Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing to formally request permission to drop HLTH 334 from my academic record due to significant extenuating circumstances beyond my control that substantially and directly impacted my ability to participate in and complete the course requirements during the Fall 2025 term.
This request is made with great care and after considerable reflection. I take my academic responsibilities very seriously and have consistently demonstrated strong academic commitment throughout my studies. However, during the Fall 2025 semester I experienced a convergence of serious medical and legal circumstances that made it impossible for me to meaningfully engage with this course.

First, during the Fall 2025 term I underwent urgent surgery that resulted in a prolonged recovery period. Following the procedure, I experienced severe mobility limitations and required significant assistance with basic activities of daily living. During this time, I was unable to walk independently and required extended recovery support, which significantly disrupted my ability to attend classes, complete coursework, and maintain normal academic functioning.

Simultaneously, I was required to participate in an ongoing criminal court process in Ottawa. I was subpoenaed to testify in a criminal trial involving a family member who sexually abused me throughout my childhood. This legal process required my physical presence in Ottawa for extended periods and involved extensive preparation with Crown Attorneys and Victim Support Services the entire Fall 2025 semester.

The trial itself spanned December 8–12, with additional court appearances scheduled in January and February. While I was initially informed that my testimony might be limited to certain dates, the situation remained unpredictable. It was uncertain whether I would be recalled to testify on subsequent days, which required me to remain available and continue travelling to Ottawa.

Beyond the logistical disruptions, this process involved significant emotional and psychological strain. Preparing to testify about deeply traumatic experiences required multiple meetings with legal professionals and victim support teams, and the unpredictability surrounding the proceedings created ongoing distress during the academic term.

The combination of post-surgical recovery, mobility limitations, court obligations, and the emotional impact of the trial created circumstances that made it extremely difficult for me to fully engage in HLTH 334. Despite my best efforts to manage these challenges, the cumulative impact significantly interfered with my academic capacity during the course.

Throughout this period, I actively sought support and took steps to manage these circumstances responsibly. I have been working closely with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS), Student Wellness Services, and a sexual assault therapist. I am also supported by the Crown Attorney assigned to my case and by Victim Support Services. I have obtained and will submit official documentation to verify these circumstances, including my subpoena to court and a Verification of Extenuating Circumstances (VEC) from Student Wellness Services and QSAS.

Importantly, I have discussed this situation with my course professor, who has expressed full support for this petition and for my request to drop the course given the severity and duration of my circumstances.

These events were entirely outside of my control, persisted across the majority of the semester, and directly prevented me from meeting the academic requirements of HLTH 334 despite my strong commitment to my studies. Under normal circumstances, I maintain a high academic standing and take my academic responsibilities very seriously. However, the intersection of serious physical injury, legal obligations, and trauma-related psychological distress made it impossible for me to complete this course in a fair or reasonable manner.

For these reasons, I am respectfully requesting that HLTH 334 be removed from my academic record through this petition. I am deeply committed to my academic program and intend to continue my studies with full engagement once my circumstances stabilize.

I am prepared to provide supporting documentation, including medical documentation related to my surgery and recovery, as well as documentation verifying my required involvement in the court proceedings.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration of this request. I sincerely appreciate the committee’s understanding and compassion in reviewing my situation.

Angela Fowler
Queen’s ID: 20393853
3rd Year Concurrent Education & Health Studies