Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12799
Submitted: February 27, 2025 at 11:10:49 AM
First Name: Marcie
Last Name: Costello
Pronoun: She/her
Preferred Name: Marcie
Student Number: 20380494
Email: 22ybd1@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: Psychology
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: Marcie Costello
560 Mermaid Crescent
Mississauga, ON L5G0B3
22ybd1@queensu.ca
#20380494
February 25, 2025
Associate Dean (Academic) Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Queen’s University
99 University Ave
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Subject: Petition for a Letter of Permission: request to take more than 6.0 units
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to formally request approval for a Letter of Permission to take three courses, each equivalent to 3.0 (9.0 units in total), at another institution in order to fulfill the requirements of my degree, here at Queen’s University. This need is as a result of little to no courses offered to me in order for me to fulfill my degree requirements. I am a distance student, and I have taken and completed all courses offered in the coming semester, leaving nothing new for me to take.
As a graduating student, it is unfortunate that these courses are not offered to students simply trying to complete their degree as it places students it a very stressful and time-consuming position to research and secure adequate courses for your approval. Since I have taken all the courses offered for the Queens Summer classes; it has been a challenging process to say the least.
Given that these courses are necessary for degree completion, I believe an alternative solution or additional course offerings within Queen’s would have better supported students facing this situation in light of the circumstances at Queens, or a more structured and more supportive format providing clear guidance to courses already approved. There are hundreds of us in this position, and the cost for each of these applications while on student loans AND a single parent is astronomical. Further, requesting syllabuses at other educational institutions is not professional or appropriate and was conveyed to me on multiple occasions as it is the “Professor’s teaching material only meant for current students”. Due to the limited offerings, this has also resulted in another semester of student loans, which is baffling.
I am making every possible effort to ensure the timely completion of my degree while balancing my other life responsibilities. Being granted this Letter of Permission would allow me to fulfill my academic requirements efficiently, and graduate as planned.
As I have had to pay for two separate LOP application fees while a single parent on student loans, and this cost was the same as a week’s worth of groceries, I hope that my insight provides some sense of restructuring so that other students do not need to experience what I have as noted above.
I sincerely hope my request is approved so I can complete my degree successfully. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Marcie Costello
#20380494
Third year student, Faculty of Arts & Science
Queen’s University
560 Mermaid Crescent
Mississauga, ON L5G0B3
22ybd1@queensu.ca
#20380494
February 25, 2025
Associate Dean (Academic) Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Queen’s University
99 University Ave
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Subject: Petition for a Letter of Permission: request to take more than 6.0 units
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to formally request approval for a Letter of Permission to take three courses, each equivalent to 3.0 (9.0 units in total), at another institution in order to fulfill the requirements of my degree, here at Queen’s University. This need is as a result of little to no courses offered to me in order for me to fulfill my degree requirements. I am a distance student, and I have taken and completed all courses offered in the coming semester, leaving nothing new for me to take.
As a graduating student, it is unfortunate that these courses are not offered to students simply trying to complete their degree as it places students it a very stressful and time-consuming position to research and secure adequate courses for your approval. Since I have taken all the courses offered for the Queens Summer classes; it has been a challenging process to say the least.
Given that these courses are necessary for degree completion, I believe an alternative solution or additional course offerings within Queen’s would have better supported students facing this situation in light of the circumstances at Queens, or a more structured and more supportive format providing clear guidance to courses already approved. There are hundreds of us in this position, and the cost for each of these applications while on student loans AND a single parent is astronomical. Further, requesting syllabuses at other educational institutions is not professional or appropriate and was conveyed to me on multiple occasions as it is the “Professor’s teaching material only meant for current students”. Due to the limited offerings, this has also resulted in another semester of student loans, which is baffling.
I am making every possible effort to ensure the timely completion of my degree while balancing my other life responsibilities. Being granted this Letter of Permission would allow me to fulfill my academic requirements efficiently, and graduate as planned.
As I have had to pay for two separate LOP application fees while a single parent on student loans, and this cost was the same as a week’s worth of groceries, I hope that my insight provides some sense of restructuring so that other students do not need to experience what I have as noted above.
I sincerely hope my request is approved so I can complete my degree successfully. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Marcie Costello
#20380494
Third year student, Faculty of Arts & Science
Queen’s University
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: I plan to take 3 courses, at 3.0 units each for a total of 9.0 units this next semester, which will fulfill my requirements for my psychology degree.
As a single parent, living on student loans, which covers less than half of my expenses per semester, and in my mid 40's, I am here as a result of my ex-husband's addiction (former UofT history professor), which left myself and our children with very little options financially. It has been a long and difficult journey, but one I am looking forward to completing and taking the next step in my career. I am currently a professional photographer (for fifteen years), and want to include psychology support to women in my studio that require the same kind of support I have.
Thank you for your kindness and consideration.
My plan is one I intend on seeing to fruition.
As a single parent, living on student loans, which covers less than half of my expenses per semester, and in my mid 40's, I am here as a result of my ex-husband's addiction (former UofT history professor), which left myself and our children with very little options financially. It has been a long and difficult journey, but one I am looking forward to completing and taking the next step in my career. I am currently a professional photographer (for fifteen years), and want to include psychology support to women in my studio that require the same kind of support I have.
Thank you for your kindness and consideration.
My plan is one I intend on seeing to fruition.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC