Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Queen's University Arts & Science officer

March 28, 2017
Dear Sir/Madam
RE: Appeal Letter of Yanjun Huang

I am appealing to drop after the deadline courses from the fall 2016 term, specifically CISC P81, RELS 214 and RELS 223. I am asking for special consideration because my functioning was impaired due to a combination of personal circumstances and health problems.

On November 2rd, 2015, my boyfriend Glenn Swann died in a car accident in Wales, England. I have known him since I was 16 when I was in England. Due to the tremendous unexpected misfortune, I was not able to manage any of my sentiments or attentions for several months due to grieving. I went back to Britain a few times after he died, but every time I went back it was like endless suffering. I did not have family support, mostly due to Cultural factors and that I have not 'come-out' to my family. Every time when I feeling better, like I am back to my normal routine, London put me back to the hopelessness with overwhelming memories appearing that I cannot bear to move on.

Last summer I was also diagnosed with several health problems, which required treatment which also impacted my daily life every day. I could not concentrate my academic performance due to the side effect of my medicine (e.g., infection, problems sleeping) After that I fell behind in terms of class progress. And I was unable to recover my academic standing in these classes, especially computing. It was not associated with my major and it requires more attention and time which I failed to meet due to the side effect of my treatment.

As for my future plan, I am willing to retake the RELS 214 and RELS 223 next term because I am trying to change my major to religion studies this year. I really enjoy Religion studies, it was one of the things that made me carry on after all my unfortunate sufferings.

I am working really hard in this winter term. I am going to all my class, hand in all the assignment on time and trying my best to study as much as I can to make up what I left and to prove to myself that I am capable of studying. In the same time, I also go check with Academic advisor Kathryn Morrissey very once a while to keep up with my study plans and to make sure I manage all my attentions efficiently so I can provide the high academic performance.

In the past one year, I have been love to keep coming to counseling with Dr. Tonya Bauermann, Personal Counsellor at Student Wellness Services many times. She is a terrific counsellor. Her counseling has not only brought me back to life but also give the courage to study again. My life was like a roller coster last year but she made me realized that there still a lot of things to live for. After more than a year seeing her, she is not just a counselor for me, she is more like a family member who always support me in many ways. She taught me no more avoiding, no more crying, stand up and fight for my studies because I can do it Most importantly, she made me realized why I came to Canada to receive the high-quality education at Queen's and I want to stay, I won't give up.. My situation is precarious, and dropping these courses will allow me to maintain my academic standing and complete my degree. I am dedicated to work hard and I hope you will grant me this appeal and give me the opportunity to return in fall to pursue my studies.

Sincerely yours,

Yanjun Huang