Petition Letter
To:
Associate Dean (Studies),
Faculty of Arts and Science,
Queen’s University
Subject: Appeal Requesting to Waive Deadline
I am writing this letter to request the deadline for submitting an academic appeal to be waived. I wish to appeal a course I took in Fall 2021, and I am submitting an appeal request a year after the academic appeal deadline.
Previous extenuating circumstances have heavily impacted my academic journey at Queen’s, resulting in me working constantly to complete my degree. I had been taking a reduced course load for a year before Fall 2021, in which I completed 4 courses. I struggle with mental health issues which heavily impede my academic performance and was diagnosed with ADD the year before. My mental health was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which affected my ability to complete course requirements on time. This led me to submit my deliverables after given deadlines. Although I was granted extensions and submitted my assignments and exams by January 2022, my final assignment for PHIL 259 was not graded. In January, I contracted COVID and was extremely unwell as this was my first time getting the illness. By the time I had recuperated, I was writing exams I had received extensions for and begun my Winter 2022 semester. I was mentally and physically fatigued and while I meant to appeal the course, my disability prevented me from doing so. I planned on submitting an appeal by the Fall 2022 semester, but the anxiety caused by my disability only allowed me to focus on my courses and receiving therapy.
Since Winter 2022, I have solely focused on getting back on track and simultaneously receive appropriate treatment for my disability. I have continually sought help from QSAS, Student Wellness and therapists to manage my symptoms. This help included varying forms of therapy, appointments, medication and exercises which required a lot of time and energy. However, doing so allowed me to take a full course load every Fall and Winter semester for the past two years. I have also taken courses during the 2022 and 2023 Summer terms while working as a research assistant. I was only able to do so because I worked on treating the symptoms of my disability.
I decided to take more courses during the Summer 2023 term to make up for the course as I had passed the appeal deadline. This led to me taking 15 units in the Summer 2023 term while volunteering as a research assistant at the Autism Spectrum Disorders lab at Queen’s. However, I was faced with another family issue which required me to leave for India. My father was undergoing surgery, and I spent the better half of my summer in the hospital while simultaneously studying for my summer courses. This led to me dropping one of my courses and leaving my position as a research assistant. I then travelled to Athabasca for one of the courses I am completing on a letter of permission. These circumstances were completely out of my control and exacerbated my disability symptoms.
I believe I am in a position now to submit an appeal because I am determined to graduate this Spring. I have completed all my requirements tirelessly and despite the constant hurdles in my academic journey. I require 3 more units to graduate, which is why I wish to appeal this course because I completed 100% of my deliverables and received an F. I would sincerely request you to consider my petition as my academic progress demonstrates that I am dedicated to my completing academic responsibilities and will be able to graduate given that I receive the credit for a course which I completed.
Associate Dean (Studies),
Faculty of Arts and Science,
Queen’s University
Subject: Appeal Requesting to Waive Deadline
I am writing this letter to request the deadline for submitting an academic appeal to be waived. I wish to appeal a course I took in Fall 2021, and I am submitting an appeal request a year after the academic appeal deadline.
Previous extenuating circumstances have heavily impacted my academic journey at Queen’s, resulting in me working constantly to complete my degree. I had been taking a reduced course load for a year before Fall 2021, in which I completed 4 courses. I struggle with mental health issues which heavily impede my academic performance and was diagnosed with ADD the year before. My mental health was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which affected my ability to complete course requirements on time. This led me to submit my deliverables after given deadlines. Although I was granted extensions and submitted my assignments and exams by January 2022, my final assignment for PHIL 259 was not graded. In January, I contracted COVID and was extremely unwell as this was my first time getting the illness. By the time I had recuperated, I was writing exams I had received extensions for and begun my Winter 2022 semester. I was mentally and physically fatigued and while I meant to appeal the course, my disability prevented me from doing so. I planned on submitting an appeal by the Fall 2022 semester, but the anxiety caused by my disability only allowed me to focus on my courses and receiving therapy.
Since Winter 2022, I have solely focused on getting back on track and simultaneously receive appropriate treatment for my disability. I have continually sought help from QSAS, Student Wellness and therapists to manage my symptoms. This help included varying forms of therapy, appointments, medication and exercises which required a lot of time and energy. However, doing so allowed me to take a full course load every Fall and Winter semester for the past two years. I have also taken courses during the 2022 and 2023 Summer terms while working as a research assistant. I was only able to do so because I worked on treating the symptoms of my disability.
I decided to take more courses during the Summer 2023 term to make up for the course as I had passed the appeal deadline. This led to me taking 15 units in the Summer 2023 term while volunteering as a research assistant at the Autism Spectrum Disorders lab at Queen’s. However, I was faced with another family issue which required me to leave for India. My father was undergoing surgery, and I spent the better half of my summer in the hospital while simultaneously studying for my summer courses. This led to me dropping one of my courses and leaving my position as a research assistant. I then travelled to Athabasca for one of the courses I am completing on a letter of permission. These circumstances were completely out of my control and exacerbated my disability symptoms.
I believe I am in a position now to submit an appeal because I am determined to graduate this Spring. I have completed all my requirements tirelessly and despite the constant hurdles in my academic journey. I require 3 more units to graduate, which is why I wish to appeal this course because I completed 100% of my deliverables and received an F. I would sincerely request you to consider my petition as my academic progress demonstrates that I am dedicated to my completing academic responsibilities and will be able to graduate given that I receive the credit for a course which I completed.