Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Dorit Naaman, Associate Dean of Academics,

I am a first year student at Queen’s University, and am submitting a “Request to Waive a Petition Deadline”, with regards to a “Requirement to Withdraw” for one year (RTW1) that I received from the University.

I unfortunately missed the deadline to petition the Faculty’s decision that I must withdraw for one year. I did not see or open the email containing the RTW until the evening of Monday, June 16. I would appreciate the opportunity to explain why.

I was diagnosed with ADHD and dysgraphia at the age of eight, and have in the past used various medications to address these issues. At the beginning of my Grade 12 year, I decided to stop my ADHD medication due to their negative side effects. My final academic year was very successful: I gained early admission to Queen’s with a 95% entrance average, and was awarded a Principal's Scholarship by the University. In my most recent psycho-educational assessment in March 2024, my diagnosis of ADHD and dysgraphia was once again confirmed, but also highlighted significant signs of anxiety and depression. At the time, I thought I could continue to manage without medication.

This past year, however, has proven more difficult than I could have imagined. The day before I moved into Brant residence, I underwent surgery to repair a shattered wrist, requiring the insertion of both plates and pins. The recovery was difficult and painful, and my incision was repeatedly infected throughout the year. I was in a cast for months which impacted my ability to sleep, type, take notes, and complete daily activities. It also adversely affected my mood.

In addition, I applied for and intended to complete a degree in Mathematics; however, as the first semester progressed, I started to doubt if this was the right program for me. I dropped Math 110 and Math 120, and switched my intended major to Economics.

Meanwhile, towards the end of the Fall, my family experienced significant occupational stress, resulting in an international move from Hong Kong to Toronto in February 2025, after more than 10 years of living abroad. The move was unanticipated and extremely stressful for me and my family, and I was unable to say goodbye to my friends and life in Hong Kong. I hid my deteriorating mood and poor academic results from my parents so as not to add to the stress.

I knew my grades were going to be poor, but I am devastated with my final results. After the semester ended, I returned to Toronto, but I have not lived here in over 10 years, and have lost all social connections that I once had with the neighbourhood. The friends that I made at Queen’s all live in Ottawa. To be honest, I have been quite lonely and depressed since my return. The anxiety about my pending results was immobilizing. I have been avoiding discussing my academic progress with my family, and have not been responsible in checking my emails and staying on top of any of my responsibilities. I recognize this pattern of avoidance and challenge with organizational skills as a major symptom of my ADHD. It is for this reason that I missed the email notification from Queen’s regarding the deadline to petition the “Requirement to Withdraw for One Year”, until I finally saw it on the evening of Monday, June 16. The following morning, my mother and I drove to Kingston in order to speak in person with an Academic Advisor (Heather Carter), and to obtain some guidance on this matter.

I recognize I need to radically change my approach for next year, and even prior to receiving the “Requirement to Withdraw”, I made an appointment with my new family doctor to discuss resuming my ADHD medication. In addition to new ADHD meds, she feels I may benefit from medication to assist with my mood and anxiety, which she will continue to assess. On June 4, I also connected with the ADHD Possibilities Clinic in Toronto, and am on a waitlist for an assessment to determine how they might assist me in being more academically successful. I am also in the process of finding a therapist, and am exploring the support services offered by Queen’s (I currently receive accommodations, and have also used the services at PASS).

I have attached my last psycho-educational report for your review, which details my diagnoses of ADHD and dysgraphia, and signs of anxiety and depression. Also attached is an email correspondence from my mother to a psychologist from early in the Winter term, as she was concerned about my academics and mental health. My family doctor has prepared a letter for your review, highlighting the medical side of my petition. Additionally, we have included hospital records from Hotel Dieu with respect to my wrist injury.

In determining whether to waive the petition deadline and allowing me to proceed to the appeal phase, I wish for you to know this: my mother graduated from Queen’s (ArtSci ‘93), my brother graduated from Queen’s (Commerce ‘24), and Queen’s is the only university I have ever wanted to attend. My deepest regret is not acting sooner to address my mental health and academic issues. I know I am capable of so much more than my last year’s track record. I sincerely hope you allow me to show you.

Sincerely,

William Tas