Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. J Stephenson,

My name is Jasmine White. I am currently an Arts and Science student doing my studies online, my goal is to continue my pursuit in Global Development. I started my studies at Queens as an interest student earlier this year and now I am looking to complete my full degree here at Queens moving forward. In this letter, I am appealing to drop PHAR100 (Fall 2020). This year has been extremely difficult for me, as it has been for many. I lost my employment and only source of income as a flight attendant with Air Canada due to covid-19 and I had just relocated to Ontario when this happened. I was already struggling to make ends meet and I was almost unable to afford to return to school this year due to the financial constraints. I pushed myself to find new employment as soon as possible, I did not want to let this ruin my educational journey at Queens. With the help of family and working full time, I was able to continue my studies. At the end of September, I was once again laid off and was scrambling to find employment just to make my rent payments. Luckily, I found another job that I am currently working at full-time. Just as things were stabilizing for me, my partner was brought to the ER via ambulance as he suffered from a cardiac induced seizure/blackout (document attached). He is still going through testing and the cause is still unknown although the preliminary tests performed this week indicate it isn't life-threatening and he will recover fully by February. With this added medical stress, I really started to struggle with having the time or mental fortitude to focus on my studies. In my other two courses, I've received enough feedback and grades in order to know that I was performing successfully with no issues. For PHAR100, I did not receive any grades until AFTER the deadline to drop the course. This came as a surprise to me as I thought I was doing well enough in PHAR100. I did not know I was failing my assignments and did not think I was going to fail the midterm. If I had received some of my grades prior to the last day drop date, I would have been able to make an informed decision and not have to appeal this course. Why am I only writing this letter now and not a month ago I thought I would push hard despite all my personal circumstances and try to succeed. However, I have still not received any grades since that previous round and with my final exam scheduled for next week, I don't believe I am in a good position to pass this course. Being a non-degree student, my goal is to become a full-time degree student by summer 2021. I don't want this one course to tarnish my academic record and determine my future here at Queens. Pharmacology is a huge depart from my knowledge base and discipline of study. I had no idea I would struggle this much with the course content. It may have been doable with in-class lectures as that's how I learn best. It may have been doable without all the personal issues I've been facing, but it's been too difficult. If you can grant me this appeal, I know I can accomplish my studies with good grades and become an alumni Queens will be proud of. By January 2021 I will have secured my employment (with reduced hours, not full time) and additional financial aid so I will be able to put quality time and focus into my studies. 2020 has been a tremendously difficult year for so many and I am trying to succeed despite all my personal trials and tribulations that have hampered my ability to perform at my best. With your acceptance of this appeal and willingness to offer a me a second chance, I know I will succeed. Thank you and I hope you are staying safe and healthy.