Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello,
I am currently an applied economics with a minor in art history, and due to extenuating circumstances will not be able to return next year to acquire the 3 credits I need to graduate. I am applying to take 9.0 credits rather than 6.0 credits on LOP. I have spoken with Arts and Science's academic advising services' Jade Bashford, as well as the Economics Department Chair, and we have found classes available this summer which would allow me to complete all requirements needed to finish my degree.

For some context, since my second year of university I experienced significant and ongoing family and mental health challenges that disrupted my education. My grandmother, who largely acted as my primary caregiver, became very ill and was placed in a nursing home. This then caused my mother to experience what appeared to be a mental health crisis. My mother has always had some toxic tendencies towards me, which my therapist has described as narcissistic abuse. This furthered her behaviour towards me in a way that ultimately led me to remove her from my life, reconnect with the father she forbid me to so, and to drop all my classes in forth year to take time off and take care of myself. This led to lose funding for my education. My uncle has been able to support me up until now, but soon to be retiring and taking care of my grandmother. He acts as POA for her, however, my grandmother has fully financially supported my mother since I was 4, which I know believe has fallen on my uncle. He is unable to continue financing my education after this summer, and therefore, I will be unable to return in the fall for the one class I would need to complete my degree. I must begin to fully support myself, and ultimately hope to begin giving back to my grandmother and uncle who have supported me continuously.

Throughout this period, I remained in contact with Queen’s student mental health service provider Pamela Hall, who I am sure can confirm such.

I am very close to completing my degree, with the current plan being I take courses this summer, 2 on LOP, but I would still need 1 more class for the history requirement. Again, I have found a class that the Economics Department Chair approved for, and so I am requesting permission to take 3.0 more on LOP to achieve this goal.

I am fully committed to meeting the expectations of the school. Since the summer before the Fall 2025 semester, I have been diagnosed and treated for ADHD and anxiety, while continuing therapy. This has helped be focus, and learn to cope and manage what shortcomings I have/been through. I plan to stay focused and dedicated in order to complete my goal and receive my degree.