Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12064
Submitted: June 14, 2024 at 11:43:41 PM
First Name: Basel
Last Name: Abdelhadi
Pronoun: He/him
Student Number: 20186164
Email: 19bma3@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: Statistics
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Code: MATH 231
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: MATH 384
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: STAT 361
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Petition Letter
A. The Request:
Dear Associate Dean’s,
I am petitioning to Waive a Requirement to Withdraw for One Year for Fall 2023 and winter 2024 year, and I am petitioning to drop these courses MATH 231 (Fall 2023) and MATH 384 (Fall 2023) and STAT 361 (Fall 2023).
B. Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances:
I am writing to formally request a waiver of the requirement to withdraw for one year due to extenuating family circumstances that have significantly impacted my academic performance during the Fall 2023 semester. Starting from October 7, 2023, I have faced a very challenging and distressing period due to the tragic events in Gaza. During this time, I lost several family members from my father's side. The ongoing violence and instability in Gaza have deeply affected me, making it extremely difficult to focus on my studies. The emotional toll of losing loved ones and worrying about the safety of my remaining family members has been overwhelming. The impact of these events was particularly pronounced during the Fall 2023 semester. The stress and grief I experienced affected my ability to concentrate on assignments, quizzes, and especially my final exams. The situation in Gaza was a constant source of anxiety, and it significantly hindered my academic performance throughout the term. In addition to these personal challenges, I was also managing a heavy course load, primarily consisting of core courses necessary for my graduation. I was under immense pressure to perform well and meet high expectations, both academically and personally. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, I was unable to make the best decisions regarding course drops before the deadline. This resulted in poor performance in my courses, which has negatively affected my GPA. The cumulative stress and emotional burden over the last three months have been incredibly tough to manage. I found it increasingly difficult to stay engaged and motivated, leading to missed deadlines and suboptimal performance in my classes. The grief and anxiety I felt were overwhelming and deeply affected my mental health and academic focus. Despite these setbacks, I am committed to completing my degree and have been taking proactive steps to improve my academic standing. I am currently enrolled in summer courses to complete the 90 credits required for graduation. These courses are less demanding and have allowed me to focus better, resulting in improved academic performance. I am confident that these efforts will help raise my GPA to above 1.6. Graduating in the Fall 2024 is very important to me and my family. The delay caused by the requirement to withdraw for one year would significantly impact my academic and personal plans. I am determined to overcome these challenges and succeed in my studies, and I believe that with your support, I can achieve this goal. To address the ongoing challenges, I have sought support from counsellors and have developed strategies to manage my mental health better. I am attending regular counselling sessions and have created a structured study schedule that allows for better balance and focus. These steps have already started to show positive results, and I am confident that they will help me maintain my academic performance moving forward. I kindly ask for your understanding and consideration in waiving the requirement for my withdrawal. This would allow me to continue my education without interruption and achieve my goal of graduating in Fall 2024. I am committed to putting in the necessary work to succeed and am confident that I can overcome these challenges with the appropriate support.
Why didn’t you drop the course earlier?
I did not drop the course earlier because the emotional and psychological impact of the tragic events in Gaza was overwhelming and made it difficult for me to make clear and timely decisions regarding my academic progress. The loss of family members and the ongoing violence caused significant distress and anxiety, which impaired my ability to evaluate my situation objectively and consider the best course of action academically.
What I need for every course:
For Fall 2023:
- MATH 231, Fall 2023
- I Didn't do well in the final exam and the final exam had a 40% mark of the course.
- I need DR to drop the course after the academic deadline.
- MATH 384, Fall 2023
- I Didn't do well in the final exam and the final exam had a 50% mark of the course.
- I need DR to drop the course after the academic deadline.
- STAT 361, Fall 2023
- I Didn't do well in the final exam and the final exam had a 50% mark of the course.
- I need DR to drop the course after the academic deadline.
