Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Virginia Kairys??Richard Gotlib??3 Wellwood Ave??Toronto, ON??M6C1G8
virginia.Kairys@gmail.com

March 12, 2023

Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

We are Ben Gotlib??s parents. We are writing in support of Ben??s petition to drop CLST 334 and CLST 150 (Winter, 2022) beyond the drop deadline. As Ben has outlined, he experienced acute physical and psychological events that were beyond his control and were debilitating to his academic performance in the winter term of 2022.

In early July 2022, Ben became very seriously ill and, as a result, was hospitalized for over two weeks. We now understand that Ben??s condition was worsening over time while at Queen??s. Ben managed to do quite well during the 2021 fall term but his ability to complete his academic work suffered during the winter term. Unknown to all of us, Ben was in an acute phase of his illness leading up to his crisis in July. As a result, Ben (and our family) did not recognize the signs of his illness and impending health crisis. In the absence of the medical care he required, Ben suffered such that he did not complete his coursework.

Ben is recovering at home from his illness and learning how to manage his condition under the care of his medical team at CAMH in Toronto with our close support. As part of his recovery process, he is receiving help from his care team on planning his academic future. He is giving his academic path very careful consideration.

It has been a very difficult time for Ben to be away from Queen??s. He greatly misses his classes and his peers. He is extremely concerned about falling behind in his academics. He is very worried that his GPA may hold him back from future studies. He is very keen to resume his studies in a manageable way.

We thank you very much for considering Ben??s petition and would be pleased to provide any further information you may require.

Yours very. Truly,



Virginia Kairys??Richard Gotlib