Petition Letter
**Petition for Credit (CR) / Academic Relief (AR) Standing**
Dear Members of the Academic Review Committee,
I am writing to respectfully request consideration for Credit (CR) / Academic Relief (AR) standing for the following courses: [CHEM112] and [PHYS115].
I understand that requests for Credit Standing are normally required within one year of the completion of the course. However, I am requesting an exception to this timeline due to prolonged extenuating circumstances that significantly impacted both my academic performance at the time and my ability to submit this request earlier.
During my first year at Queen’s University, I experienced ongoing bullying within my residence environment, including incidents that I perceived as racially targeted. As a student of colour in my first year of university, this created an environment in which I did not feel safe, supported, or able to fully engage academically. These experiences significantly affected my confidence, sense of belonging, and ability to function at the level required for my studies.
The impact of these circumstances was not limited to a single term but extended over a prolonged period from 2023 through 2025. The environment I was in impaired my ability to maintain consistent attendance, focus during lectures, and engage with coursework effectively. While I remained enrolled and continued my studies, I was not in a stable position to perform to my true academic ability.
During this period, I sought support through Residence Life and Student Wellness services; however, the situation and its effects persisted. A licensed therapist has since described the impact of this period as consistent with symptoms of post-traumatic stress, which further contextualizes the extent to which these circumstances affected my academic functioning.
As a result of these prolonged circumstances, the grades I received in these courses do not accurately reflect my academic capabilities.
Due to the ongoing nature of these circumstances, I was also not in a position to fully understand or act on academic policies such as Credit Standing within the required one-year timeframe. I was only recently made aware of the possibility of petitioning for CR/AR standing in 2026 through my Ventus Accommodation Advisor, at a point when I had regained stability and the ability to advocate for myself.
Although these courses were taken early in my degree, they carry a disproportionate weight on my cumulative GPA. This is particularly significant given that my more recent academic performance—especially in upper-year science courses—demonstrates a strong and consistent ability to succeed. In my current academic term, I am enrolled in a full course load of six courses and am achieving A-level performance across all of them. This recent work more accurately reflects my capabilities, discipline, and commitment to my studies.
I am now in a stable environment and have taken full responsibility for my academic direction. I am fully engaged in my coursework and committed to maintaining a high standard moving forward. I am submitting this request now because I am in a position to advocate for myself and ensure that my academic record is evaluated fairly in light of the circumstances I experienced.
I am able to provide supporting documentation to substantiate the circumstances described above. This includes records and/or correspondence from Residence Life, documentation from Student Wellness services, supporting documentation from a physician or therapist, and confirmation of my current academic performance. These materials outline both the nature and duration of the circumstances and confirm their impact on my academic functioning during the period in question.
Over the past 2.5 years, I experienced a prolonged period of instability that significantly affected my ability to perform at my academic potential. I have since taken full responsibility for my academic direction and have made a deliberate and sustained effort to regain control over my environment and performance. As I move forward through the remainder of my degree, I am fully committed to maintaining this standard and ensuring that my academic record reflects my true capabilities.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Nadia Persaud | 20395652
Dear Members of the Academic Review Committee,
I am writing to respectfully request consideration for Credit (CR) / Academic Relief (AR) standing for the following courses: [CHEM112] and [PHYS115].
I understand that requests for Credit Standing are normally required within one year of the completion of the course. However, I am requesting an exception to this timeline due to prolonged extenuating circumstances that significantly impacted both my academic performance at the time and my ability to submit this request earlier.
During my first year at Queen’s University, I experienced ongoing bullying within my residence environment, including incidents that I perceived as racially targeted. As a student of colour in my first year of university, this created an environment in which I did not feel safe, supported, or able to fully engage academically. These experiences significantly affected my confidence, sense of belonging, and ability to function at the level required for my studies.
The impact of these circumstances was not limited to a single term but extended over a prolonged period from 2023 through 2025. The environment I was in impaired my ability to maintain consistent attendance, focus during lectures, and engage with coursework effectively. While I remained enrolled and continued my studies, I was not in a stable position to perform to my true academic ability.
During this period, I sought support through Residence Life and Student Wellness services; however, the situation and its effects persisted. A licensed therapist has since described the impact of this period as consistent with symptoms of post-traumatic stress, which further contextualizes the extent to which these circumstances affected my academic functioning.
As a result of these prolonged circumstances, the grades I received in these courses do not accurately reflect my academic capabilities.
Due to the ongoing nature of these circumstances, I was also not in a position to fully understand or act on academic policies such as Credit Standing within the required one-year timeframe. I was only recently made aware of the possibility of petitioning for CR/AR standing in 2026 through my Ventus Accommodation Advisor, at a point when I had regained stability and the ability to advocate for myself.
Although these courses were taken early in my degree, they carry a disproportionate weight on my cumulative GPA. This is particularly significant given that my more recent academic performance—especially in upper-year science courses—demonstrates a strong and consistent ability to succeed. In my current academic term, I am enrolled in a full course load of six courses and am achieving A-level performance across all of them. This recent work more accurately reflects my capabilities, discipline, and commitment to my studies.
I am now in a stable environment and have taken full responsibility for my academic direction. I am fully engaged in my coursework and committed to maintaining a high standard moving forward. I am submitting this request now because I am in a position to advocate for myself and ensure that my academic record is evaluated fairly in light of the circumstances I experienced.
I am able to provide supporting documentation to substantiate the circumstances described above. This includes records and/or correspondence from Residence Life, documentation from Student Wellness services, supporting documentation from a physician or therapist, and confirmation of my current academic performance. These materials outline both the nature and duration of the circumstances and confirm their impact on my academic functioning during the period in question.
Over the past 2.5 years, I experienced a prolonged period of instability that significantly affected my ability to perform at my academic potential. I have since taken full responsibility for my academic direction and have made a deliberate and sustained effort to regain control over my environment and performance. As I move forward through the remainder of my degree, I am fully committed to maintaining this standard and ensuring that my academic record reflects my true capabilities.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Nadia Persaud | 20395652