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Petition Type: New
ID: 12581
Submitted: January 7, 2025 at 1:55:14 PM
First Name: Tariq
Last Name: Obeidi
Pronoun: he/him
Preferred Name: Tari
Student Number: 5775586
Email: 7to3@queensu.ca
Degree Program: B.A.
Plan: B.A. Poli Sci
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I am writing to request permission to proactively reach out to Athabasca University to complete 9 units toward my B.A. in Political Science at Queen's University. I would like to provide a brief overview of the extenuating circumstances that have led to this request.
I immigrated to Canada in 2005 and initially moved from Toronto to Kingston to work with the peace support mission of the Canadian Armed Forces. In 2007, I joined Queen's University to pursue a B.A. in Political Science, believing this would enhance my career. The mission project concluded in 2011, and throughout my time at Queen's, I was only able to manage part-time enrollment due to my shift-work full-time employment. As a result, my grades varied, and I was never fully able to apply myself solely to my academics.
During this period, I also had the responsibility of looking after my wife, who was pursuing her undergraduate degree in psychology and did not work, as well as supporting my 10-person family overseas. Despite my efforts to resume my studies after the project ended, I had to find new employment, which further hindered my academic progress. Eventually, my family and I moved closer to Toronto, and I often reflected on my unfinished degree, hoping to close that chapter.
I regret not taking the opportunity to advance my studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in the summer of 2024, I made the decision to return to Queen's University and complete my degree. Being away from academia for 13 years posed challenges, as system changes were unfamiliar to me. Simple course registration resulted in delays, reduced course loads, and courses that did not align with my interests.
Given that I now reside in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), I am unable to enroll in on-campus courses and must rely on the limited course offerings from the Arts and Science list. Despite these challenges, I performed well in all of the courses I took in the fall of 2024, which positively impacted my overall GPA. I am still required to take the final exam for Macro Economics, scheduled for next week. Currently, I have 18 units remaining to complete my degree and have enrolled in 9 units for the winter 2025 term. While I am on the waitlist for an additional 6 units, I am uncertain whether I will successfully enroll in these courses.
Throughout my academic journey, I have matured significantly and demonstrated a strong commitment to my studies. I am currently in a financially stable position, which allows me to take time off work to focus on completing my degree. For these reasons, I am hopeful to finalize everything in the winter 2025 term.
To ensure I complete my degree in time for this year's convocation, I kindly request permission to enroll in 9 units at Athabasca University. This will allow me to set an example for my son and demonstrate that one is never too old to pursue their dreams.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Tariq Obeidi
I immigrated to Canada in 2005 and initially moved from Toronto to Kingston to work with the peace support mission of the Canadian Armed Forces. In 2007, I joined Queen's University to pursue a B.A. in Political Science, believing this would enhance my career. The mission project concluded in 2011, and throughout my time at Queen's, I was only able to manage part-time enrollment due to my shift-work full-time employment. As a result, my grades varied, and I was never fully able to apply myself solely to my academics.
During this period, I also had the responsibility of looking after my wife, who was pursuing her undergraduate degree in psychology and did not work, as well as supporting my 10-person family overseas. Despite my efforts to resume my studies after the project ended, I had to find new employment, which further hindered my academic progress. Eventually, my family and I moved closer to Toronto, and I often reflected on my unfinished degree, hoping to close that chapter.
I regret not taking the opportunity to advance my studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in the summer of 2024, I made the decision to return to Queen's University and complete my degree. Being away from academia for 13 years posed challenges, as system changes were unfamiliar to me. Simple course registration resulted in delays, reduced course loads, and courses that did not align with my interests.
Given that I now reside in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), I am unable to enroll in on-campus courses and must rely on the limited course offerings from the Arts and Science list. Despite these challenges, I performed well in all of the courses I took in the fall of 2024, which positively impacted my overall GPA. I am still required to take the final exam for Macro Economics, scheduled for next week. Currently, I have 18 units remaining to complete my degree and have enrolled in 9 units for the winter 2025 term. While I am on the waitlist for an additional 6 units, I am uncertain whether I will successfully enroll in these courses.
Throughout my academic journey, I have matured significantly and demonstrated a strong commitment to my studies. I am currently in a financially stable position, which allows me to take time off work to focus on completing my degree. For these reasons, I am hopeful to finalize everything in the winter 2025 term.
To ensure I complete my degree in time for this year's convocation, I kindly request permission to enroll in 9 units at Athabasca University. This will allow me to set an example for my son and demonstrate that one is never too old to pursue their dreams.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Tariq Obeidi
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: In consultation with my academic advisor, I have confirmed that I am meeting the degree requirements for Political Science courses at Queen's University. I only need 9 more units to fulfill the general education elective requirements for my B.A. To achieve this, I plan to enroll in these 9 units through Athabasca University. This will provide me with the necessary flexibility as I am only able to take online courses due to my current residency in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Enrolling in these courses will allow me to complete my degree in time for this year's convocation and demonstrate my commitment to academic excellence and lifelong learning.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC