Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Members of the Academic Appeals Committee,
I am writing to respectfully appeal the decision requiring me to withdraw from my program for one year. I understand that you have reduced it from three years to one year, and I am thankful for the accommodations already laid out by the committee.
Regarding my programming at Queen’s, I have tried my best to pass the classes required for me to graduate. I have passed all the required needs to graduate except for the GPA, which as of this moment is at 1.190. This year has been more challenging than most; my chronic illness, which I have managed throughout my academic career, significantly worsened. In addition, I received a new medical diagnosis that required intensive treatment and adjustment, further affecting my physical and mental capacity to engage fully with my coursework.
Simultaneously, I endured the loss of a close family member and was unable to travel home to go to the funeral.
Additionally, during the academic year, the Teaching Assistant strike disrupted access to timely support, feedback, and grading in several of my courses. The back and forth between the teachers and students of the classes I was in left us scrambling for support and feedback for other assignments. Despite these setbacks, I have tried my best to remain on top of my studies the best I can. I believe that if granted the opportunity to remain in my program, I can succeed with appropriate academic accommodations and support, especially now that I am actively managing my medical conditions and receiving the necessary care.
I am asking the committee to reconsider the required withdrawal and instead allow me to continue my studies with academic support or probationary standing. I am submitting what documentation I have currently, with further documentation being submitted on June 16 as I wait to hear back from some of my medical professionals.
Thank you for your consideration and time.
Amy Owen