Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12181
Submitted: August 10, 2024 at 3:33:10 PM
First Name: Alexander
Last Name: Makhmutov
Pronoun: He/Him
Preferred Name: Sasha
Student Number: 20235723
Email: sashamakhmutov@gmail.com
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: RELS
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the 21-day or one term deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Alexander (Sasha) Makhmutov / 20235723 / 20aem@queensu.ca
Letter to Associate Dean (Dr. Jenn Stephenson)
Petition for late course drop and Credit standing
a. Request
Dear Associate Dean,
This letter is regarding my submission for an academic petition for credit standing, as well as a petition for late course drops. My name is Alexander (Sasha) Makhmutov (20235723), and specifically, I am petitioning for credit standing for the winter term courses of my 2022 semester: BCHM 218 (D-) and PHGY 216 (D). I am also petitioning for late course drops for my other winter term courses of the same semester (2022): CHEM 282 (F), HLTH 200 (F), MICR 221 (F). I am currently going into my 5th year, in the BAH program striving to switch into BSH.
b. Explanation of Extenuating Circumstance
Since the beginning of my enrolment at Queen’s University, my family had begun enduring a family issue that had progressed and developed throughout my ongoing years of education here at this institution. This family issue regards my entire family, although more concisely my older sister, who is 25 and currently lives at home in my hometown with my family (my father, mother and two younger sisters). She has become mentally ill over the past couple years, beginning in 2021, and becoming more prominent in 2022.
It began with her ceasing any type of conversation or engagement with her close friends, to not speaking to family members at all. She began giving away and throwing out all her belongings, constantly sitting in the dark, speaking to herself, and saying very unusual and unsettling things. It was becoming clear that her mental state had become very unstable and very negatively driven.
This created a problem, as she was unable or restricted to do certain things. It had become harder and harder for her to eat and walk, as she physically and mentally could not get herself to leave the same spot she had been in and eat. This affected her health even further, becoming malnourished.
As she is staying with my family at home, my entire family, but most prominently my parents have been excessively trying to help her, through conversation, engagement, physical care, preparation of foods, scheduling physician and therapist appointments, trying to get her to the doctors, and offering anything and everything they possibly could to help. Despite all this effort, she actively denies any help from the doctors, therapists, my parents or anyone else in the family, setting in mind that we mean nothing to her.
Although without help, it is clear she would be unable to help herself, with her conditions. She had become unable to go to school because of her health and mental decline, which had led her to drop her education at UofT, and since has stayed home.
This situation has impacted myself profoundly throughout the years, as it had severely affected my mental and physical health. Seeing my sister get to the lowest state, amid all my family’s efforts in helping and caring for her, as well as her denial to any help offered, and denial of herself and my own family had deeply troubled me for a very long time. Over the years, I had become the closest with her out of my family, and would always talk to her, make food and eat with her, take her for walks outside, taken her to blood tests and have tried to convince her to go to the doctors with me. This had put a great weight on my shoulders, as part of my determination to care for my older sister, I had my own life and most importantly my education here in Kingston.
This had specifically affected me the most in the winter semester in 2022, when she has gotten to the lowest state, and it had become necessary for me to drive home for singular to multiple days to care for her, which would be very time consuming as driving home would take 2.5-3 hours, alongside the time I spent with her. All in all, my course load had become hard to handle, thinking it to be manageable, until it had gotten to the middle of the semester.
Onwards, from the beginning of February (dated feb 15th, 2022 on documentation) when I had gotten home for reading break till the end of the semester in April/ may (dated as May 5th on the Student Wellness Appeal documentation) it has taken a toll on my academics the most. In addition to caring for my sister, during this time (reading week), before midterms and any examinations, was also the only time that I could work and make money, teaching hockey and skating lessons, to pay for food, rent, and so on.
As a result, from my low marks during the winter semester of my 2nd year, I had been put onto academic probation. I had been devastated, as I truly wished to apply my full efforts into all my classes, as I very much took interest to the content of the material, as much as it was part of my plan of education. I then spoke to an academic advisor early August/ late September about my academic situation, my standing, as well as the best plan of action. She had recommended that I redo all the failed courses, including those that I had already passed, and take all electives to raise my GPA, in effort of getting back into my previous program, of Life Sciences.
