Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Wednesday, June 3rd 2026

Academic Associate Dean
Queen’s University
Department of Arts and Science

Subject: Petition to Appeal Required Withdrawal

Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am writing to appeal the university’s recent decision regarding an academic withdrawal which was issued in the winter semester . I understand the seriousness of this decision and the tenuous nature of my academic standing. I wish to convey my concerns over this decision and respectfully ask you to consider the extenuating circumstances that have affected my performance during this period.

During this academic period, I experienced significant emotional turmoil that has severely affected my academic performance. At the beginning of the semester in January 2026, I experienced a family emergency when my grandfather was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. As his condition worsened, I struggled to maintain the level of academic performance expected by the university.

I understand that my academic standing did not meet the requirements of the university, and I take responsibility for the outcome of my courses. The difficulties I faced during this period affected my ability to maintain my academics and my responsibilities effectively. I also recognize that I could have sought support earlier and communicated with an academic advisor about my struggles. My experiences during this semester had made me reflect on the importance of seeking support actively and I have gained a sense of maintaining a balance between my academic responsibilities and personal wellbeing.

Since receiving the decision, I have taken the steps to address the factors that contributed to my academic decline. These steps include discussing with the academic advisor to develop a structured plan to bring my future academic performance in line with my past achievement and reaching out to counseling resources and tutoring to help strengthen my academic performance and overall mental health. As a result, I now have a clear plan to support my academic progress moving forward.

I care deeply about my education and remain fully committed to succeeding academically. I believe the challenges I experienced during this winter semester do not reflect my true academic potential, and I am determined to demonstrate improvement going forward if I am provided with the opportunity to continue my studies.

I have attached supporting documents to verify the circumstances described in this petition. I respectfully request the university to reconsider the Required Withdrawal decision and grant me the opportunity to continue my studies under academic probation.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Tammy Luk
20493460
Classics and Archaeology
22qd30@queensu.ca