I hope you will consider my petition to approve my future plans. I am committed to pursuing excellence in my academic pursuits and believe that a more focused approach to my studies will enable me to achieve my goals.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
A. The Request:
Dear Associate Dean’s,
I am petitioning to Waive a Requirement to Withdraw for One Year for Fall 2023 and winter 2024 year, and I am petitioning to drop these courses MATH 231 (Fall 2023) and MATH 384 (Fall 2023) and STAT 361 (Fall 2023).
B. Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances:
I am writing to formally request a waiver of the requirement to withdraw for one year due to extenuating family circumstances that have significantly impacted my academic performance during the Fall 2023 semester. Starting from October 7, 2023, I have faced a very challenging and distressing period due to the tragic events in Gaza. During this time, I lost several family members from my father's side. The ongoing violence and instability in Gaza have deeply affected me, making it extremely difficult to focus on my studies. The emotional toll of losing loved ones and worrying about the safety of my remaining family members has been overwhelming. The impact of these events was particularly pronounced during the Fall 2023 semester. The stress and grief I experienced affected my ability to concentrate on assignments, quizzes, and especially my final exams. The situation in Gaza was a constant source of anxiety, and it significantly hindered my academic performance throughout the term. In addition to these personal challenges, I was also managing a heavy course load, primarily consisting of core courses necessary for my graduation. I was under immense pressure to perform well and meet high expectations, both academically and personally. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, I was unable to make the best decisions regarding course drops before the deadline. This resulted in poor performance in my courses, which has negatively affected my GPA. The cumulative stress and emotional burden over the last three months have been incredibly tough to manage. I found it increasingly difficult to stay engaged and motivated, leading to missed deadlines and suboptimal performance in my classes. The grief and anxiety I felt were overwhelming and deeply affected my mental health and academic focus. Despite these setbacks, I am committed to completing my degree and have been taking proactive steps to improve my academic standing. I am currently enrolled in summer courses to complete the 90 credits required for graduation. These courses are less demanding and have allowed me to focus better, resulting in improved academic performance. I am confident that these efforts will help raise my GPA to above 1.6. Graduating in the Fall 2024 is very important to me and my family. The delay caused by the requirement to withdraw for one year would significantly impact my academic and personal plans. I am determined to overcome these challenges and succeed in my studies, and I believe that with your support, I can achieve this goal. To address the ongoing challenges, I have sought support from counsellors and have developed strategies to manage my mental health better. I am attending regular counselling sessions and have created a structured study schedule that allows for better balance and focus. These steps have already started to show positive results, and I am confident that they will help me maintain my academic performance moving forward. I kindly ask for your understanding and consideration in waiving the requirement for my withdrawal. This would allow me to continue my education without interruption and achieve my goal of graduating in Fall 2024. I am committed to putting in the necessary work to succeed and am confident that I can overcome these challenges with the appropriate support.
Why didn’t you drop the course earlier?
I did not drop the course earlier because the emotional and psychological impact of the tragic events in Gaza was overwhelming and made it difficult for me to make clear and timely decisions regarding my academic progress. The loss of family members and the ongoing violence caused significant distress and anxiety, which impaired my ability to evaluate my situation objectively and consider the best course of action academically.
What I need for every course:
For Fall 2023:
- MATH 231, Fall 2023
- I Didn't do well in the final exam and the final exam had a 40% mark of the course.
- I need DR to drop the course after the academic deadline.
- MATH 384, Fall 2023
- I Didn't do well in the final exam and the final exam had a 50% mark of the course.
- I need DR to drop the course after the academic deadline.
- STAT 361, Fall 2023
- I Didn't do well in the final exam and the final exam had a 50% mark of the course.
- I need DR to drop the course after the academic deadline.
I hope you will consider my petition to approve my future plans. I am committed to pursuing excellence in my academic pursuits and believe that a more focused approach to my studies will enable me to achieve my goals.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Academic Plan
C. Future Plan:
Hi, I hope to provide you with an overview of my goals and expectations and my strategies for success.