At this time, I had not known about the possible action of applying for these petitions, the options to apply for Credit Standing and late course drops, and of the Student Wellness Center, hence I have done only as I had been advised. After the 1st (Fall) semester of the 3rd year, I had spoken to another academic advisor, Mrs. Spring, on Jan 10, 2023. She had kindly explained to me the possible actions I could take to help my education, and of the Student Wellness Center which aids students in mental support. I then spoke with student wellness, who listened and helped me a lot with my own feelings, and received the Academic appeal documentation (attached). To be sure of my future academic plan, I spoke to a career advisor from the Arts & Sciences department, who had told me not to apply for the petition and simply retake the courses again (as the time has already passed). I became very confused with what the best course of action would be, but hearing this information again from the department themselves I was sure it was the right call.
c. Future Plan
Fortunately, my sister has since the end of 2023 become much healthier and capable of caring for herself. And I have since heavily rethought my academic plan (in consideration of my grades and oppurtunity), done a lot of research, and have concluded that my goal is to switch into, Biology – Major (Science) – Bachelor of Science (Honours) by the end of Fall 2024 in November/December. I have enrolled in the necessary biology classes for the program, striving to raise my GPA above 1.9 (needed for switch), to be able to request a late-program switch through the biology, and the Arts & Sciences departments. I have taken and passed many courses needed such as (BIOL 102, BIOL 103, STAM 200, CHEM 281, MATH 121, as well as some classes pertaining to the BIOL_Subs_A, BIOL_Subs_B, let alone elective courses). I have found that my interest and strengths lie in the biology sciences, rather than chemistry, or any others, as well as believe the future careers options better suit me, and would overall make me happier. To confirm my plan, I recently, once again, reached out to advising department of Arts & Sciences, to run my plan by them, underlining my uncertainty about submitting an Appeal for late course drop. They agreed with my choice and advised me still to submit this petition, despite such a long time (and past the 1-year mark), mentioning I should also be petitioning against the the petition for the time. I understand I will have to apply great effort, let alone stay focused to do well, for which I vouch I am very eager and determined to give my all. So thankful of my sister’s well-being, I strive to excel to my best capabilities.
I would like to very much apologize for such a late petition, as it has truly had been my intention to do what’s best, but with so much happening, and so much uncertainty, I had gotten caught up in a tough part of my life. Furthermore, I would like to apologize for the length of this letter, as I had tried to keep it concise, yet informative enough, with a lot I wanted to state and express.
I appreciate any help and advice you could provide in advance,
Sincerely,
Sasha
Letter to Associate Dean (Dr. Jenn Stephenson)
Petition for late course drop and Credit standing
a. Request
Dear Associate Dean,
This letter is regarding my submission for an academic petition for credit standing, as well as a petition for late course drops. My name is Alexander (Sasha) Makhmutov (20235723), and specifically, I am petitioning for credit standing for the winter term courses of my 2022 semester: BCHM 218 (D-) and PHGY 216 (D). I am also petitioning for late course drops for my other winter term courses of the same semester (2022): CHEM 282 (F), HLTH 200 (F), MICR 221 (F). I am currently going into my 5th year, in the BAH program striving to switch into BSH.
b. Explanation of Extenuating Circumstance
Since the beginning of my enrolment at Queen’s University, my family had begun enduring a family issue that had progressed and developed throughout my ongoing years of education here at this institution. This family issue regards my entire family, although more concisely my older sister, who is 25 and currently lives at home in my hometown with my family (my father, mother and two younger sisters). She has become mentally ill over the past couple years, beginning in 2021, and becoming more prominent in 2022.
It began with her ceasing any type of conversation or engagement with her close friends, to not speaking to family members at all. She began giving away and throwing out all her belongings, constantly sitting in the dark, speaking to herself, and saying very unusual and unsettling things. It was becoming clear that her mental state had become very unstable and very negatively driven.
This created a problem, as she was unable or restricted to do certain things. It had become harder and harder for her to eat and walk, as she physically and mentally could not get herself to leave the same spot she had been in and eat. This affected her health even further, becoming malnourished.
As she is staying with my family at home, my entire family, but most prominently my parents have been excessively trying to help her, through conversation, engagement, physical care, preparation of foods, scheduling physician and therapist appointments, trying to get her to the doctors, and offering anything and everything they possibly could to help. Despite all this effort, she actively denies any help from the doctors, therapists, my parents or anyone else in the family, setting in mind that we mean nothing to her.
Although without help, it is clear she would be unable to help herself, with her conditions. She had become unable to go to school because of her health and mental decline, which had led her to drop her education at UofT, and since has stayed home.
