Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Over the past two years, I have encountered numerous unexpected and compounding life challenges that have significantly impacted my capacity to engage with my coursework as initially intended. These events affected my ability to predict my capacity to complete my studies, even with considerations, leading to a period of exceptional personal difficulty that I would like to briefly outline here.

Winter 2023: During this term, I was supporting my mother through intense cancer treatment, managing reconciliation after a temporary separation due to my husband’s mental health crisis, and undergoing multiple surgeries myself (two on my feet and one on my scalp). I was enrolled in three courses: I successfully completed HLTH 230, earned a low grade in PSYC 271 due to ungraded assignments (which I am working with my instructor to rectify now and am assured will be updated in SOLUS by the end of October 2024), and despite my best efforts, I could not complete PSYC 251. I retook PSYC 251 in Winter 2024 and earned an A-.

Summer 2023: This term was marked by the start of a legal case in Superior Court and a second scalp surgery. Additionally, it was a challenging period as my sister came to stay with us while I supported her through a separation and legal matters relating to her husband developing a severe alcohol dependency. Consequently, I had to drop all courses.

Fall 2023: Despite intending to complete four courses, I deferred RELS 131 (which I completed successfully in Winter 2024) and ultimately failed the remaining three courses due to unanticipated complications, including an unexpected pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage, which led to severe postpartum depression.

Summer 2024: Unfortunately, despite my greatest efforts to prevent this outcome, I experienced burnout after an extended period of accumulated stress. I completed two courses with academic considerations but could not apply manageable considerations to DEVS 220 and subsequently failed that course.

My counselor advised me throughout this period to prioritize my mental and physical well-being above academic demands to help prevent burnout. The unpredictable nature of the majority of these events made it nearly impossible to predict my capacity day-to-day, week-to-week, or semester-to-semester.

Now that many of the challenges I faced have largely resolved, I have regained the capacity to focus on my studies fully and am successfully managing a full five-course load this term. With renewed energy and stability, I am committed to addressing the impact these past difficulties had on my academic record and am actively taking steps to ensure my transcript reflects my true abilities and dedication.

Steps Taken to Rectify Grades:
• My PSYC 236 grade has been updated in SOLUS following the application of academic considerations and grading of previously unmarked assignments.
• PSYC 271 grade will be updated in SOLUS by the end of this month following the grading of previously unmarked assignments.
• My IDIS 173 grade will also be updated this month, and has been confirmed as an A+, after applying consideration and marking previously unmarked assignments.

In light of all the above, I have respectfully submitted a request a late drop of four courses from my transcript without academic penalty:
• DEVS 220 (Summer 2024)
• HLTH 102 (Fall 2023)
• PSYC 221 (Fall 2023)
• PSYC 241 (Fall 2023)

Additionally, in this request I ask you to waive the petition deadline for the following class, as this request falls outside one year from the end of the term in which the course was offered:
• PSYC 251 (Winter 2023)

My education is crucial to me as I aim to pursue further studies in Social Work. Having my transcript reflect a dropped rather than a failed status in these courses would better represent my academic abilities and acknowledge the impact of the recent challenges I faced.

Thank you for considering my request. Please feel free to contact me at 21vjq@queensu.ca or 519-505-3804 if you need any additional information.

Sincerely,
Veronica Qubrossi