Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: 10010982
Kieran Sadler
Friday, 17 July, 2015


I am appealing to drop POLS244(W), POLS262(W), HIST250b (W) HIST206(W) and HIST257 (W) from my 2015 (W) academic course load.
The first issue that must be addressed is my failure to drop the above courses at an earlier point in the year, when it first appeared that my courses were not suited for me.
In many aspects of my life, when I encounter something that does not engage me, I will attempt to persist, be engaged, and salvage a negative situation. In some cases this approach yields positive results, in others, it does not. My failure to drop the courses, if anything, is a reflection of my failure to acknowledge my imminent disengagement from my 2015 (W) course selection.
The second issue of address is the reason as to why my appeal was not submitted by the predetermined date. At the end of 2015 (W) semester, I knew that my marks were too poor to be allowed outright back to school. I also realized that I had to ask myself some serious questions about my academic future, as the façade that I was going to be able to continue a program in politics, was clearly and definitively over. At that point (early summer), I had not received the correspondence from the school (although I completely acknowledge Queen's did send the notice of req. to withdraw in a timely manner) giving notice of my req. to withdraw, and therefore I took no immediate action. Had I been proactive, and searched for a solution to this problem earlier, maybe I would not find myself in the position I am now.
After a serious discussion with an academic advisor, I realize that If this appeal is granted, it will not be on the grounds of my disengagement from my program, but rather on my acknowledgement that I am prepared to completely revise my academic plan, willing to change course, and pursue a three year general degree in Environmental Science. Of the various courses I have taken in the past at this school, this subject is the one that outright motivates, and interested me the most. When I was taking Environmental Science electives I was much more motivated to attend lecture, and submit assignments, in comparison to my other current courses. Entering university I did not give the sciences any consideration, and this was a mistake because I have, and continue to enjoy, scientific content.
I would make this change by enrolling in BIO111 or BIO102, GPHY102, GEO104, GEO106, and GEO107.
I need 27 credits to graduate with a three-year general degree in ENSC. If this appeal is granted, it puts me on track to complete all my credits in approximately one year.
I ask that this appeal is granted, so I am not required to withdraw from Queens for one year. To do so, would be a devastating blow backwards for me not just academically, but at the personal, and family level as well. For the year that I would be required to withdraw from school, the only thing achieved would be wasting a full year that I could otherwise be attending classes, attaining credits, and completing what is necessary to graduate.
I care intensely about my future, and know that it is imperative that I finish my schooling in a timely manner. Second chances are rare, but I will ask for one with my pride in hand, because this school is where I want to be, doing what is necessary to complete my degree. I am motivated to graduate, and prepared to commit myself fully to attaining the credits necessary to do so. I ask that this appeal is granted, so I may remain in an academic environment where I am truly prepared to do what is necessary to complete my studies, and leave with a degree that is so close in reach.