Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean Stephenson,
I am writing to respectfully request a waiver of the three-year withdrawal requirement, as outlined in the letter I received on May 21, 2025.
Being forced to pause my education for three years would severely hinder my personal and professional growth. By the time I’d be eligible to return, I would be well into my twenties. My time at Queen’s and living in Kingston has been pivotal to my identity. Although I’ve struggled academically, my time here has helped me build powerful relationships through competitive extracurricular activities and gain real-world experiences as a business owner. My company is on track to generate six figures by the end of the summer. I share this not to excuse my grades but to demonstrate my work ethic, drive, and potential.
This past academic year was marked by serious personal and mental health challenges that negatively impacted my ability to manage my coursework, oftentimes feeling “lost”. Since then, I’ve started taking clear steps to get back on track. I am currently pursuing medical support and working toward getting properly assessed and medicated through Ontario’s mental health system. This is an ongoing process, but I am committed to following through and building a healthier, more stable foundation for academic success.
Writing this petition itself is an act of commitment to myself. It reflects my willingness to take responsibility for my past, to ask for help, and to fight for a better future. I want to be better — as a student, a person, and a contributor to the Queen’s community. This petition is the first step in that process.
Thank you for considering my request. I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and demonstrate that I can thrive with the right support systems in place. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if any additional information is needed.
Sincerely,
Manuel Chavarria
#20369593
I am writing to respectfully request a waiver of the three-year withdrawal requirement, as outlined in the letter I received on May 21, 2025.
Being forced to pause my education for three years would severely hinder my personal and professional growth. By the time I’d be eligible to return, I would be well into my twenties. My time at Queen’s and living in Kingston has been pivotal to my identity. Although I’ve struggled academically, my time here has helped me build powerful relationships through competitive extracurricular activities and gain real-world experiences as a business owner. My company is on track to generate six figures by the end of the summer. I share this not to excuse my grades but to demonstrate my work ethic, drive, and potential.
This past academic year was marked by serious personal and mental health challenges that negatively impacted my ability to manage my coursework, oftentimes feeling “lost”. Since then, I’ve started taking clear steps to get back on track. I am currently pursuing medical support and working toward getting properly assessed and medicated through Ontario’s mental health system. This is an ongoing process, but I am committed to following through and building a healthier, more stable foundation for academic success.
Writing this petition itself is an act of commitment to myself. It reflects my willingness to take responsibility for my past, to ask for help, and to fight for a better future. I want to be better — as a student, a person, and a contributor to the Queen’s community. This petition is the first step in that process.
Thank you for considering my request. I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and demonstrate that I can thrive with the right support systems in place. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if any additional information is needed.
Sincerely,
Manuel Chavarria
#20369593