A. The focus of your studies:
Firstly, I am focusing my studies on a specific field of interest, which is Major Statistics. My passion for this program has been growing since I started my undergraduate studies, and I have dedicated a considerable amount of time to expanding my knowledge and skills in this area. I believe that a more focused approach to my graduate studies will enable me to make significant contributions to this field and prepare me for a fulfilling career. I review and will continue to review every term for courses I need for my program, the units required, and the GPA I need to maintain to finish my degree. This is done through the academic advisement report in SOLUS and in consultation with my academic advisor.
B. Your expectations or intentions with respect to your workload:
Secondly, regarding my workload, I am fully committed to achieving excellence in my academic pursuits. I plan to devote significant time and effort to my coursework and extracurricular activities. I understand that this may require a more rigorous schedule, but I am confident in my ability to manage my time effectively and prioritize my responsibilities accordingly. Currently, I am taking four courses in the summer to complete the required 90 hours. I aim to graduate and need to improve my GPA to above 1.6 to meet the graduation requirements. If needed, I will seek help from the faculty to ensure I stay on track and achieve my academic goals.
C. Strategies for success:
Thirdly, I plan to implement several strategies to ensure success in my academic endeavours. First, I intend to set realistic goals and deadlines for myself, which will help me stay motivated and focused. Additionally, I will seek guidance and feedback from my professors and advisors, as their expertise and insights will be invaluable to my success. To maintain a healthy work-life balance and manage my time better for courses, I will actively engage with student academic success services and seek assistance from advisors when needed. If circumstances arise that affect my academic performance, I will apply for academic consideration. I will adhere to the deadlines for dropping courses, think carefully before these deadlines pass, and follow up with an advisor regarding my courses and GPA. My goal is to remove the Academic Probation status and ensure I meet all graduation requirements.
I hope you will consider my petition to approve my future plans. I am committed to pursuing excellence in my academic pursuits and believe that a more focused approach to my studies will enable me to achieve my goals.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
C. Future Plan:
Hi, I hope to provide you with an overview of my goals and expectations and my strategies for success.
A. The focus of your studies:
Firstly, I am focusing my studies on a specific field of interest, which is Major Statistics. My passion for this program has been growing since I started my undergraduate studies, and I have dedicated a considerable amount of time to expanding my knowledge and skills in this area. I believe that a more focused approach to my graduate studies will enable me to make significant contributions to this field and prepare me for a fulfilling career. I review and will continue to review every term for courses I need for my program, the units required, and the GPA I need to maintain to finish my degree. This is done through the academic advisement report in SOLUS and in consultation with my academic advisor.
B. Your expectations or intentions with respect to your workload:
Secondly, regarding my workload, I am fully committed to achieving excellence in my academic pursuits. I plan to devote significant time and effort to my coursework and extracurricular activities. I understand that this may require a more rigorous schedule, but I am confident in my ability to manage my time effectively and prioritize my responsibilities accordingly. Currently, I am taking four courses in the summer to complete the required 90 hours. I aim to graduate and need to improve my GPA to above 1.6 to meet the graduation requirements. If needed, I will seek help from the faculty to ensure I stay on track and achieve my academic goals.
C. Strategies for success:
Thirdly, I plan to implement several strategies to ensure success in my academic endeavours. First, I intend to set realistic goals and deadlines for myself, which will help me stay motivated and focused. Additionally, I will seek guidance and feedback from my professors and advisors, as their expertise and insights will be invaluable to my success. To maintain a healthy work-life balance and manage my time better for courses, I will actively engage with student academic success services and seek assistance from advisors when needed. If circumstances arise that affect my academic performance, I will apply for academic consideration. I will adhere to the deadlines for dropping courses, think carefully before these deadlines pass, and follow up with an advisor regarding my courses and GPA. My goal is to remove the Academic Probation status and ensure I meet all graduation requirements.
