Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Studies),
I am writing to request to withdraw from my courses at Queen's University without academic penalty.
I have recently returned to BC to be with my family after my mother was admitted to Palliative Care and subsequently passed away due to metastatic breast cancer.
When I began school in September the oncologist had told my family that there would be no problems with me being away from home, and at the rate the cancer was growing my mom had many years left ahead of her. They were giving my mom chemotherapy that was supposed to slow the spread of the cancer. By the end of October my mom was admitted to hospital as her condition had changed to something much more critical.
I flew to BC on November 8th with a return flight booked for November 11th. We believed I would be able to visit my mom in the hospital for a weekend and return, as the doctors still felt she had months left to live. Plans quickly changed over that weekend as my mom's pain increased and the cancer continued to spread at a much faster rate. I did not want to leave my family at such a serious time and so it was decided that I would stay home and support my family.
My mom passed away the morning of November 17th. I am now at a point where I have missed a considerable amount of school, and I am not emotionally ready to leave home or my family. My mom and I were very close, and she has supported me so much, especially in getting to Queen's.
I am not sure what my future plans are for continuing my education after this year. I have talked with my dad and have so far decided I will find a job and work to save for university next year, as I have already used most of my scholarships this year at Queen's. I am also looking into applying to university in BC for next year so I can be closer to home and my family.
My family will also be seeing a counsellor to handle our loss and take our time to grieve.
Thank you for considering my application. I hate to be writing this letter as I worked very hard to go to Queen's, however I need to take some time to regroup and process what has happened. If you need any additional information, I can be reached at 18ekvh@queensu.ca.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Van Horne
Student ID 20143365
I am writing to request to withdraw from my courses at Queen's University without academic penalty.
I have recently returned to BC to be with my family after my mother was admitted to Palliative Care and subsequently passed away due to metastatic breast cancer.
When I began school in September the oncologist had told my family that there would be no problems with me being away from home, and at the rate the cancer was growing my mom had many years left ahead of her. They were giving my mom chemotherapy that was supposed to slow the spread of the cancer. By the end of October my mom was admitted to hospital as her condition had changed to something much more critical.
I flew to BC on November 8th with a return flight booked for November 11th. We believed I would be able to visit my mom in the hospital for a weekend and return, as the doctors still felt she had months left to live. Plans quickly changed over that weekend as my mom's pain increased and the cancer continued to spread at a much faster rate. I did not want to leave my family at such a serious time and so it was decided that I would stay home and support my family.
My mom passed away the morning of November 17th. I am now at a point where I have missed a considerable amount of school, and I am not emotionally ready to leave home or my family. My mom and I were very close, and she has supported me so much, especially in getting to Queen's.
I am not sure what my future plans are for continuing my education after this year. I have talked with my dad and have so far decided I will find a job and work to save for university next year, as I have already used most of my scholarships this year at Queen's. I am also looking into applying to university in BC for next year so I can be closer to home and my family.
My family will also be seeing a counsellor to handle our loss and take our time to grieve.
Thank you for considering my application. I hate to be writing this letter as I worked very hard to go to Queen's, however I need to take some time to regroup and process what has happened. If you need any additional information, I can be reached at 18ekvh@queensu.ca.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Van Horne
Student ID 20143365