Petition Letter
Katherine Dionne
569 Dean Drive
Cornwall, ON
(613) 362-7878
katherine.dionne97@gmail.com
June 5th, 2018
Associate Dean (Studies)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen¿¿s University
Kingston, ON
Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to request a full refund of all my courses in this past winter term. For medical reasons, I was forced to drop them. I have struggled with mental illness for the past twelve years of my life and this makes school quite challenging for me. I have been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder, which always affects my ability to attend my classes in the winter term ¿¿ the most difficult part of the year for me. This past winter, I was faced with a situation in which I had to undergo a new treatment and a new medication to treat another disorder, one I am currently in the process of obtaining a diagnosis of. As a result, I was unable to continue on in my classes. This decision was made on February 1st, when I consulted my healthcare professional. She provided me with documentation. I was nervous and hesitant to write an appeal, as I am uncomfortable with disclosing this information which is partly why I am only writing it now. I was in a very similar situation in the winter term of 2017 and my academic performances suffered. I did not prioritize my mental health as much at the time, and therefore did not drop my courses as I thought I could complete them. I spoke with an academic advisor earlier in the winter term of 2018 and she suggested I obtain documentation to submit an appeal to remove my failed courses from my transcript. I was waiting to obtain this documentation from my healthcare professional but will not be able to see her until later this summer, and I did not want to submit multiple appeals. However, upon further reflection I have decided to submit this appeal now and will deal with the one for the winter of 2017 once I obtain the documentation. I am confident that this new treatment will help me get through the coming winter term and am planning on seeking out counselling through the university over the next few months. I plan on continuing my degree full time in the fall of 2018. Having taken the time off that I needed, I am much more stable and capable of completing and doing well in all my courses as I have done in the past.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my letter and consider my request. I trust you will understand my situation.
Sincerely,
Katherine Dionne
569 Dean Drive
Cornwall, ON
(613) 362-7878
katherine.dionne97@gmail.com
June 5th, 2018
Associate Dean (Studies)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen¿¿s University
Kingston, ON
Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to request a full refund of all my courses in this past winter term. For medical reasons, I was forced to drop them. I have struggled with mental illness for the past twelve years of my life and this makes school quite challenging for me. I have been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder, which always affects my ability to attend my classes in the winter term ¿¿ the most difficult part of the year for me. This past winter, I was faced with a situation in which I had to undergo a new treatment and a new medication to treat another disorder, one I am currently in the process of obtaining a diagnosis of. As a result, I was unable to continue on in my classes. This decision was made on February 1st, when I consulted my healthcare professional. She provided me with documentation. I was nervous and hesitant to write an appeal, as I am uncomfortable with disclosing this information which is partly why I am only writing it now. I was in a very similar situation in the winter term of 2017 and my academic performances suffered. I did not prioritize my mental health as much at the time, and therefore did not drop my courses as I thought I could complete them. I spoke with an academic advisor earlier in the winter term of 2018 and she suggested I obtain documentation to submit an appeal to remove my failed courses from my transcript. I was waiting to obtain this documentation from my healthcare professional but will not be able to see her until later this summer, and I did not want to submit multiple appeals. However, upon further reflection I have decided to submit this appeal now and will deal with the one for the winter of 2017 once I obtain the documentation. I am confident that this new treatment will help me get through the coming winter term and am planning on seeking out counselling through the university over the next few months. I plan on continuing my degree full time in the fall of 2018. Having taken the time off that I needed, I am much more stable and capable of completing and doing well in all my courses as I have done in the past.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my letter and consider my request. I trust you will understand my situation.
Sincerely,
Katherine Dionne