Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: Dear Members of the Board of Studies,

I am writing to formally appeal the Associate Dean’s decision to deny my request to waive the petition deadline for ECON110 from the 2021/2022 academic year. While I understand the importance of maintaining academic integrity, I would like to provide additional clarification regarding the extenuating circumstances that significantly impacted my ability to submit the petition for ECON110 within the one-year deadline.

During the 2021/2022 academic year, I faced multiple personal and academic challenges that severely affected my ability to manage my studies. At the time, I was dealing with academic probation and the risk of a three-year academic suspension and a one-year academic suspension, which caused immense pressure. My first two appeals were directly related to my academic standing, and their outcomes were critical to my ability to remain enrolled and continue my studies in Canada. The fear of potentially losing my visa added to the immense stress I was under. As a result, I had to prioritize petitions that would directly affect my academic standing and avoid an interruption in my studies. Unfortunately, the urgency of these matters meant I was unable to address ECON110 at the time.

In addition to these academic pressures, I faced serious mental health challenges, for which I sought support from the Student Wellness Center. These struggles were compounded by a legal dispute and a personal conflict, both of which consumed much of my emotional and mental energy. I previously mentioned this legal issue in my earlier petitions but would like to offer more details on how it specifically impacted my ability to submit the petition for ECON110.

In March 2022, I was involved in a heated argument with a former friend that escalated into physical harm. Although I initially considered contacting the police, but the individual apologized and promised to move out of my apartment. However, despite this promise, he continued to visit frequently, using the guise of checking on me to enter the front door of my apartment, which led to ongoing harassment. When I tried to sever contact, the individual threatened to disclose sensitive information about a surgery I had undergone to people who know me. This threat and ongoing harassment left me emotionally drained and unable to focus on my studies.
Simultaneously, I was involved in a legal dispute with my landlord. The landlord refused to allow me to terminate my lease and threatened that failure to continue paying rent could jeopardize my visa status. Under intense pressure and lacking knowledge of my legal rights, I paid three additional months of rent, only to discover that my apartment had been rented out to someone else during that time. When I sought evidence of the landlord's actions, I faced further threats, including the involvement of the police. This situation not only took a severe emotional toll on me but also impacted my family, as my brother, who was my guarantor, was contacted by the landlord's employer, complicating matters further. The legal dispute was not resolved until October 2023 with the assistance of Queen’s legal team.

The cumulative impact of these events left me in a state where I could only focus on the most immediate academic challenges. Although I managed to submit other petitions, I was unable to handle the additional burden of petitioning for ECON110 within the required timeframe. Given the severity of the legal issue, the personal harassment, and the extended timeline of these events, I believe these circumstances prevented me from addressing the petition of ECON110 on time.

While I mentioned the legal issue in prior petitions, I would like to emphasize that this appeal specifically focuses on how these extenuating circumstances directly impacted my ability to meet the deadline for ECON110. I believe these factors warrant reconsideration of my petition for this course.

Retaking ECON110 is not a feasible option for me given my current academic schedule. I am enrolled in seven courses for Fall 2024 and plan to take eight courses for Winter 2025, alongside five courses at Athabasca University through a Letter of Permission. This demanding academic load reflects my commitment to graduating on time and applying for graduate school by June 2025. Retaking ECON110 would not only delay my graduation but also hinder my academic plans.

I hope that, given the detailed explanation of my extenuating circumstances and the supporting documentation, you will reconsider my request. I am fully dedicated to my academic success and am doing everything I can to meet my future goals. Please let me know if there is any additional information or documentation I can provide.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration.


Sincerely,
Wanting Huang 20264999