Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to respectfully petition for an exception to the deadline for requesting academic relief and to ask that a limited number of grades be removed from my academic record so that I may complete my degree requirements.
I understand that this request falls well outside the normal timelines, and I take full responsibility for not pursuing this sooner. I hope to explain the extraordinary circumstances that prevented me from doing so.
In OSeptember 2021, during my time at Queen's University, I was sexually assaulted on campus. The impact of that experience was profound, affecting my mental health, sense of safety, and ability to engage academically. While I attempted to continue my studies, I struggled significantly in the months that followed.
Only a few months later, in January 2022, my uncle and godfather passed away unexpectedly. As I was trying to cope with this loss, one of my closest friends was experiencing severe intimate partner violence. Supporting someone I cared deeply about while managing my own trauma became overwhelming.
Unable to process these experiences in a healthy way, I developed a serious dependence on alcohol and cannabis. Rather than seeking the academic accommodations I needed, I withdrew, avoided confronting my circumstances, and allowed semesters to pass without addressing the underlying issues. This is the primary reason I failed to submit this petition within the required timeframe. At the time, I was simply not capable of advocating for myself or navigating the administrative processes necessary to seek relief.
In November 2022, tragedy struck again when my cousin, who was also one of my closest friends, died in a house fire. This compounded the grief and trauma I was already experiencing and further delayed my recovery.
During this period, I initially reached out to Student Wellness Services. Barbara Loton provided me with compassionate support, and I remain grateful for her help. However, after those initial appointments, I was unable to maintain ongoing therapy and ultimately fell through the cracks. My mental health challenges and substance dependence continued for several years, preventing me from taking the steps necessary to rebuild my academic life.
Today, my circumstances are very different. I am sober, healthy, and in a place where I can fully participate in both my education and my future career. Returning to Queen's in Fall 2025 to complete a course was a turning point. Attending campus one day each week reminded me why I came to Queen's in the first place and gave me the opportunity to prove to myself that I was capable of succeeding academically again. I finished that course with an A, demonstrating that the academic difficulties reflected on my transcript were the result of extraordinary personal circumstances rather than my academic ability or commitment.
I recognize that academic standards and deadlines exist for important reasons, and I am not asking for all of my failed courses to be removed. Rather, I am requesting compassionate consideration to remove enough of the affected grades so that my transcript more accurately reflects my academic abilities and allows me to meet the requirements to graduate.
My goal is simply to finish the degree that I have worked so hard toward. I am proud to be a Queen's student, and after years of healing and personal growth, I am ready to move forward into my professional life. I hope to graduate this fall and begin contributing to my community and career with the resilience these experiences have helped me develop.
I appreciate that this request requires careful consideration, and I am grateful for your time and willingness to review my petition. I am prepared to provide any supporting documentation that may assist in evaluating my request.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Nicholas McIlmoyle
I am writing to respectfully petition for an exception to the deadline for requesting academic relief and to ask that a limited number of grades be removed from my academic record so that I may complete my degree requirements.
I understand that this request falls well outside the normal timelines, and I take full responsibility for not pursuing this sooner. I hope to explain the extraordinary circumstances that prevented me from doing so.
In OSeptember 2021, during my time at Queen's University, I was sexually assaulted on campus. The impact of that experience was profound, affecting my mental health, sense of safety, and ability to engage academically. While I attempted to continue my studies, I struggled significantly in the months that followed.
Only a few months later, in January 2022, my uncle and godfather passed away unexpectedly. As I was trying to cope with this loss, one of my closest friends was experiencing severe intimate partner violence. Supporting someone I cared deeply about while managing my own trauma became overwhelming.
Unable to process these experiences in a healthy way, I developed a serious dependence on alcohol and cannabis. Rather than seeking the academic accommodations I needed, I withdrew, avoided confronting my circumstances, and allowed semesters to pass without addressing the underlying issues. This is the primary reason I failed to submit this petition within the required timeframe. At the time, I was simply not capable of advocating for myself or navigating the administrative processes necessary to seek relief.
In November 2022, tragedy struck again when my cousin, who was also one of my closest friends, died in a house fire. This compounded the grief and trauma I was already experiencing and further delayed my recovery.
During this period, I initially reached out to Student Wellness Services. Barbara Loton provided me with compassionate support, and I remain grateful for her help. However, after those initial appointments, I was unable to maintain ongoing therapy and ultimately fell through the cracks. My mental health challenges and substance dependence continued for several years, preventing me from taking the steps necessary to rebuild my academic life.
Today, my circumstances are very different. I am sober, healthy, and in a place where I can fully participate in both my education and my future career. Returning to Queen's in Fall 2025 to complete a course was a turning point. Attending campus one day each week reminded me why I came to Queen's in the first place and gave me the opportunity to prove to myself that I was capable of succeeding academically again. I finished that course with an A, demonstrating that the academic difficulties reflected on my transcript were the result of extraordinary personal circumstances rather than my academic ability or commitment.
I recognize that academic standards and deadlines exist for important reasons, and I am not asking for all of my failed courses to be removed. Rather, I am requesting compassionate consideration to remove enough of the affected grades so that my transcript more accurately reflects my academic abilities and allows me to meet the requirements to graduate.
My goal is simply to finish the degree that I have worked so hard toward. I am proud to be a Queen's student, and after years of healing and personal growth, I am ready to move forward into my professional life. I hope to graduate this fall and begin contributing to my community and career with the resilience these experiences have helped me develop.
I appreciate that this request requires careful consideration, and I am grateful for your time and willingness to review my petition. I am prepared to provide any supporting documentation that may assist in evaluating my request.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Nicholas McIlmoyle