Petition Letter
Dear Academic Petitions Committee,
I am writing to formally appeal, and request an exception to a degree requirement so that I may graduate with my intended degree.I am a fourth-year Bachelors of Science Honors student with a specialization in Biology and Psychology, who is scheduled to graduate in June 2026. Over my four years at Queen's I have fulfilled the requirements for an honors degree, served on student council, and worked at the Royal Military College Hospital in service to the Canadian Military.
In April 2025, I went to Queen's Student Health to consult with a doctor, as I had been experiencing severe abdominal pain for several months. After examination, an urgent ultrasound was performed at Kingston General Hospital the next day. Despite this, I was not contacted with my results for three months. After consistently calling Student Health Services, at the end of July, I was told I had a large abdominal mass measuring 15cm and was urgently referred to a gynecological specialist. Within two weeks I was scheduled to undergo open abdominal surgery due to concern the tumor could be malignant. Being in my fourth year, I was very concerned about being able to fulfill the degree requirements to graduate, as my surgical team estimated a recovery time of 2-3 months, given that the surgery was so invasive. In the hopes to still complete my degree requirements and graduate on time, I contacted a Queen’s Academic Advisor regarding appropriate course equivalents, informing them of my current and urgent medical situation. Based on this advising, I enrolled in BIOL 401 and BIOL 345 at Athabasca University as substitutes for BIOL 300 and BIOL 330.
I completed these courses in good faith, relying on the accuracy of this official guidance. However, in November 2025, I was informed by Athabasca University that BIOL 345 includes a mandatory in-person laboratory component requiring travel to Alberta. This requirement had not been communicated to me at the time of enrolment. In December 2025, my Queen’s Academic Advisor acknowledged in writing that they were unaware of this in-person requirement when recommending the course, but the concern was no longer their responsibility. I went ahead and inquired about a lab exemption from Athabasca, which was later supported by a letter from my Queen's lab professor confirming I had completed a comparable lab meeting the same learning outcomes. The waiver was then denied, and I was not informed of this denial until the end April 2026, despite having initially contacted them back in December 2025.
Due to my recent surgery and recovery, travel for an in-person lab was not medically feasible. As a result, I am now being informed that I may only graduate with a general degree until this requirement is completed.
I understand the importance of students verifying course requirements; however, given the urgency and severity of my medical situation at the time, I reasonably relied on official academic advising to guide my decisions. I disagree that I am to be held solely responsible for an advising error that has been acknowledged, when I acted in good faith under significant medical constraints.
I have made every effort to fulfill my academic requirements and successfully completed the recommended coursework. Given the combination of documented medical circumstances and reliance on inaccurate advising, I would like to formally request that my case be considered for an exception.
Specifically, I am requesting consideration of one of the following remedies; a waiver of the in-person laboratory requirement for BIOL 345, or permission to graduate with my intended degree without completion of the in-person lab component.
I am prepared to supply the supporting documentation, including medical verification and email correspondence confirming the advising error. I would appreciate the opportunity to resolve this matter fairly, and prompt given the upcoming spring Convocation Ceremony.
Thank you for your time and consideration during this busy time of year.
Sincerely,
Sydney Davenport
Student ID: 20332172
I am writing to formally appeal, and request an exception to a degree requirement so that I may graduate with my intended degree.I am a fourth-year Bachelors of Science Honors student with a specialization in Biology and Psychology, who is scheduled to graduate in June 2026. Over my four years at Queen's I have fulfilled the requirements for an honors degree, served on student council, and worked at the Royal Military College Hospital in service to the Canadian Military.
In April 2025, I went to Queen's Student Health to consult with a doctor, as I had been experiencing severe abdominal pain for several months. After examination, an urgent ultrasound was performed at Kingston General Hospital the next day. Despite this, I was not contacted with my results for three months. After consistently calling Student Health Services, at the end of July, I was told I had a large abdominal mass measuring 15cm and was urgently referred to a gynecological specialist. Within two weeks I was scheduled to undergo open abdominal surgery due to concern the tumor could be malignant. Being in my fourth year, I was very concerned about being able to fulfill the degree requirements to graduate, as my surgical team estimated a recovery time of 2-3 months, given that the surgery was so invasive. In the hopes to still complete my degree requirements and graduate on time, I contacted a Queen’s Academic Advisor regarding appropriate course equivalents, informing them of my current and urgent medical situation. Based on this advising, I enrolled in BIOL 401 and BIOL 345 at Athabasca University as substitutes for BIOL 300 and BIOL 330.
I completed these courses in good faith, relying on the accuracy of this official guidance. However, in November 2025, I was informed by Athabasca University that BIOL 345 includes a mandatory in-person laboratory component requiring travel to Alberta. This requirement had not been communicated to me at the time of enrolment. In December 2025, my Queen’s Academic Advisor acknowledged in writing that they were unaware of this in-person requirement when recommending the course, but the concern was no longer their responsibility. I went ahead and inquired about a lab exemption from Athabasca, which was later supported by a letter from my Queen's lab professor confirming I had completed a comparable lab meeting the same learning outcomes. The waiver was then denied, and I was not informed of this denial until the end April 2026, despite having initially contacted them back in December 2025.
Due to my recent surgery and recovery, travel for an in-person lab was not medically feasible. As a result, I am now being informed that I may only graduate with a general degree until this requirement is completed.
I understand the importance of students verifying course requirements; however, given the urgency and severity of my medical situation at the time, I reasonably relied on official academic advising to guide my decisions. I disagree that I am to be held solely responsible for an advising error that has been acknowledged, when I acted in good faith under significant medical constraints.
I have made every effort to fulfill my academic requirements and successfully completed the recommended coursework. Given the combination of documented medical circumstances and reliance on inaccurate advising, I would like to formally request that my case be considered for an exception.
Specifically, I am requesting consideration of one of the following remedies; a waiver of the in-person laboratory requirement for BIOL 345, or permission to graduate with my intended degree without completion of the in-person lab component.
I am prepared to supply the supporting documentation, including medical verification and email correspondence confirming the advising error. I would appreciate the opportunity to resolve this matter fairly, and prompt given the upcoming spring Convocation Ceremony.
Thank you for your time and consideration during this busy time of year.
Sincerely,
Sydney Davenport
Student ID: 20332172