Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 14496
Submitted: June 16, 2026 at 1:01:51 AM
First Name: Magdalena
Last Name: Ganame
Pronoun: she/her
Student Number: 20108681
Email: m.ganame@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: ECON
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I hope this letter finds you well.
I am writing to request the waiver of my Requirement to withdraw from the Faculty of Arts and Science. I acknowledge my academic standing and have outlined below the extenuating circumstances that affected my academic performance, along with the steps I have taken to overcome them and my plan to ensure success upon my return.
I experienced a series of severe, extenuating circumstances beyond my control that directly affected my well-being and my ability to meet academic requirements from 2025 through May 2026. Which consisted of personal traumatic events caused by external factors and other individuals, psychological challenges and family-related difficulties. I am happy to go into more detail on this upon your request.
The stress and consequences of these events affected both my well-being and my ability to meet my academic responsibilities. I struggled to attend classes consistently, complete assignments, and stay on top of my coursework across multiple courses throughout the year, as I was consumed by dealing with these circumstances.
Attached is documentation from my family physician, who has cared for my family and me since I was ten years old, confirming the timeline and impact of these circumstances.
Despite all of this, I am eager to overcome these events while also acknowledging their severity. I have taken active steps to overcome them and return to a regular programmed academic routine. Support and structure to do so include consulting with my academic advisors, enrolling in counselling through Queen's Student Wellness Services, and engaging with The Possibilities Clinic in Toronto for therapy and executive coaching - a referral made jointly by Queen's Student Wellness Services and my academic advisors. These supports, along with continued engagement with Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) and my family physician, remain active.
Please refer to the attached Academic Plan for a full outline of my strategies for success.
I am not returning to the same circumstances that contributed to my academic difficulties. I am returning with a more suitable academic pathway for me. This includes a more manageable course load than previous academic plans. Along with a formal professional support network already in place.
The breadth of support I have sought reflects how seriously I take this return and how eager I am to come back to do what I enjoy, learning and working towards a better future for myself.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss my circumstances and plan further at your convenience, and I thank you for the opportunity to write this and to consider my appeal.
Thank you again for your attention and consideration.
Kind Regards,
Magdalena
I hope this letter finds you well.
I am writing to request the waiver of my Requirement to withdraw from the Faculty of Arts and Science. I acknowledge my academic standing and have outlined below the extenuating circumstances that affected my academic performance, along with the steps I have taken to overcome them and my plan to ensure success upon my return.
I experienced a series of severe, extenuating circumstances beyond my control that directly affected my well-being and my ability to meet academic requirements from 2025 through May 2026. Which consisted of personal traumatic events caused by external factors and other individuals, psychological challenges and family-related difficulties. I am happy to go into more detail on this upon your request.
The stress and consequences of these events affected both my well-being and my ability to meet my academic responsibilities. I struggled to attend classes consistently, complete assignments, and stay on top of my coursework across multiple courses throughout the year, as I was consumed by dealing with these circumstances.
Attached is documentation from my family physician, who has cared for my family and me since I was ten years old, confirming the timeline and impact of these circumstances.
Despite all of this, I am eager to overcome these events while also acknowledging their severity. I have taken active steps to overcome them and return to a regular programmed academic routine. Support and structure to do so include consulting with my academic advisors, enrolling in counselling through Queen's Student Wellness Services, and engaging with The Possibilities Clinic in Toronto for therapy and executive coaching - a referral made jointly by Queen's Student Wellness Services and my academic advisors. These supports, along with continued engagement with Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) and my family physician, remain active.
Please refer to the attached Academic Plan for a full outline of my strategies for success.
I am not returning to the same circumstances that contributed to my academic difficulties. I am returning with a more suitable academic pathway for me. This includes a more manageable course load than previous academic plans. Along with a formal professional support network already in place.
The breadth of support I have sought reflects how seriously I take this return and how eager I am to come back to do what I enjoy, learning and working towards a better future for myself.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss my circumstances and plan further at your convenience, and I thank you for the opportunity to write this and to consider my appeal.
Thank you again for your attention and consideration.
Kind Regards,
Magdalena
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: In consultation with my academic advisors, therapists, executive coaches, QSAS advisor, family doctor, and through standing meetings with Queen's Student Wellness, I have developed a realistic and achievable plan for my return to studies.