This situation has impacted myself profoundly throughout the years, as it had severely affected my mental and physical health. Seeing my sister get to the lowest state, amid all my family’s efforts in helping and caring for her, as well as her denial to any help offered, and denial of herself and my own family had deeply troubled me for a very long time. Over the years, I had become the closest with her out of my family, and would always talk to her, make food and eat with her, take her for walks outside, taken her to blood tests and have tried to convince her to go to the doctors with me. This had put a great weight on my shoulders, as part of my determination to care for my older sister, I had my own life and most importantly my education here in Kingston.
This had specifically affected me the most in the winter semester in 2022, when she has gotten to the lowest state, and it had become necessary for me to drive home for singular to multiple days to care for her, which would be very time consuming as driving home would take 2.5-3 hours, alongside the time I spent with her. All in all, my course load had become hard to handle, thinking it to be manageable, until it had gotten to the middle of the semester.
Onwards, from the beginning of February (dated feb 15th, 2022 on documentation) when I had gotten home for reading break till the end of the semester in April/ may (dated as May 5th on the Student Wellness Appeal documentation) it has taken a toll on my academics the most. In addition to caring for my sister, during this time (reading week), before midterms and any examinations, was also the only time that I could work and make money, teaching hockey and skating lessons, to pay for food, rent, and so on.
As a result, from my low marks during the winter semester of my 2nd year, I had been put onto academic probation. I had been devastated, as I truly wished to apply my full efforts into all my classes, as I very much took interest to the content of the material, as much as it was part of my plan of education. I then spoke to an academic advisor early August/ late September about my academic situation, my standing, as well as the best plan of action. She had recommended that I redo all the failed courses, including those that I had already passed, and take all electives to raise my GPA, in effort of getting back into my previous program, of Life Sciences.
At this time, I had not known about the possible action of applying for these petitions, the options to apply for Credit Standing and late course drops, and of the Student Wellness Center, hence I have done only as I had been advised. After the 1st (Fall) semester of the 3rd year, I had spoken to another academic advisor, Mrs. Spring, on Jan 10, 2023. She had kindly explained to me the possible actions I could take to help my education, and of the Student Wellness Center which aids students in mental support. I then spoke with student wellness, who listened and helped me a lot with my own feelings, and received the Academic appeal documentation (attached). To be sure of my future academic plan, I spoke to a career advisor from the Arts & Sciences department, who had told me not to apply for the petition and simply retake the courses again (as the time has already passed). I became very confused with what the best course of action would be, but hearing this information again from the department themselves I was sure it was the right call.
c. Future Plan
Fortunately, my sister has since the end of 2023 become much healthier and capable of caring for herself. And I have since heavily rethought my academic plan (in consideration of my grades and oppurtunity), done a lot of research, and have concluded that my goal is to switch into, Biology – Major (Science) – Bachelor of Science (Honours) by the end of Fall 2024 in November/December. I have enrolled in the necessary biology classes for the program, striving to raise my GPA above 1.9 (needed for switch), to be able to request a late-program switch through the biology, and the Arts & Sciences departments. I have taken and passed many courses needed such as (BIOL 102, BIOL 103, STAM 200, CHEM 281, MATH 121, as well as some classes pertaining to the BIOL_Subs_A, BIOL_Subs_B, let alone elective courses). I have found that my interest and strengths lie in the biology sciences, rather than chemistry, or any others, as well as believe the future careers options better suit me, and would overall make me happier. To confirm my plan, I recently, once again, reached out to advising department of Arts & Sciences, to run my plan by them, underlining my uncertainty about submitting an Appeal for late course drop. They agreed with my choice and advised me still to submit this petition, despite such a long time (and past the 1-year mark), mentioning I should also be petitioning against the the petition for the time. I understand I will have to apply great effort, let alone stay focused to do well, for which I vouch I am very eager and determined to give my all. So thankful of my sister’s well-being, I strive to excel to my best capabilities.
I would like to very much apologize for such a late petition, as it has truly had been my intention to do what’s best, but with so much happening, and so much uncertainty, I had gotten caught up in a tough part of my life. Furthermore, I would like to apologize for the length of this letter, as I had tried to keep it concise, yet informative enough, with a lot I wanted to state and express.
I appreciate any help and advice you could provide in advance,
Sincerely,
Sasha
Documentation
Professional Letter: AM Appeal Doc JAN2023.pdf
Document: AM Appeal Doc JAN2023-0.pdf