Petition Letter
Dear Committee,
I am writing to submit an appeal to drop a course after the last official date for dropping classes, in the Winter term of this year. This in fact, includes 2 courses that I was enrolled in at the same time which were equally impacted. I thank you in advance for granting me the opportunity to explain my extenuating circumstances which hindered my ability to be successful in completing the courses, having passed the deadline before realizing that I would have to drop them entirely.
I enrolled myself into both the Anatomy & Physiology course, as well as the Pharmacology course as a non-degree interest student, to work towards being successfully accepted into the Online BHSc program at Queens. Entering this program has been of profound importance to me, as it is something that I have been aspiring towards for many years and to have it available online, makes it possible for me to accomplish. It aligns perfectly with my profession in clinical education.
Shortly after the courses started in January, I underwent surgery (February 25th) to have something removed from my breasts that was making me ill. I had developed several symptoms that were hindering my cognitive capabilities, presenting me with vertigo and nausea as well as chronic migraines and anxiety. For this reason, I was able to get in sooner than I expected. I was hoping to use this downtime to be able to focus on these courses during my recovery, of which I was advised that it would be quite extensive. For that reason, I was pulled off work for 6 weeks. Following the surgery, I was in a great deal of pain. I had run into complications which made me have to return for further assessment, and a substantial increase in pain medication. During my second re-assessment, I was advised not to take anything on, to be in bed, not move around very much and simply to focus on the recovery. The recovery was strenuous, and I was even finding it difficult to sit up on a chair at a table for 30 minutes. I communicated with my professors to advise them of what was happening (with the help of my husband), and they were incredibly understanding, having even tried to make it realistic for me to continue. Two days after the cut off date to drop out of the course, I ended up officially dropping it. I had a letter from the surgeon, and I believe I also sent some aligning images. Although I really did not want to drop the courses, I was unable to keep up which was a tough reality to accept. The surgery in the long hall has been the best decision for my health, but the recovery was significantly more difficult than I had ever imagined - physically, emotionally, and psychologically. To this day, I am still awaiting feeling on the sides of my chest due to the extensive tissue damage that substantiated from the surgery, and it has now been 7 months post-op.
I would like nothing more than to take these courses again, and have the failing grade eliminated from my file as it will impact my chances to get into the Online BHSc program, and further, it is not an accurate representation of my capabilities. The company I work for is financially supporting my education and having a failing grade will mean that I will also be personally responsible for paying it back, and perhaps have them pull the financial support entirely.
I am appealing my case to you today, in hopes that you will see my situation as incredibly circumstantial and beyond my control, that my intentions to successfully complete the courses were there, and that I would like nothing more than to be accepted into the full degree program. I would like the chance to start them both from the beginning and work towards an optimal grade, which I know I am fully capable of achieving. In addition, I am also hoping that I can use the payment that was made for these courses to be enrolled in them again.
I profoundly appreciate your time and consideration. I am happy to answer all questions that may help my appeal and can contact the surgical clinic for further validation if necessary. I have since been following the advice given by the surgeon through several post-op consults in order to get back to a more regular routine. With the Covid-19 pandemic surfacing one month after the surgery, I decided to hold off on appealing my case until now, as I am certain that I'm ready to return to my studies effective immediately.
Thank you once again for considering my appeal.
Giselle Curcio
I am writing to submit an appeal to drop a course after the last official date for dropping classes, in the Winter term of this year. This in fact, includes 2 courses that I was enrolled in at the same time which were equally impacted. I thank you in advance for granting me the opportunity to explain my extenuating circumstances which hindered my ability to be successful in completing the courses, having passed the deadline before realizing that I would have to drop them entirely.
I enrolled myself into both the Anatomy & Physiology course, as well as the Pharmacology course as a non-degree interest student, to work towards being successfully accepted into the Online BHSc program at Queens. Entering this program has been of profound importance to me, as it is something that I have been aspiring towards for many years and to have it available online, makes it possible for me to accomplish. It aligns perfectly with my profession in clinical education.
Shortly after the courses started in January, I underwent surgery (February 25th) to have something removed from my breasts that was making me ill. I had developed several symptoms that were hindering my cognitive capabilities, presenting me with vertigo and nausea as well as chronic migraines and anxiety. For this reason, I was able to get in sooner than I expected. I was hoping to use this downtime to be able to focus on these courses during my recovery, of which I was advised that it would be quite extensive. For that reason, I was pulled off work for 6 weeks. Following the surgery, I was in a great deal of pain. I had run into complications which made me have to return for further assessment, and a substantial increase in pain medication. During my second re-assessment, I was advised not to take anything on, to be in bed, not move around very much and simply to focus on the recovery. The recovery was strenuous, and I was even finding it difficult to sit up on a chair at a table for 30 minutes. I communicated with my professors to advise them of what was happening (with the help of my husband), and they were incredibly understanding, having even tried to make it realistic for me to continue. Two days after the cut off date to drop out of the course, I ended up officially dropping it. I had a letter from the surgeon, and I believe I also sent some aligning images. Although I really did not want to drop the courses, I was unable to keep up which was a tough reality to accept. The surgery in the long hall has been the best decision for my health, but the recovery was significantly more difficult than I had ever imagined - physically, emotionally, and psychologically. To this day, I am still awaiting feeling on the sides of my chest due to the extensive tissue damage that substantiated from the surgery, and it has now been 7 months post-op.
I would like nothing more than to take these courses again, and have the failing grade eliminated from my file as it will impact my chances to get into the Online BHSc program, and further, it is not an accurate representation of my capabilities. The company I work for is financially supporting my education and having a failing grade will mean that I will also be personally responsible for paying it back, and perhaps have them pull the financial support entirely.
I am appealing my case to you today, in hopes that you will see my situation as incredibly circumstantial and beyond my control, that my intentions to successfully complete the courses were there, and that I would like nothing more than to be accepted into the full degree program. I would like the chance to start them both from the beginning and work towards an optimal grade, which I know I am fully capable of achieving. In addition, I am also hoping that I can use the payment that was made for these courses to be enrolled in them again.
I profoundly appreciate your time and consideration. I am happy to answer all questions that may help my appeal and can contact the surgical clinic for further validation if necessary. I have since been following the advice given by the surgeon through several post-op consults in order to get back to a more regular routine. With the Covid-19 pandemic surfacing one month after the surgery, I decided to hold off on appealing my case until now, as I am certain that I'm ready to return to my studies effective immediately.
Thank you once again for considering my appeal.
Giselle Curcio