Petition Letter
Jordan Wright
20282281
20jjw8@queensu.ca
January 8, 2025
To:
Associate Dean (Academic)
Queen’s University
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to formally request an appeal regarding the application of courses from my Queen’s Certificate in Law and Queen’s Certificate in Business towards my Honours Political Studies degree. Specifically, I propose that two courses (6.0 units) from my Certificate in Law and two courses (6.0 units) from my Certificate in Business be credited toward my undergraduate degree.
I am petitioning to have a total of 12.0 units (6.0 units from each of the previously noted certificates) counted towards my undergraduate degree. This adjustment would ensure that my course load accurately reflects the understanding I had when I planned my academic schedule, allowing me to graduate on time in Spring 2025.
When I enrolled in the Certificate in Law and Certificate in Business programs, I carefully reviewed the information available on the respective program websites and handbooks. At the time, the Certificate in Law webpage stated that up to 6.0 units from the program would count toward out-of-faculty degrees. Similarly, the Smith School of Business Certificate webpage had comparable language, indicating that 6.0 units would count toward my degree. However, neither resource clarified that the total maximum out-of-faculty electives that could count toward my degree was limited to 6.0 units across all certificates combined.
The updated Smith School of Business Certificate webpage now explicitly states the limitation, as follows:
“If you are an Arts and Science student, these two courses will count as the 6.0 units of non-Arts and Science courses that may count toward an Arts and Science degree. No further non-Arts and Science courses may be counted.”
Had this updated language been in place when I registered, I would have understood the policy clearly and adjusted my course selections accordingly.
Furthermore, the Queen’s Certificate in Law Handbook currently states:
“Up to 6.0 credits may apply to undergraduate degree requirements.”
This statement lacks specificity regarding the total out-of-faculty course credit limitation and perpetuated my misunderstanding.
Prior to this issue coming to my attention, I received no communication from Queen’s University indicating that my ability to graduate on time was at risk. My Verification of Enrolment, dated September 4, 2024, indicated I had 30 units enrolled for this academic year and 93 “Degree Credits” completed. Based on this information, I believed I was on track to graduate. If the out-of-faculty credit limit had been properly accounted for, the Verification of Enrolment would have shown 87 “Degree Credits” completed and 27 units enrolled, making it clear that I was behind in meeting graduation requirements.
Additionally, it is worth noting that Queen’s Commerce students are allowed to transfer up to 24 units toward an Arts and Science undergraduate degree upon transferring into the faculty. In comparison, it seems inequitable that I cannot apply 6.0 units from the Certificate in Law and 6.0 units from the Certificate in Business toward my degree. I believe my request for fairness in this matter aligns with the equitable principles Queen’s University upholds.
On a more personal note, I want to emphasize that I am a hardworking student who has excelled academically throughout my time at Queen’s. These certificate courses were rigorous and required significant effort to complete. I chose them not as an easy way to receive credits, but because I believed they would enrich my education and complement my political science degree.
I have worked diligently over the past four years and truly cherished my Queen’s experience. It has been a transformative journey, and I have poured my energy into making the most of it. However, this recent news has been deeply upsetting and disappointing. I had hoped to graduate with my friends this spring, and the thought of not being able to do so is disheartening.
Having to take additional courses in the summer would also disrupt my future plans. I am preparing to study for the LSAT over the summer with the goal of applying to law school in the fall. Adding summer courses to my workload would significantly hinder my ability to focus on this critical step toward my long-term aspirations.
In light of these circumstances, I respectfully request that my Certificate in Law courses (LAW 201 and LAW 203) and Certificate in Business courses (COMM 231 and COMM 600) be applied toward my Honours Political Science degree. This adjustment would ensure that my efforts and achievements over the last four years are acknowledged and allow me to graduate on time, as planned, with my peers.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. I would be happy to provide additional documentation or meet with you to discuss my petition further.
