Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To

Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Associate Dean
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queens University

Noura Sleiman
10095714
Life Sciences
Queens University
noura.sleiman@queensu.ca
May 27, 2025

Re Petition to waive the requirement to withdraw

Dear Dr. Stephenson,

Thank you for the opportunity to petition. I am writing to respectfully petition the requirement to withdraw from Queen’s University for one year. I am requesting consideration as my academic performance and success were severely impaired due to unforeseen extenuating circumstances. These circumstances were completely beyond my control and were unpreventable. As a result, my ability to participate in coursework and maintain academic standing was significantly hindered.

I would respectfully like for you to consider that in 2023, I made the conscious and responsible decision to voluntarily take some time off of my studies, as I had just gotten married and had a baby and recognized that I was not able to keep up with academics as well for the time being. When I returned in 2024, I did so with a refreshed mindset and determination. I enrolled in a full course load after being informed that the online arts and science program is being discontinued; such that I would be able to complete my degree on time while I was still able to do so.

However, during the term, the war in Beirut, Lebanon broke out. Beirut is home to my family- my immediate family- my brother who was studying there at the time and was unable to get out. This resulted in immense stress, lack of sleep, and the sickening feeling of truly not knowing if I would hear from my brother the next morning or not. Please understand that I am writing this with a very heavy heart and that I would never use such a traumatic and serious circumstance lightly. This troublesome time severely affected my academic performance and my ability to concentrate and keep up with my academic responsibilities.

I was still determined to continue especially since there were ongoing discussions about a potential ceasefire, and there was some hope that the situation would soon improve. I sought help from counselling services and submitted documentation to my professors. Most courses were accommodating, and I did my best to keep up with the work. However, by the time the deadline to drop courses without an academic penalty had passed, I was already behind due to everything happening. At that point, I believed I could still recover with the support of some of my instructors, but the continued instability made it difficult to fully catch up and that was reflected in my grades.

With the ceasefire, at the end of the term, things got a little better, but the stress was still there as there were still random targeted bombings in the region where my family was. To add to the unfortunate circumstances, I dealt with a very serious domestic personal issue that resulted in me seeking further counselling assistance. As this is a very personal matter, I kindly wish not to go into detail due to its sensitive nature, but I have provided the supporting documentation from Dr. Khanna whom I have spoken to regarding this matter. Should I be required to explain more for my petition to be valid- I am willing to do so, however, I was kindly advised that mentioning it briefly would be okay along with my supporting documentation.

I please ask you to consider that these very destabilizing events were entirely out of my control, and while they have subsided, they affected me severely and that was what led to my lack of academic success. What makes me feel like I can continue successfully, should I be granted the opportunity, is that my family has since relocated and is living safely where war is not even a possibility and that I am seeking ongoing counselling for my personal matter. I am currently registered in summer courses and am very happy to say that the lowest grade I have gotten thus far is a B. I am doing very well and have already made significant progress.

I would also like to briefly mention that some of the F’s on my transcript were not due to poor academic performance- but were due to my failure to drop the courses in a timely manner since I would not be participating. I understand that a failure carries academic consequences regardless of the reason and I take full responsibility for this, but I am mentioning it to clarify that these grades do not reflect my academic ability when I am able to fully engage.

In conclusion, I would like to kindly say that I am in no way making excuses for my poor standing, I am very committed to completing my degree, should I be granted the opportunity, and with the stability I now have, I am confident that I am capable of meeting and exceeding expectations as I have already begun doing this spring-summer semester.

I respectfully ask that you consider the effect these traumatic circumstances had on my academic performance and respectfully wish for the opportunity to continue my studies this upcoming academic year.

Sincerely,

Noura Sleiman