Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: January 22, 2019
To Associate Dean (Studies);

I write this letter to sincerely request to appeal my failing grade for GNDS 352 (Gender, Cloth and Globalization) which I was enrolled in during the Winter 2018 term with Professor Nancy Butler as the instructor. I request that I am able to finish the course by writing and handing in the final paper.

The extenuating circumstance that prohibited me from completing this course was that my father discovered that I was gay through reading text messages on my iPad, which was left out at our family home while I was visiting for a weekend (appx. April 1st, 2018). Upon discovering this, he promptly kicked me out of the house and I soon after learned that he would no longer be paying for my rent and tuition at Queen¿¿s. I know that many students fund their own education throughout their entire university career, however, I was in complete shock as I was not working and had not planned or saved for this. Beyond that, I endured great emotional pain from my parents unexpectedly finding this out and because of how awful their reaction was. I still have little communication with my dad, however, I speak with my mom now. At the time the paper was due, the mounting pressure of all of my finals was consuming me, and the added stress and emotional turmoil from what was going on in my personal life made it too difficult for me to finish the paper. I did not have the capacity to focus. This was reflected in other papers that I handed in at this time that were both late and well below the requirements.

During this time, a family friend (Sarah Carswell) allowed me to stay with her when I wasn¿¿t in Kingston and loaned me a couple months¿¿ worth of rent while I figured out how I was going to manage. Sarah was and continues to be my main support system.

The following semester, when the course was marked as ¿incomplete,¿¿ I did do some preliminary work on the paper, however, I was working 60+ hours a week at two jobs to pay my rent and save money for the coming school year. During this time, I felt both physically and mentally exhausted and did not have the capacity to finish the paper.

I have managed my mental health and studies since then by communicating with Sarah as well as other dear friends and cousins about my everyday stresses and other events in my life. I have rebuilt a new support system who love me and support me despite my sexuality. As well, in speaking with my mom we have begun to rebuild our relationship and she has expressed that she loves me and so does my father, however, it will take time to heal. I am also working a serving job during the school year to be able to afford to live without their financial support.

Upon speaking with the instructor, Nancy Butler, she has expressed that she is quite supportive of me finishing the course and handing in the final essay. She encouraged me to reach out and has pledged her support for this process. I have not disclosed the details of what was going on in my personal life at this time with her, however, she is aware that I was going through a particularly stressful situation and that I was suffering from anxiety at the time. We have discussed that I will meet with her while I am writing the paper so that I stay on track and finish the paper.


I have attached a letter of support from Nancy Butler as well as Sarah Carswell. Thank you very much for your consideration.


Kindest Regards,
Nicholas B. Tourangeau