Sincerely,
Jordan Wright
20282281
20jjw8@queensu.ca
January 8, 2025
To:
Associate Dean (Academic)
Queen’s University
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing to formally request an appeal regarding the application of courses from my Queen’s Certificate in Law and Queen’s Certificate in Business towards my Honours Political Studies degree. Specifically, I propose that two courses (6.0 units) from my Certificate in Law and two courses (6.0 units) from my Certificate in Business be credited toward my undergraduate degree.
I am petitioning to have a total of 12.0 units (6.0 units from each of the previously noted certificates) counted towards my undergraduate degree. This adjustment would ensure that my course load accurately reflects the understanding I had when I planned my academic schedule, allowing me to graduate on time in Spring 2025.
When I enrolled in the Certificate in Law and Certificate in Business programs, I carefully reviewed the information available on the respective program websites and handbooks. At the time, the Certificate in Law webpage stated that up to 6.0 units from the program would count toward out-of-faculty degrees. Similarly, the Smith School of Business Certificate webpage had comparable language, indicating that 6.0 units would count toward my degree. However, neither resource clarified that the total maximum out-of-faculty electives that could count toward my degree was limited to 6.0 units across all certificates combined.
The updated Smith School of Business Certificate webpage now explicitly states the limitation, as follows:
“If you are an Arts and Science student, these two courses will count as the 6.0 units of non-Arts and Science courses that may count toward an Arts and Science degree. No further non-Arts and Science courses may be counted.”
Had this updated language been in place when I registered, I would have understood the policy clearly and adjusted my course selections accordingly.
Furthermore, the Queen’s Certificate in Law Handbook currently states:
“Up to 6.0 credits may apply to undergraduate degree requirements.”
This statement lacks specificity regarding the total out-of-faculty course credit limitation and perpetuated my misunderstanding.
Prior to this issue coming to my attention, I received no communication from Queen’s University indicating that my ability to graduate on time was at risk. My Verification of Enrolment, dated September 4, 2024, indicated I had 30 units enrolled for this academic year and 93 “Degree Credits” completed. Based on this information, I believed I was on track to graduate. If the out-of-faculty credit limit had been properly accounted for, the Verification of Enrolment would have shown 87 “Degree Credits” completed and 27 units enrolled, making it clear that I was behind in meeting graduation requirements.
Additionally, it is worth noting that Queen’s Commerce students are allowed to transfer up to 24 units toward an Arts and Science undergraduate degree upon transferring into the faculty. In comparison, it seems inequitable that I cannot apply 6.0 units from the Certificate in Law and 6.0 units from the Certificate in Business toward my degree. I believe my request for fairness in this matter aligns with the equitable principles Queen’s University upholds.
On a more personal note, I want to emphasize that I am a hardworking student who has excelled academically throughout my time at Queen’s. These certificate courses were rigorous and required significant effort to complete. I chose them not as an easy way to receive credits, but because I believed they would enrich my education and complement my political science degree.
I have worked diligently over the past four years and truly cherished my Queen’s experience. It has been a transformative journey, and I have poured my energy into making the most of it. However, this recent news has been deeply upsetting and disappointing. I had hoped to graduate with my friends this spring, and the thought of not being able to do so is disheartening.
Having to take additional courses in the summer would also disrupt my future plans. I am preparing to study for the LSAT over the summer with the goal of applying to law school in the fall. Adding summer courses to my workload would significantly hinder my ability to focus on this critical step toward my long-term aspirations.
In light of these circumstances, I respectfully request that my Certificate in Law courses (LAW 201 and LAW 203) and Certificate in Business courses (COMM 231 and COMM 600) be applied toward my Honours Political Science degree. This adjustment would ensure that my efforts and achievements over the last four years are acknowledged and allow me to graduate on time, as planned, with my peers.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. I would be happy to provide additional documentation or meet with you to discuss my petition further.
Sincerely,
Jordan Wright