Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 9421
Submitted: July 23, 2022 at 5:07:47 PM
First Name: Nathaniel
Last Name: Bickford
Student Number: 20115600
Email: 17nlb4@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: SOCY
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the 21-day or one term deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to you about an email I received regarding my requirement to withdraw from the program of Arts and Sciences for a year.
I would like to ask that due to extenuating circumstances, the requirement to withdraw be appealed. Last year, when I faced academic probation, I had some of my lower grades removed and replaced with CR, which removed me from academic probation before the school year started.
In my Sociology Major Arts Plan, I have achieved a GPA of 2.340, which is above the threshold. Also, in the summer course that I am in right now I have achieved a grade of 80 on my first two assignments and awaiting feedback on the third assignment.
I would like to talk about the way that I struggled last year. I was quite proficient in the first semester and I showed improvement, but in the second semester I absolutely struggled again due to the shift from online to in-person. Due to this shift, it was difficult to transition and to keep up.
I struggled greatly with my mental health, more than ever before. I reached out to a therapist provided by the university which was very helpful. If need be, I could get in touch with my therapist and my doctor to provide documentation of my battle with mental health over the past year. This is why I have hesitated so much on writing this letter, I have been absolutely paralyzed with anxiety about what the result may be.
I am a young student working hard to make ends meet. I am supporting myself while also trying to get a degree and make something of myself. I also have a new house in Kingston that I have signed a lease to with some new friends that are able to hold me accountable and encourage me. I believe that with the knowledge that I have now, even if it means taking a lighter course load, I have the tools to be successful.
There is nothing that I??ve ever wanted more than to be a Queen??s graduate. Coming from a family of Cuban immigrants that never had the chance to go to university, I feel the need to make something of myself and prove to them, myself, and to the University that I can do good by them. I fear that with taking a year off, I will continue to struggle greatly with my mental health, lose my access to therapy, and veer off the path that I have worked tooth-and-nail for.
I know that it may be a little late in the Summer to grant my appeal, but I believe that if this is truly a case-by-case basis, then we could be able to come to a sort of compromise. I hope you find it within the kindness of your heart to give me a chance and let me prove myself right. I am capable and I have the tools to succeed.
Thank you so much for your time,
Nate Bickford
I am writing to you about an email I received regarding my requirement to withdraw from the program of Arts and Sciences for a year.
I would like to ask that due to extenuating circumstances, the requirement to withdraw be appealed. Last year, when I faced academic probation, I had some of my lower grades removed and replaced with CR, which removed me from academic probation before the school year started.
In my Sociology Major Arts Plan, I have achieved a GPA of 2.340, which is above the threshold. Also, in the summer course that I am in right now I have achieved a grade of 80 on my first two assignments and awaiting feedback on the third assignment.
I would like to talk about the way that I struggled last year. I was quite proficient in the first semester and I showed improvement, but in the second semester I absolutely struggled again due to the shift from online to in-person. Due to this shift, it was difficult to transition and to keep up.
I struggled greatly with my mental health, more than ever before. I reached out to a therapist provided by the university which was very helpful. If need be, I could get in touch with my therapist and my doctor to provide documentation of my battle with mental health over the past year. This is why I have hesitated so much on writing this letter, I have been absolutely paralyzed with anxiety about what the result may be.
I am a young student working hard to make ends meet. I am supporting myself while also trying to get a degree and make something of myself. I also have a new house in Kingston that I have signed a lease to with some new friends that are able to hold me accountable and encourage me. I believe that with the knowledge that I have now, even if it means taking a lighter course load, I have the tools to be successful.
There is nothing that I??ve ever wanted more than to be a Queen??s graduate. Coming from a family of Cuban immigrants that never had the chance to go to university, I feel the need to make something of myself and prove to them, myself, and to the University that I can do good by them. I fear that with taking a year off, I will continue to struggle greatly with my mental health, lose my access to therapy, and veer off the path that I have worked tooth-and-nail for.
I know that it may be a little late in the Summer to grant my appeal, but I believe that if this is truly a case-by-case basis, then we could be able to come to a sort of compromise. I hope you find it within the kindness of your heart to give me a chance and let me prove myself right. I am capable and I have the tools to succeed.
Thank you so much for your time,
Nate Bickford
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC - The documents that I expect to include with my appeal are documents from my doctor and therapist who I have been open with regarding my battle with mental health.
