this, because my 5th course is my undergraduate honours thesis in biology, which is worth 2 courses worth of credits). STAT 263 for me, counts for 0 course credits, and is an additional course in my course load. As of right now, I am having a difficult time stretching myself thin over this size of a course load while going through this time at current. This pains me as a hard-working student, to admit defeat in this way, where I know had the semester gone to plan, I would have completed all courses I have originally enrolled in.
To lose STAT 263 as a course, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. This course, since it is exclusionary to my previous statistics course (BIOL 243), provides me with no credits. Should I drop this course, I will still have all credits to graduate this May.
I have sought the help of an on-campus psychiatrist to help me through my difficult time. Going forward, should I be able to successfully remove this extra course from my plate, I am going to continue to seek counselling services to help guide me emotionally. With the extra time I will have without STAT 263, I can continue to focus all the attention I can spare to ending my undergraduate degree on a positive note.
I have thoroughly loved time as an undergraduate at Queen¿¿s University, and it means a lot to me to be able to finish my degree feeling sound and achieving the highest marks I can. Unfortunately to achieve this, I believe with all of my being that it requires me to reduce my academic load down to the normal size. I would greatly appreciate compassion and understanding at this time, two emotions I have certainly received from this wonderful institution in the past. I am aware of the potential consequences of dropping this course at this time, but I genuinely believe that the benefits of dropping STAT 263 far outweigh and negate any potential costs; these benefits will support both my emotional state, as well as my academic standing.
Sincerely,
Kennedy Everitt
Queen¿¿s University
94 University Avenue
Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6
Dear Associate Dean,
I am currently writing this letter of appeal to you to drop my STAT 263 course (Winter, 2018). I am a 4th year Biology student in the Arts and Science faculty, en route to graduation this coming May. The reason for this appeal is due to external factors that were beyond my control and are of a personal nature.
During week 7 of my winter 2018 semester, extenuating circumstances arose and negatively impacted by self, and ability to maintain the current workload that I have taken on. This was of a very person a nature and I have been advised by Barb Lotan (Queen¿¿s Human Rights), and Laurie Hooke (SWS-CS Crisis) that I do not have to disclose particulars. This matter, however, the last 2 weeks of my semester have caused a great deal of emotional instability. While writing the STAT 263 midterm in week 7, I could not focus on the topic without thinking of the case, and ended up leaving half of the midterm blank. At first, I thought perhaps I could over compensate for my lack of concentration by working harder, and seeking a tutor. I have in fact tried both routes, however I really believe that I will no longer be able to balance my course load, and handle the current circumstances.
Unfortunately, I was unable to drop this course within the specified timeline, mostly because the issue had come about almost at the exact same time as the deadline. When first faced with this situation, I truly believed I could try and handle it all. Unfortunately, this hasn¿¿t been a realization until this week, which is now week 8. I have passed the deadline to drop, however it¿¿s in my best belief that removing this course from my schedule will only bring me improved health.
As of right now- I am enrolled in 6 courses worth of class (I say it like this, because my 5th course is my undergraduate honours thesis in biology, which is worth 2 courses worth of credits). STAT 263 for me, counts for 0 course credits, and is an additional course in my course load. As of right now, I am having a difficult time stretching myself thin over this size of a course load while going through this time at current. This pains me as a hard-working student, to admit defeat in this way, where I know had the semester gone to plan, I would have completed all courses I have originally enrolled in.
To lose STAT 263 as a course, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. This course, since it is exclusionary to my previous statistics course (BIOL 243), provides me with no credits. Should I drop this course, I will still have all credits to graduate this May.
I have sought the help of an on-campus psychiatrist to help me through my difficult time. Going forward, should I be able to successfully remove this extra course from my plate, I am going to continue to seek counselling services to help guide me emotionally. With the extra time I will have without STAT 263, I can continue to focus all the attention I can spare to ending my undergraduate degree on a positive note.
I have thoroughly loved time as an undergraduate at Queen¿¿s University, and it means a lot to me to be able to finish my degree feeling sound and achieving the highest marks I can. Unfortunately to achieve this, I believe with all of my being that it requires me to reduce my academic load down to the normal size. I would greatly appreciate compassion and understanding at this time, two emotions I have certainly received from this wonderful institution in the past. I am aware of the potential consequences of dropping this course at this time, but I genuinely believe that the benefits of dropping STAT 263 far outweigh and negate any potential costs; these benefits will support both my emotional state, as well as my academic standing.
Sincerely,
Kennedy Everitt