I hope you will consider my petition to approve my future plans. I am committed to pursuing excellence in my academic pursuits and believe that a more focused approach to my studies will enable me to achieve my goals.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC
Decision Letters
Level 1 Status
Status: DeniedLevel 2
Appeal Type: Level 2
ID: 281
Submitted: July 25, 2024 at 11:53:42 PM
Relevant Petition: 12064
Decision(s) Being Appealed: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Drop a course after the academic deadline: MATH 231, Fall 2023
Drop a course after the academic deadline: MATH 384, Fall 2023
Drop a course after the academic deadline: STAT 361, Fall 2023
Drop a course after the academic deadline: MATH 231, Fall 2023
Drop a course after the academic deadline: MATH 384, Fall 2023
Drop a course after the academic deadline: STAT 361, Fall 2023
Appeal Grounds
Appeals to the Board of Studies must include a letter based on one or more of the Grounds for Appeal (Appeal Regulation 3.4). What are the grounds you are basing your appeal on?
- The Associate Dean's decision did not follow the rules of procedural fairness. A breach of procedural fairness includes such things as the Associate Dean failed to:
- Remain unbiased when reviewing your petition.
- Follow the university rules and regulations in a way that supported your right to a fair process.
- Make a reasonable decision in your appeal. A “reasonable” decision is one that is based on evidence, thought out and supported by facts and logical inferences from the facts. To be reasonable, the decision must contain adequate reasons for the conclusions.
- The Associate Dean's decision acted without, or exceeded their, authority.
Appeal Grounds Details: Appeal Grounds Highlights
Inadequate Consideration of Extenuating Circumstances:
The Associate Dean's decision did not fully reflect the emotional and psychological distress I experienced due to the tragic events in Gaza, including the loss of several family members, which severely impacted my academic performance.
Unreasonable Expectations and Overlooked Details:
The Associate Dean’s response emphasized the need to drop courses by the established deadlines but did not take into account the escalating nature of my circumstances during the Fall 2023 semester. The ongoing on Gaza and emotional toll during the final exam season made it extraordinarily difficult to make clear academic decisions within the given timeframe.
Specific Issue with MATH 231:
MATH 231 (Introduction to Differential Equations) is equivalent to MATH 225 (Ordinary Differential Equations), which I am currently taking and expect to pass based on my current grades. Since MATH 231 will not be offered next year, it is crucial to consider dropping this course now to avoid redundancy.
Projected GPA Improvement:
My GPA is expected to rise to around 1.6 or very close to it after completing the summer courses. Achieving the necessary GPA should be a compelling reason to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year, as I am on track to meet graduation requirements and move forward with my career.
Inadequate Consideration of Extenuating Circumstances:
The Associate Dean's decision did not fully reflect the emotional and psychological distress I experienced due to the tragic events in Gaza, including the loss of several family members, which severely impacted my academic performance.
Unreasonable Expectations and Overlooked Details:
The Associate Dean’s response emphasized the need to drop courses by the established deadlines but did not take into account the escalating nature of my circumstances during the Fall 2023 semester. The ongoing on Gaza and emotional toll during the final exam season made it extraordinarily difficult to make clear academic decisions within the given timeframe.
Specific Issue with MATH 231:
MATH 231 (Introduction to Differential Equations) is equivalent to MATH 225 (Ordinary Differential Equations), which I am currently taking and expect to pass based on my current grades. Since MATH 231 will not be offered next year, it is crucial to consider dropping this course now to avoid redundancy.
Projected GPA Improvement:
My GPA is expected to rise to around 1.6 or very close to it after completing the summer courses. Achieving the necessary GPA should be a compelling reason to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year, as I am on track to meet graduation requirements and move forward with my career.
Appeal Letter
Appeal Letter: Dear Members of the Board of Studies,
I am writing to formally appeal the decision made by the Associate Dean to deny my petition to drop MATH 231, MATH 384, and STAT 361 (Fall 2023) after the academic deadline and to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year. I believe the decision did not fully consider the evidence and circumstances presented in my petition.
