Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Student Name: Le Ngoc Phuong Cao
Student ID: 20566208
Program: Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc), Queen’s University

Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to respectfully request consideration for late course withdrawal under extenuating circumstances for the Winter term. Specifically, I am requesting late withdrawal from the following courses: PHGY 170, BIOL 102, and HSCI 190. I am submitting this petition prior to the completion of my remaining final assessments in order to formally document the significant challenges that are currently affecting my academic performance.
Over the past several months, I have been experiencing personal difficulties related to a breakdown in my family, as my parents are currently in the process of divorce. They are in the early stages of consulting with legal counsel and arranging the necessary proceedings, and many aspects of the situation remain unresolved.
This situation has been particularly difficult as it has been unfolding in Vietnam while I am residing in Canada. Being physically distant from my family during this time has created a strong sense of helplessness and emotional distress, as I have been unable to provide support or be directly involved. The uncertainty surrounding my family situation, combined with the distance, has significantly affected my ability to concentrate and remain academically engaged.
As a result of these challenges, I also had to adjust my living situation within Canada in order to seek support from relatives, which created additional disruption during the academic term.
In addition to these family circumstances, I have been experiencing ongoing health concerns, particularly related to my digestive system, which have worsened under stress. These issues have affected my ability to concentrate, maintain a consistent study routine, and perform to my usual academic standard during the final examination period.
Due to my recent relocation to Ontario, I have not yet obtained provincial health coverage (OHIP). This situation has been further complicated by the loss of my backpack earlier this year, which contained important identification documents, including my Permanent Resident card. I am currently in the process of replacing these documents, which has delayed my ability to access healthcare services locally. I will provide supporting documentation, including a screenshot of the police report and a screenshot of my Permanent Resident card replacement application, to verify this situation. Managing these challenges independently has also contributed additional stress during this period.
At the time of the official withdrawal deadline on February 27, my family situation had not yet escalated to its current level of severity. While there were underlying tensions, the situation became significantly more serious toward the end of March, when my parents began actively pursuing divorce and consulting with legal counsel. As these developments unfolded, I experienced increasing emotional distress and difficulty concentrating on my studies. During this time, I was primarily focused on managing the situation on a day-to-day basis and attempting to keep up with my academic responsibilities, rather than fully considering academic options such as withdrawing from my courses. It was only after recognizing the sustained impact of these circumstances on my academic performance that I realized late withdrawal would be the most appropriate course of action.
While I am continuing to make every effort to complete my remaining final assessments, I recognize that my academic performance has been significantly impacted by these circumstances. As a result, I am concerned that my academic results during this period may not accurately reflect my true abilities or level of commitment to my studies.
I am planning to return to Vietnam in May in order to address both my family situation and my health. Upon my return, I will seek medical evaluation and obtain appropriate documentation. In addition, I intend to seek both medical and mental health support to address the impact of these circumstances and to support my recovery. I will also provide any available documentation related to my family circumstances as it becomes available, including travel documentation once finalized.
At this time, I am submitting available documentation, including screenshots related to the loss of my identification documents and my ongoing replacement process. I will provide additional supporting documentation, including medical records, family-related documentation, and travel details, as soon as they become available.
These circumstances have been unexpected, ongoing, and beyond my control. I have done my best to manage the situation while continuing my academic responsibilities; however, the combined impact of family distress, health concerns, and logistical challenges has made it difficult for me to perform at my usual level.
I sincerely regret the impact that these circumstances have had on my academic performance. I respectfully request consideration for late withdrawal from the courses listed above, as I believe that my academic results during this period do not accurately reflect my capabilities.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Le Ngoc Phuong Cao.