Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing as a student of Computer Science at Queen’s University, requesting your assistance regarding a matter that has deeply impacted my academic performance.

My first year at the university was a tumultuous period in my life due to my father's severe health issues. He was a constant presence in my life, embodying the values of perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge. He was my anchor and my compass, consistently guiding and supporting me. His encouragement was instrumental in my decision to pursue higher education, a privilege he himself never enjoyed but ardently wished for me. His faith in the transformative power of education was infectious and has been a driving force in my academic journey.

However, my father suffered from diabetes and its ensuing complications, leading to a series of hospitalizations and surgeries. These medical complications, including an ostomy bag operation and its subsequent failure, led to a prolonged hospitalization period. Amidst this, he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent further surgeries and radiation treatments. I became his primary caregiver during this time, a responsibility I embraced with love and duty, but one that nonetheless presented considerable challenges in managing my studies effectively.

In October of my first year at university, he transitioned to palliative care, and unfortunately, he passed away in January of last year. This loss has left a profound void in my life. His absence is felt in every aspect of my day-to-day, and the grief compounded the mental health challenges I was already grappling with. I have attached a letter from my therapist, which further explains the impact this has had on my mental health.

These circumstances adversely affected my academic performance in my first year, resulting in grades that are not indicative of my true potential. As such, I am requesting the expungement of my first-year grades from my academic record or a credit rating. I am aware of the gravity of this request, but I assure you that it stems from a place of wanting to fairly represent my academic abilities, which were significantly compromised due to these extreme personal hardships.

I deeply appreciate your time and understanding in considering this request. I am aware that when I applied for an appeal last year, I was notified that such actions are rarely taken and are not to be used to manage an ongoing challenge, yet I hope that my situation justifies this extraordinary measure. I have since been working on my academic plan since August and have been succeeding in my courses, and am currently planning on applying to transfer to engineering and would like to have my university transcript fairly represent my academic abilities. Thank you for your attention to this matter and I eagerly await your positive response.

Thank you so much,
Jennifer Farrell