Petition Letter
I have been in communication, via email, with the Faculty of Arts and Science Appeals department, as well as the ASC Academic Advising department. I was instructed to submit an appeal through this process and explain my situation; however, my particular situation does not seem to fit strictly into any of the provided extenuating or non-extenuating circumstances.
During my course selection process, over the phone, I spoke with my faculty-specific 1st-year student services representative and requested a deferral/return to studies; a few reasons being personal and self-help related, others being COVID-19 related. The student services representative explained that she would handle my deferral process.
To further explain why I requested a deferral, throughout my entire academic career I had prepared myself for the challenges and opportunities of college. I wanted nothing more than to attend my deceased father's alma mater and begin my college journey, i.e. meeting like-minded people, joining clubs, trying out for the track team, and making friends. Though I understood Covid-19 would affect my college experience and expectations, the online learning situation, including studying physics and math courses in my room, and without any social contact was frankly a negative and depressing experience; one I did not want to repeat, thus I requested the deferral.
During the duration of my deferral, I entered therapy, self-reflected, spoke openly with friends and family, and took on an internship and productive hobbies. During this time, I also read a lot and became even more passionate about my goal of becoming an astrophysicist and returning to Queen's University once the campus reopened.
Only when I reached out to confirm Queen's would reopen campus in the Fall of 2021, and to organize on-campus housing, did I learn there was an issue with my deferral. It was quite a shock to find out my deferral was not handled properly.
During my course selection process, over the phone, I spoke with my faculty-specific 1st-year student services representative and requested a deferral/return to studies; a few reasons being personal and self-help related, others being COVID-19 related. The student services representative explained that she would handle my deferral process.
To further explain why I requested a deferral, throughout my entire academic career I had prepared myself for the challenges and opportunities of college. I wanted nothing more than to attend my deceased father's alma mater and begin my college journey, i.e. meeting like-minded people, joining clubs, trying out for the track team, and making friends. Though I understood Covid-19 would affect my college experience and expectations, the online learning situation, including studying physics and math courses in my room, and without any social contact was frankly a negative and depressing experience; one I did not want to repeat, thus I requested the deferral.
During the duration of my deferral, I entered therapy, self-reflected, spoke openly with friends and family, and took on an internship and productive hobbies. During this time, I also read a lot and became even more passionate about my goal of becoming an astrophysicist and returning to Queen's University once the campus reopened.
Only when I reached out to confirm Queen's would reopen campus in the Fall of 2021, and to organize on-campus housing, did I learn there was an issue with my deferral. It was quite a shock to find out my deferral was not handled properly.