Firstly, the Associate Dean's decision does not adequately reflect the impact of the extenuating circumstances I outlined in my petition. I provided a detailed account of the emotional and psychological distress caused by the tragic events in Gaza, including the loss of several family members. This distress severely impacted my ability to perform academically, particularly during the final exam season. At that time, I did not have control over dropping the courses and was planning to graduate this year, making it a very difficult decision. The evidence I couldn't provide the evidence because is about my family and relatives in Gaza and we know the situation is very difficult so I couldn't provide it because it of people who died there from my family, which is hard to describe and hard to provide evidence for that clearly, indicated how these extenuating circumstances directly affected my academic performance, yet this was not sufficiently considered in the decision.
Secondly, the Associate Dean’s response emphasized that I should have dropped courses by the established deadlines, citing a previous petition decision letter from May 2023. However, this does not reasonably consider the ongoing and escalating nature of my circumstances during the Fall 2023 semester. The ongoing in Gaza and the consequent emotional toll made it extraordinarily difficult to make clear academic decisions within the given timeframe. Expecting that I should have managed to drop the courses despite the significant trauma I was experiencing seems unrealistic. The decision overlooks the fact that the cumulative emotional and psychological impact of these events severely impaired my ability to make timely and rational decisions regarding my course load.
Thirdly, the decision did not sufficiently acknowledge the proactive steps I have taken to address my academic performance. I am currently enrolled in summer courses and have shown improvement in my academic performance due to the less demanding course load. Furthermore, I have been attending regular counselling sessions and have developed strategies to manage my mental health better. These efforts were outlined in my petition, yet the decision did not adequately consider these steps or their potential positive impact on my future academic success. Overlooking these proactive measures does not appreciate my commitment to overcoming the challenges I faced and my dedication to improving my academic standing.
Additionally, I would like to address a specific point regarding MATH 231 (Introduction to Differential Equations). This course is equivalent to MATH 225 (Ordinary Differential Equations), which I am currently taking as a summer course. Based on my current grades and the progress I have made, I am confident that I will pass MATH 225 by the end of the summer term. Since MATH 231 will not be offered next year, it is crucial to consider dropping MATH 231 now, as it is effectively redundant with the successful completion of MATH 225. This redundancy should be a compelling reason to grant the petition to drop MATH 231, ensuring that my academic record accurately reflects my current and ongoing efforts to fulfill the course requirements.
Furthermore, I want to emphasize that my GPA will rise after completing the summer courses I am currently enrolled in. Based on my performance so far, I expect to achieve high grades, ranging from A to B, in most of these courses. According to the GPA calculator on Queen's Arts and Science website, my GPA is projected to rise to around 1.6 or very close to it after the 12 units of summer courses. This significant improvement means that I will meet the GPA requirement, and thus, it would be reasonable to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year. It would be disheartening if, despite achieving the necessary GPA, I am still required to withdraw, especially since I am looking to graduate this Fall with a 90-unit general degree without honours and move forward with my career.
I respectfully request that the Board of Studies reconsider my petition. I believe that a fair and reasonable decision, which fully considers the evidence and circumstances presented, would support my request to drop the courses and waive the requirement to withdraw for one year. I am committed to my academic success and have demonstrated my willingness to take the necessary steps to overcome the challenges I have faced.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Basel Abdelhadi
I am writing to formally appeal the decision made by the Associate Dean to deny my petition to drop MATH 231, MATH 384, and STAT 361 (Fall 2023) after the academic deadline and to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year. I believe the decision did not fully consider the evidence and circumstances presented in my petition.
Firstly, the Associate Dean's decision does not adequately reflect the impact of the extenuating circumstances I outlined in my petition. I provided a detailed account of the emotional and psychological distress caused by the tragic events in Gaza, including the loss of several family members. This distress severely impacted my ability to perform academically, particularly during the final exam season. At that time, I did not have control over dropping the courses and was planning to graduate this year, making it a very difficult decision. The evidence I couldn't provide the evidence because is about my family and relatives in Gaza and we know the situation is very difficult so I couldn't provide it because it of people who died there from my family, which is hard to describe and hard to provide evidence for that clearly, indicated how these extenuating circumstances directly affected my academic performance, yet this was not sufficiently considered in the decision.
