Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello, my name is Warsame Raghe and I have just completed my first year at Queen's University under the Arts and Science program. I am writing to you today as I have just been informed that I am required to withdraw for one year from the University due to my academic standing, and I wish to appeal this decision. I have a variety of extenuating circumstances that have halted me in my studies at the University.

My father was diagnosed with a chronic lung disease a few years ago known as Pulmonary Fibrosis. As an immigrant family of 6 from a low-income neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, it devastated my family, and there were dire financial implications that came with this for a few years as he was going through his treatment. As a result of the disease, he was unable to work and was forced to leave his job, meaning that my mother had to work two jobs in order to support the family. To this day my mother continues to work two jobs as my father recovers from the aftermath of the disease. When I was accepted to Queen's University, last year (March 2014), it brought hope,optimism, and strength to my family as it had finally looked as if all the struggles that have hit our lives will pay off with attending Queen's University and getting a quality education however my first year hadn't panned out as i hoped.Throughout the school year, my family has come across various financial struggles that were threatening to our future, and thus it brought emotional stress,grief, and guilt on myself during my first year at Queens, and thus my grades were not up to par. I should have used the various resources that were available to me such as the Learning and Writing Centre and speaking with advisors, but I didn't seek help, mainly because I thought I didn't need it, and I wasn't aware that my academic standing was in jeopardy.

I am confident that I am a good student, and I am confident that academically I can handle the course load at Queen's University, but I believe that my first year at Queen's isn't a strong measurement of whether or not I'm a good student. My family's financial struggles have stabilized, and we are now starting to be at a good place, and it's unfortunate that while all this hope is now happening in my life, withdrawing from the University will derail it. I believe that if I had the 2015-2016 school year as a clean slate, to come in with a clear goal, and not have extenuating circumstances clouding my mind, I can prove why I was accepted to Queen's in the first place.I understand the intention of the University, by asking me to withdraw for one year, for myself to regroup and understand what I want for my future and if Queen's is right for me. I know that Queen's University is right for me, and I believe although the intention is good, withdrawing for one year would be counter-productive in my case, it would be disruptive and hard for me to reach my potential in my future studies by not attending the University during the 2015-2016 school year and would cause serious financial implications that my family has already bent over backwards to avoid. I have detailed in the academic plan that I will seek the resources that are available to me (Learning Centre, Writing Centre, Workshops, and Advisors) , and I will abide by this plan regularly to ensure that I stay on track towards completion,but I need this second chance to prove myself. I have spoken with Counselling services at Queens, and I've told my story, and with their support and letter on my behalf, I hope that this is sufficient enough to grant my appeal and allow me to enter Queen's University during the 2015-2016 school year