Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Studies,

I am appealing to drop ANAT 215 (Fall, 2018), PHGY 215 (Fall, 2018), and CHEM 281 (Fall, 2018), from my academic transcript, late. Extenuating circumstances, beyond my control, affected my academic performance in the following manner.

Last year (Fall 2017), I received notice by my family that a member of my extended family was terminally ill with cancer. At the time, I was beginning my 2nd year in the Faculty of Arts & Science at Queen¿¿s University, and my first year enrolled in the Life Science Specialization (BScH). After one month of study (October, 2017), I noticed my health start to deteriorate; my attitude and behaviour towards my studies began to cripple. I lost the ability to eat and sleep as I reacting to the news. After another month (November, 2017), my family member suggested I withdraw temporarily from the program, and so I did. I sought care from my physician until I could be fit to study again. This lasted until the winter semester (Winter, 2018), as I returned to Queen¿¿s to complete STAT 263 and PHYS P20. At this point, I had not reached full recovery, but I felt well enough to try to integrate myself into the Queen¿¿s community as a returning part-time student. During the spring, I sought treatment from my physician who administered testing and subsequently treatment for anaemia. In addition, it was reported to me that my extended family member was in a critical state and her condition had not improved. I returned to Queen¿¿s in a delicate condition; more delicate than I realized at the time. I suppressed my emotions and was determined to complete the year I had lost. This semester (Fall, 2018), I received notice my grandmother, the extended family member, had died. My relationship with her was unique. She raised me from birth and throughout childhood; a critical portion of my life and memory. In many ways I consider her closer to a parent than a traditional grandmother. In a sense, I considered her role as maternal, as she provided me with care, nurturing, and support during a very sensitive period of my life. This is due to the fact, my parents, both hard-working professionals, were occupied with work in remote Northern Canadian communities; work others were not willing to do. She also greatly assisted with parenting once this work was complete. Up until her illness, I had been managing well with my academic course work, however, her death unexpectedly fragmented a part of myself I had dedicated to my studies. By that time, I had lost the concentration and drive (November, 2018) to keep up with the competitiveness of the program and I continue to recover my strength with treatment from my physician.

My future plan for this coming semester (Winter, 2019) is to enrol into a set of courses as a means of alleviating the grief associated with my grandmother¿¿s death. The documents I disclose are from my physician and copy of the death certificate translated from Lithuanian into English.


Thank you for your time,

Eva Widajewicz