Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Tabitha Onigbinde
20150684
June 12th, 2023

Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen’s University
Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Associate Dean

Petition for Reconsideration of Academic Decision

I am writing to petition the faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from Queen’s for one year. I believe that my academic performance was significantly affected by a variety of extenuating circumstances beyond my control. I would like to present details and documentation for your review.
I have experienced a series of challenging and intensely overwhelming events that have taken a toll on my well-being and my ability to perform academically.
My mother was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, leading to a significant decline in her health and increasing the need for my support. Her illness requires my continuous attention and presence and caused great heartache for my family and me. I was struggling to manage the caregiving responsibilities caused by medical treatments and hospital visits without much external assistance which left me both mentally and physically drained.
My beloved grandmother, for whom I was named, passed away in late 2022. In Yoruba culture, names hold great significance and are an essential part of one’s identity. Often embodying desired personal traits, aspirations, they reference circumstances surrounding a child’s birth. To be named after my grandmother is a great honor. She was my comfort. I was disheartened and miserable that I was unable to see her one last time or attend her funeral as she still lived in Nigeria.
Furthermore, a dear cousin of mine also passed away after giving birth earlier this year. We were close prior to my immigration to Canada and continued to keep in contact afterwards. Her funeral was also held in Nigeria, and I was also unable to attend her funeral.
All these things compounded, and negatively affected different aspects of my life and my academics. It was distressing and difficult to do anything. I was burnt out, numb and consequently spent many days simply lying in bed. I had difficulty reaching student wellness and finding a counsellor who would understand.
The journey of seeking a counsellor who understands the nuances and impact of navigating the intricacies of being a black African female immigrant is a difficult task to say the least. The intersectionality of race, gender and culture add layers of complexities to mental health concerns.
These extenuating circumstances affected many things including: my ability to meet deadlines and complete coursework, challenges attending class and participating, difficulty maintaining focus and concentrating during lectures.
I would like to stress that although these extenuating circumstances presented challenges to my academic progress, I am taking proactive steps to address and manage them. I am taking the following steps to address these circumstances:
Consultations with a healthcare professional to seek guidance for managing the emotional and physical impacts as well as the mental health challenges that arose. Engaging and attending counselling sessions to cope with the anxiety, grief and stress that resulted from these circumstances. While my current counselor has provided me with support, I must acknowledge that I am still actively searching for someone who can better understand and address the intricacies of the specific challenges I face. Pursuing physical fitness has helped me to better process my emotions and cope with my grief. Rekindling my relationship with God and finding my sense of purpose and identity through the peace and solace found through prayer. I had felt isolated from my community since moving to Kingston and I am actively rebuilding a relationship with fellow worshipers in Kingston. My mother’s condition has improved after switching medical treatments and she has been receiving more structured emotional, physical, and financial help.
I am reaching out over the course of the summer to my medical and personal support system to evaluate my abilities so that I may return to my studies this September. As I have progressed, I realized that my current program no longer aligns with my interests and intend on switching to a different program that does and that will allow me to explore my true academic potential. I have a passion for learning and by switching to a different program, I can channel my energy and enthusiasm into what truly excites me. I am committed to my personal growth and academic success, and I am confident that I will overcome these difficulties and resume my studies at Queen’s University with clarity and a stronger resolve.
Taking into consideration the circumstances I have outlined; I request the faculty to reconsider the decision to require me to withdraw as I believe these circumstances warrant a compassionate review of my situation.
Thank you for your time and attention to my petition. I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Tabitha Onigbinde
20150684