Secondly, the Associate Dean’s response emphasized that I should have dropped courses by the established deadlines, citing a previous petition decision letter from May 2023. However, this does not reasonably consider the ongoing and escalating nature of my circumstances during the Fall 2023 semester. The ongoing in Gaza and the consequent emotional toll made it extraordinarily difficult to make clear academic decisions within the given timeframe. Expecting that I should have managed to drop the courses despite the significant trauma I was experiencing seems unrealistic. The decision overlooks the fact that the cumulative emotional and psychological impact of these events severely impaired my ability to make timely and rational decisions regarding my course load.
Thirdly, the decision did not sufficiently acknowledge the proactive steps I have taken to address my academic performance. I am currently enrolled in summer courses and have shown improvement in my academic performance due to the less demanding course load. Furthermore, I have been attending regular counselling sessions and have developed strategies to manage my mental health better. These efforts were outlined in my petition, yet the decision did not adequately consider these steps or their potential positive impact on my future academic success. Overlooking these proactive measures does not appreciate my commitment to overcoming the challenges I faced and my dedication to improving my academic standing.
Additionally, I would like to address a specific point regarding MATH 231 (Introduction to Differential Equations). This course is equivalent to MATH 225 (Ordinary Differential Equations), which I am currently taking as a summer course. Based on my current grades and the progress I have made, I am confident that I will pass MATH 225 by the end of the summer term. Since MATH 231 will not be offered next year, it is crucial to consider dropping MATH 231 now, as it is effectively redundant with the successful completion of MATH 225. This redundancy should be a compelling reason to grant the petition to drop MATH 231, ensuring that my academic record accurately reflects my current and ongoing efforts to fulfill the course requirements.
Furthermore, I want to emphasize that my GPA will rise after completing the summer courses I am currently enrolled in. Based on my performance so far, I expect to achieve high grades, ranging from A to B, in most of these courses. According to the GPA calculator on Queen's Arts and Science website, my GPA is projected to rise to around 1.6 or very close to it after the 12 units of summer courses. This significant improvement means that I will meet the GPA requirement, and thus, it would be reasonable to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year. It would be disheartening if, despite achieving the necessary GPA, I am still required to withdraw, especially since I am looking to graduate this Fall with a 90-unit general degree without honours and move forward with my career.
I respectfully request that the Board of Studies reconsider my petition. I believe that a fair and reasonable decision, which fully considers the evidence and circumstances presented, would support my request to drop the courses and waive the requirement to withdraw for one year. I am committed to my academic success and have demonstrated my willingness to take the necessary steps to overcome the challenges I have faced.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Basel Abdelhadi
Documentation
I plan to submit additional documentation at a later date: It is hard to provide it which I explained in the appeal letter.
History
Originally submitted June 14, 2024 at 11:43:41 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Incomplete | Kerri Andrews | 2024-06-16 8:47:27 PM | |
| status | N/A | Incomplete | In Review | Kerri Andrews | 2024-06-27 10:29:26 AM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Denied | Kerri Andrews | 2024-07-15 4:30:57 PM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D. | Kerri Andrews | 2024-07-15 4:30:57 PM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Kerri Andrews | 2024-07-15 4:31:24 PM | |
| new_appeal_level_2 | N/A | Level 2 | Level 2 Appeal ID: 281 | 19bma3 | 2024-07-25 11:53:42 PM | |
| status | N/A | Received | Partial Grant | The ADA approved the late drop petitions but the RTW1 is Proceeding to the Board of Studies | Libby Hearn | 2024-08-12 4:00:07 PM |
| status | N/A | Partial Grant | Granted with Conditions | The student’s grades from Summer 2024 are very impressive. I am willing to reconsider my decision and I will waive the RTW for this student. I will however restrict them to part time studies (maximum | Libby Hearn | 2024-08-26 2:30:31 PM |