Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: Dear Members of the Board of Studies,
I hope this message finds you well. I would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to review my appeal and for providing students with the opportunity to have their circumstances reconsidered through this process. I appreciate the care, time, and consideration involved in reviewing academic appeals and ensuring that students are treated fairly and equitably.
I am writing to appeal the decision of the Associate Dean (Academic), Dr. Dorit Naaman, regarding my petition to waive the Requirement to Withdraw for One Year. I would like to begin by acknowledging that I understand and respect the reasoning behind the Associate Dean’s decision. I appreciate that my circumstances were carefully reviewed and that the decision identified the specific area where further information was needed, particularly documentation demonstrating the connection between my circumstances, my academic performance, and my ability to make academic decisions during the Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 terms.
I am not appealing because I believe the Associate Dean failed to consider my circumstances. Rather, I am appealing because I am still actively working to obtain the additional supporting documentation identified as necessary in the decision letter. I believe this documentation will provide further context regarding the circumstances described in my original petition and address the concerns raised regarding timing, impact, and duration.
My original petition outlined significant family-related circumstances that began in Fall 2021 and continued over several years. These included my grandmother’s cancer diagnosis and her move into our home, where my father became her primary caregiver, as well as a major basement flood shortly after my family moved into a bungalow that required extensive repairs over approximately two years. These circumstances created prolonged instability within my household, including increased family responsibilities, financial stress, and difficulty maintaining consistent academic routines.
When I began my studies at Queen’s University in Fall 2025, I continued to experience the effects of these prolonged circumstances. Although I entered university with the intention of succeeding academically, I now recognize that the cumulative impact of these experiences affected my ability to maintain consistent routines, manage my workload effectively, and recognize the extent to which my academic performance was being impacted.
The Associate Dean’s decision noted that the documentation submitted with my petition did not sufficiently establish that these circumstances directly affected my academic performance or my ability to make academic decisions, including withdrawing from courses within the required deadlines. I understand why this information was necessary and appreciate the importance of having documentation that clearly demonstrates this connection.
Since receiving the decision, I have continued efforts to obtain additional supporting documentation from relevant professionals. Specifically, I am attempting to obtain documentation from the social worker who was involved with my family’s case. Unfortunately, there has been an unexpected delay in obtaining this documentation because the social worker is currently on leave. This delay has been outside of my control and has prevented me from providing the additional documentation within the original petition process.
The purpose of obtaining this documentation is to provide further evidence regarding the circumstances described in my petition, including their impact and how they affected my academic functioning during the Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 terms. The absence of this documentation at the time of my petition submission was not due to a lack of circumstances or unwillingness to provide evidence, but rather because I was unable to access this professional documentation within the required timeframe.
I also recognize my responsibility as a student and understand that seeking academic support earlier would have been beneficial. Since receiving the Requirement to Withdraw decision, I have taken steps to address the factors that contributed to my academic difficulties. I attended a walk-in clinic regarding the effects of prolonged stress and have been advised to complete follow-up medical testing. I am also continuing to seek appropriate supports and develop strategies to ensure future academic success.
If granted the opportunity to continue my studies, I am committed to following a structured academic plan, including working with Academic Advising, utilizing Student Academic Success Services proactively, maintaining consistent study routines, and seeking support earlier when challenges arise.
I respectfully request that the Board of Studies consider my appeal in light of the additional documentation I am currently working to obtain and the circumstances that have delayed its availability. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide further context and respectfully ask that my petition be reconsidered once this additional information is available.
Thank you very much for your time, understanding, and consideration.
Sincerely,
Tami Sakariyas-DE