Firstly, I have intentionally switched from a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) to a Bachelor of Arts in Economics after consulting my academic advisor and support network. This decision required careful consideration and was ultimately made with the confidence that it is the right path forward for me, given my circumstances and considering my future.
This has been approved and is now reflected in SOLUS. I have reviewed my Academic Advisement Report and confirmed my remaining degree requirements.
Switching to the BA allows me to have a reduced course load compared to the previous BAH requirements. Which consists of two remaining Economics courses in the fall term and one elective. I am currently completing the elective this summer and am retaking a previously attempted course to strengthen my academic record, with the goal of completing my degree requirements by the end of the fall term.
I feel very energized and excited by the prospect of this, to return to a regularly programmed school routine and immerse myself in learning and working towards a better future for myself.
My ongoing strategies for success and support include the following:
-Standing bi-weekly counselling sessions with Courtney Orr, Queen's Student Wellness Services, throughout the summer term, with a dedicated counsellor assigned for the fall term to ensure continuity of care
-Executive coaching at The Possibilities Clinic, recommended by Queen's Student Wellness Services. The clinic provides tools for stress regulation and long-term well-being. This also serves as coaching specifically focused on building the structure and performance strategies needed to succeed academically.
-Formally enrolled with Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS), with an assigned advisor and academic accommodations confirmed for my return.
-Continued medical support and consultation from my family physician
-Regular meetings with an advisor in Arts & Science Student Services to stay on track and adjust this plan throughout the term, if needed.
I am being realistic about the long-term effects of my extenuating circumstances and have structured my return accordingly. With a manageable workload and a robust professional support network already in place prior to resuming studies.
I appreciate your consideration and support in advance and am eager to complete my studies with the effort and thoughtfulness I have put into building a strong foundation for success.
Thank you again.
Kind Regards,
Magdalena
Firstly, I have intentionally switched from a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) to a Bachelor of Arts in Economics after consulting my academic advisor and support network. This decision required careful consideration and was ultimately made with the confidence that it is the right path forward for me, given my circumstances and considering my future.
This has been approved and is now reflected in SOLUS. I have reviewed my Academic Advisement Report and confirmed my remaining degree requirements.
Switching to the BA allows me to have a reduced course load compared to the previous BAH requirements. Which consists of two remaining Economics courses in the fall term and one elective. I am currently completing the elective this summer and am retaking a previously attempted course to strengthen my academic record, with the goal of completing my degree requirements by the end of the fall term.
I feel very energized and excited by the prospect of this, to return to a regularly programmed school routine and immerse myself in learning and working towards a better future for myself.
My ongoing strategies for success and support include the following:
-Standing bi-weekly counselling sessions with Courtney Orr, Queen's Student Wellness Services, throughout the summer term, with a dedicated counsellor assigned for the fall term to ensure continuity of care
-Executive coaching at The Possibilities Clinic, recommended by Queen's Student Wellness Services. The clinic provides tools for stress regulation and long-term well-being. This also serves as coaching specifically focused on building the structure and performance strategies needed to succeed academically.
-Formally enrolled with Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS), with an assigned advisor and academic accommodations confirmed for my return.
-Continued medical support and consultation from my family physician
-Regular meetings with an advisor in Arts & Science Student Services to stay on track and adjust this plan throughout the term, if needed.
I am being realistic about the long-term effects of my extenuating circumstances and have structured my return accordingly. With a manageable workload and a robust professional support network already in place prior to resuming studies.
I appreciate your consideration and support in advance and am eager to complete my studies with the effort and thoughtfulness I have put into building a strong foundation for success.
Thank you again.
Kind Regards,
Magdalena
Documentation
Professional Letter: Verification Form.pdf
Decision Letters
History
Originally submitted June 16, 2026 at 1:01:51 AM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Incomplete | Kerri Andrews | 2026-06-22 11:45:55 AM | |
| status | N/A | Incomplete | In Review | Kerri Andrews | 2026-06-27 7:38:23 PM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Granted | Kerri Andrews | 2026-07-08 2:24:31 PM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic) | Kerri Andrews | 2026-07-08 2:24:31 PM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Kerri Andrews | 2026-07-08 2:25:03 PM |