Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12057
Submitted: June 14, 2024 at 10:44:47 PM
First Name: Aya
Last Name: Louaye
Pronoun: She/ Her
Student Number: 20270106
Email: 20al64@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH Art and Science
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Level 1 Status
Status: DeniedLevel 2
Appeal Type: Level 2
ID: 283
Submitted: July 29, 2024 at 8:53:32 PM
Relevant Petition: 12057
Decision(s) Being Appealed: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Appeal Grounds
Appeals to the Board of Studies must include a letter based on one or more of the Grounds for Appeal (Appeal Regulation 3.4). What are the grounds you are basing your appeal on?
- The Associate Dean's decision did not follow the rules of procedural fairness. A breach of procedural fairness includes such things as the Associate Dean failed to:
- Make a reasonable decision in your appeal. A “reasonable” decision is one that is based on evidence, thought out and supported by facts and logical inferences from the facts. To be reasonable, the decision must contain adequate reasons for the conclusions.
Appeal Grounds Details: Dear Board Members,
I am writing in response to the letter I received from the Associate Dean regarding my appeal. The letter states that “petitions and appeals are only granted where there are significantly extenuating circumstances, which would merit the waiving of a particular Faculty regulation or decision. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student's control and debilitating to their academic performance.” I understand and respect this policy, and I highlighted these points in my appeal letter below.
The Dean's letter also acknowledged the multiple extenuating circumstances I have experienced, as detailed in my petition. However, it was mentioned that due to a lack of documentation confirming the impacts on my academic performance, my request could not be granted, “I acknowledge the multiple extenuating circumstances that you have experienced over the past several years as you reported within your petition letter however, as your petition did not include documentation to confirm impacts on your academic performance, I cannot grant this request.” I would like to explain that obtaining documentation from Morocco can be challenging due to different administrative systems. Moreover, to avoid causing unnecessary worry and disappointment to my family about my academic standing, I have been unable to gather certain documents. Additionally, as my brother is an adult, I am unable to request any documentation on his behalf without his consent which he is not willing to provide due to his embarrassment and much more.
I am actively working on obtaining some documentation and statements that can prove my financial contributions to my family, thereby supporting my claims of financial burden. I believe this documentation will further clarify the extent of my circumstances.
I sincerely appreciate the Associate Dean’s consideration and acknowledge their commitment to the well-being of all students. However, I believe that my situation is quite unique. Withdrawing from the university would significantly exacerbate my financial, mental, and familial stress. I firmly believe that continuing my studies, surrounded by my peers and doing what I love, will provide me with stability and well-being. Now that I have more resources and less burden, I see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to move forward positively.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration. I hope that my circumstances and efforts to provide further documentation can be taken into account.
I am writing in response to the letter I received from the Associate Dean regarding my appeal. The letter states that “petitions and appeals are only granted where there are significantly extenuating circumstances, which would merit the waiving of a particular Faculty regulation or decision. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student's control and debilitating to their academic performance.” I understand and respect this policy, and I highlighted these points in my appeal letter below.
The Dean's letter also acknowledged the multiple extenuating circumstances I have experienced, as detailed in my petition. However, it was mentioned that due to a lack of documentation confirming the impacts on my academic performance, my request could not be granted, “I acknowledge the multiple extenuating circumstances that you have experienced over the past several years as you reported within your petition letter however, as your petition did not include documentation to confirm impacts on your academic performance, I cannot grant this request.” I would like to explain that obtaining documentation from Morocco can be challenging due to different administrative systems. Moreover, to avoid causing unnecessary worry and disappointment to my family about my academic standing, I have been unable to gather certain documents. Additionally, as my brother is an adult, I am unable to request any documentation on his behalf without his consent which he is not willing to provide due to his embarrassment and much more.
I am actively working on obtaining some documentation and statements that can prove my financial contributions to my family, thereby supporting my claims of financial burden. I believe this documentation will further clarify the extent of my circumstances.
I sincerely appreciate the Associate Dean’s consideration and acknowledge their commitment to the well-being of all students. However, I believe that my situation is quite unique. Withdrawing from the university would significantly exacerbate my financial, mental, and familial stress. I firmly believe that continuing my studies, surrounded by my peers and doing what I love, will provide me with stability and well-being. Now that I have more resources and less burden, I see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to move forward positively.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration. I hope that my circumstances and efforts to provide further documentation can be taken into account.
Appeal Letter
Appeal Letter: Dear Board of Studies members,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request a reconsideration of the decision to withdraw from my studies for the upcoming academic year. I understand that my previous petition was not approved, and I appreciate the opportunity to provide further context and detail about my situation.
In my initial letter, I outlined some of the challenges I faced, including burnout and a lack of motivation. However, there were several significant personal and family issues that I did not mention in detail, which have greatly impacted my academic performance. I would like to take this opportunity to elaborate on these challenges and explain how recent positive changes in my life have alleviated many of these burdens.
One of the major issues I faced was the incarceration of my brother. As my family's primary financial and emotional support, I was under tremendous pressure to sustain his lifestyle and cover the costs associated with his situation and legal fees. I am relieved to share that he is now out of jail and has secured employment. This development has significantly lessened the financial strain on me, allowing me to redirect my focus and resources toward my studies.
