Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Stephenson,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to formally request permission to drop two philosophy courses from the Fall 2024 semester; PHIL 246: Normative Ethics and PHIL 275: Thinking Gender, Sex, and Love. The circumstances surrounding my academic performance this semester have been deeply affected by personal trauma, and I am hoping you will consider my appeal in light of these significant challenges.
As I previously mentioned in my appeal regarding a summer course, the last year has been an incredibly difficult and painful one for me. Early in 2024, I discovered that my father had died by suicide in our basement. I was the one who found him…seeing his hanging body and being forced to experience the trauma firsthand. My mother and I rushed to cut the rope to see if we could revive him. In the midst of that, I frantically tried to follow instructions from paramedics over the phone to untie the rope, remove the tape from his mouth, and perform CPR, desperately attempting to save his life. Despite our best efforts, he passed away. This traumatic event left me reeling, with a profound sense of loss, confusion, and grief that continues to affect me to this day.
A few months later, in early 2024, my grandfather died suddenly from a heart attack. I found out that he passed away in the Stauffer Library, just after I had tried to return to a normal routine after the shock of my father's death. These compounded losses left me struggling to cope with the emotional and psychological aftermath. The intensity of the grief I was dealing with made it exceedingly difficult to function at a normal level, and I was unable to maintain my academic focus or fully participate in any aspect of my studies.
In addition to these losses, I had to undergo emergency jaw surgery in June, which left me bedridden for much of the summer. The surgery prevented me from completing the summer courses I had enrolled in, adding to the overwhelming stress and academic pressure that I was already under. By the time the Fall 2024 semester began, I was not emotionally or mentally prepared to return to school, and I struggled with even basic university responsibilities like attending classes, participating in tutorials, and engaging in office hours. I felt as if I were starting over as a first year student, attempting to relearn the dynamics of university life and trying to regain a sense of normalcy while grappling with the emotional fallout of the past months.
The trauma of this experience, in combination with everything else, has had a devastating effect on my emotional, psychological, and physical well being. It has significantly impaired my ability to focus, sleep, and engage in everyday activities, let alone meet the demands of a rigorous academic schedule.
The weight of everything I’ve been through has left me struggling to function in a meaningful way. Despite my best efforts, I was not able to perform at the level expected of a third year student. As a result, I have found myself in a position where I could not manage to keep up with the expectations for PHIL 246 and PHIL 275. Both courses suffered as a result, and I regret that I was unable to complete the assignments and engage in class discussions as I would have wanted to.
I reached out to Professor Jacqueline Davies, who teaches PHIL 275: Thinking Gender, Sex, and Love, to explain my situation. After our discussion, she advised me to formally drop the class, recognizing the toll these personal tragedies have taken on my ability to focus on my coursework. My other professors, as well as my teaching assistants and my student wellness counsellor, Vanessa, are all aware of my situation and are willing to provide letters of support for my appeal. If necessary, I am also prepared to provide documentation that verifies the events I have described in this letter.
I have been fortunate to have a supportive academic team, including Deb Bruce and Jenna Kring, who have been guiding me through this difficult period. They have given me advice on how to regain my academic focus and have helped me develop the tools I need to succeed, despite the personal difficulties I have faced. I am also seeing a therapist to help process these traumatic experiences and to work toward healing so I can continue with my studies and academic career. While the path to recovery is long, I am determined to persevere and regain my academic footing.
Given the emotional and psychological trauma I have experienced, I am requesting to drop PHIL 246 and PHIL 275 for the Fall 2024 semester. I believe that this will allow me the space I need to focus on my recovery and ultimately return to my studies with renewed energy and determination. I hope you will consider my appeal and take into account the unique and deeply personal circumstances I have faced this year. I would be deeply grateful for your understanding and support during this difficult time.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Anais Gouati
3rd-Year Political Science Student
Queen's University