Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Studies,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to petition to add a course after the deadline for enrolment due to extenuating circumstances. This course is the Foundations of Political Theory (POLS 250) course, instructed by Dr. Colin Farrelly.

On September 6th, 2024, I experienced a traumatic event. The result of the traumatic event was the experience of significant emotional distress that prevented me from participating in any activities. As a result, I was not able to complete enrolment selections until Friday, September 13th, 2024. I was placed on a waiting list, and I was not able to enroll from the waiting list by the deadline. My final position on the waiting list was the second or third position. I am petitioning to add only this course because the remaining courses in my schedule could be added without a waiting list or I was added from a waiting list.

I am petitioning to add this course to complete my academic requirements for a Minor in Political Studies this term, and this course is not offered in the next term. This enrollment will result in one elective course for completion in the Winter 2024 term, in accordance with the academic plan that I have proposed in my appeal for an extension of an incomplete grade.

I have consulted with Dr. Colin Farrelly, and I have informed him of my interest in petitioning for the addition of this course. I have received confirmation of support from both Dr. Colin Farrelly and Dr. Rachel Laforest, the Undergraduate Chair in the Department of Political Studies at Queen's University.

To accommodate this addition, I will be withdrawing from a different course, the Social Aspects of Economic Issues (ECON 241) course. This withdrawal will facilitate a course load for this term that I can manage reasonably and maintain the feasibility of my petition for an extension of an incomplete grade. This withdrawal will not have any implications on my progress to complete the requirements of my degree.

I will not face significant challenges to maintain progress in this course because I have attended lectures regularly since Monday, September 16th, 2024, at the request and with the permission of Dr. Colin Farrelly. My consistent attendance and engagement with the course material will support my successful integration in this course.

My plan for academic success considers the extenuating circumstances and efforts to manage the effects of it on my academic performance. The acute effects of the extenuating circumstance have been managed with the assistance of relevant professionals, principally those who are counsellors, and my work with relevant professionals will be continued to ensure that my academic performance is supported and that there is not regression of effects of the traumatic event.

Thank you for your time and consideration of the information that I have provided in this letter of petition.

Regards,
Elizabeth Panos