Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am appealing the Queen's University faculty's decision that I must withdraw from studies at Queen's for at least one year. I would like to continue my studies this fall term in a part-time capacity after having discussed my options with academic advisors at Queen's University as well as my optometrist.

To begin, I feel it is important to bring to light some extenuating circumstances beyond my control that have affected my ability to properly engage in online classes this past year and perform academically to the best of my abilities.

For context, in December 2019, I was recommended by my optometrist and my ophthalmologist to have corrective eye surgery before the academic year to reduce blurry vision and headaches impacting my ability to focus as a result of my constant hypertropia and ¿¿exotropia'', as explained in the off-campus physician's note I have provided in this letter of appeal. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, this operation was delayed several times and as a result, I still have not had that operation. Entering into the 2020-2021 academic year was a struggle for me as five fully online courses was a significant challenge to my visual ability to focus for extended periods of time. Because of this, I found it very difficult to engage properly in my classes for long periods of time and my grades suffered as a result. While I acknowledge that I am capable of overcoming this, it has been a constant hindrance for me, academically, and one that I will be much more set up to overcome as I receive the operation and if I am able to engage in part-time studies this fall term.

Additionally, I had issues this past year with making the most of Queen's student academic and mental health resources such as academic planning with academic advisors, using my TA's as resources, as well as using library facilities and counsellors. I was not aware of many of these resources or how to benefit from them, and as such I did not feel comfortable or able to reach out for support when I was struggling with my challenges and the stress of entirely online learning and shared living during a pandemic. This is partially due to the nature of the covid risks associated with being in shared buildings as well as the impersonal and mentally-fatiguing reality of remote learning. I have since taken the time to familiarize myself with the support systems at the school, particularly PASS & Academic Advising, whom I have reached out to multiple times in the wake of this unsuccessful academic year. I now believe I have the understanding of how to support myself academically through school systems and now feel confident I will do so in the future if I am struggling.

Having been in residence with exclusively online learning for the entirety of the academic year, I found the atmosphere to be very stressful and challenging. I personally found it to be very isolating and detrimental to my study habits as I struggled to reach out to the support systems offered by Queen's. In February, I secured a one-year contract to rent a house in Kingston with four other Queen's students I met this year, one of whom is in the same program as me. I strongly believe the setting of a group of study-minded individuals and the opportunity to attend in-person classes will be more conducive to good study habits as opposed to the isolated and depressing situation I personally struggled with in residence at Morris Hall.

Lastly, I want to assure you that I am passionate about my academic goals as well as the courses I intend to take in the future. I have considered my academic plan that I have created and discussed with an academic advisor so that I am well-positioned should I be allowed to enroll in part-time studies. In adhering to this plan, I intend to re-take both POLS110 and DEVS100 as my long-term goal is to achieve a degree in political studies from Queen¿¿s. I also intend to take DEVS105 as despite my final grades, I found myself to be quite passionate about the topics covered in the DEVS I took this past academic year. Additionally, I would like to take a French language course to build on my B2 certificate moving forward. These courses are relevant and required for the plans I have considered, both Global Development and Political Studies, as well as the courses I am most interested in on a personal level.

Lastly, I appreciate the opportunity to appeal this decision and it has certainly aided in the reflection and planning I have been doing since the academic year ended. While I understand the faculty's decision to enforce a withdrawal from studies, I hope Queen¿¿s University finds - as I do - that my academic failures this year have largely been the product of certain circumstances beyond my control that I have since taken actions to remedy.