Additionally, during the last exam season, my mother was hospitalized due to a growth on her back and required surgery. This unexpected medical issue was incredibly distressing and added both an emotional and financial burden as she needed time off work to recover. Thankfully, she has since made a full recovery and is back to work, which has eased the stress and responsibilities I was carrying.
Moreover, my grandmother recently underwent eye and stomach surgeries, which were also significant concerns for me. Her recovery and return to good health have lifted another emotional burden, contributing to a more stable family environment.
With these changes, I have been able to resign from one of my jobs, allowing me to rest and better prepare for the upcoming semester. No longer being the sole provider for my family means I can dedicate more time and energy to my academic pursuits. The financial and emotional burdens from my family have been particularly challenging as I am the only educated person in my family and often the main financial support in emergencies or difficult situations.
Another major source of anxiety has been my immigration status. I am pleased to inform you that I was fingerprinted earlier this month, and I am now awaiting the final results regarding my case. This progress has lifted a significant weight off my shoulders and provided me with a sense of security and stability that I have not felt in a long time.
Regarding my mental health, I have been meeting regularly with a counsellor who has provided invaluable support. These sessions have helped me navigate my feelings of anxiety, stress and my feelings towards my academic pursuits, leading to a better mental space and a renewed focus on my academic and personal goals.
To support my petition, I have attached a letter from my counsellor, who can attest to the progress I have made in managing my mental health. Additionally, I will soon provide a letter from a close friend who has witnessed my efforts and dedication to overcoming these challenges. I am also working on obtaining a letter from an academic counsellor, which I hope to submit in the near future.
In light of these recent developments and the progress I have made, I am eager to continue my studies and believe I am now in a much better position to succeed. I am committed to following through with my plan for academic success, which includes engaging more deeply with my coursework, regularly meeting with an academic counsellor, and continuing my studies in political science.
I respectfully request that you review my case and consider lifting the withdrawal decision. I am confident that with the challenges of the past addressed and the support systems I have put in place, I can achieve the academic success I strive for.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Aya Louaye
20270106
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request a reconsideration of the decision to withdraw from my studies for the upcoming academic year. I understand that my previous petition was not approved, and I appreciate the opportunity to provide further context and detail about my situation.
In my initial letter, I outlined some of the challenges I faced, including burnout and a lack of motivation. However, there were several significant personal and family issues that I did not mention in detail, which have greatly impacted my academic performance. I would like to take this opportunity to elaborate on these challenges and explain how recent positive changes in my life have alleviated many of these burdens.
One of the major issues I faced was the incarceration of my brother. As my family's primary financial and emotional support, I was under tremendous pressure to sustain his lifestyle and cover the costs associated with his situation and legal fees. I am relieved to share that he is now out of jail and has secured employment. This development has significantly lessened the financial strain on me, allowing me to redirect my focus and resources toward my studies.
Additionally, during the last exam season, my mother was hospitalized due to a growth on her back and required surgery. This unexpected medical issue was incredibly distressing and added both an emotional and financial burden as she needed time off work to recover. Thankfully, she has since made a full recovery and is back to work, which has eased the stress and responsibilities I was carrying.
Moreover, my grandmother recently underwent eye and stomach surgeries, which were also significant concerns for me. Her recovery and return to good health have lifted another emotional burden, contributing to a more stable family environment.
With these changes, I have been able to resign from one of my jobs, allowing me to rest and better prepare for the upcoming semester. No longer being the sole provider for my family means I can dedicate more time and energy to my academic pursuits. The financial and emotional burdens from my family have been particularly challenging as I am the only educated person in my family and often the main financial support in emergencies or difficult situations.
Another major source of anxiety has been my immigration status. I am pleased to inform you that I was fingerprinted earlier this month, and I am now awaiting the final results regarding my case. This progress has lifted a significant weight off my shoulders and provided me with a sense of security and stability that I have not felt in a long time.
Regarding my mental health, I have been meeting regularly with a counsellor who has provided invaluable support. These sessions have helped me navigate my feelings of anxiety, stress and my feelings towards my academic pursuits, leading to a better mental space and a renewed focus on my academic and personal goals.
To support my petition, I have attached a letter from my counsellor, who can attest to the progress I have made in managing my mental health. Additionally, I will soon provide a letter from a close friend who has witnessed my efforts and dedication to overcoming these challenges. I am also working on obtaining a letter from an academic counsellor, which I hope to submit in the near future.
In light of these recent developments and the progress I have made, I am eager to continue my studies and believe I am now in a much better position to succeed. I am committed to following through with my plan for academic success, which includes engaging more deeply with my coursework, regularly meeting with an academic counsellor, and continuing my studies in political science.
I respectfully request that you review my case and consider lifting the withdrawal decision. I am confident that with the challenges of the past addressed and the support systems I have put in place, I can achieve the academic success I strive for.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Aya Louaye
20270106
Documentation
Document: AL Letter of support JUN2024.pdf
I plan to submit additional documentation at a later date: I will be providing more documentation as soon as possible.