Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: May 21, 2025

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



Dear Dr. Stephenson,

My name is Gabrielle Stan, and I am an undergraduate student in my final year of study at Queen’s University. I am writing to respectfully request a waiver of the deadline for late course drops.

I understand that the deadline to petition for a late course drop is typically within one year of the term in which the class was offered. However, the courses I am petitioning to drop fall well outside this window, as I began my undergraduate studies in 2008. I hope that, given the extenuating circumstances I outline below, an exception can be made.

In the 2010–2011 academic year, my mental health began to decline significantly, which had a growing impact on my academic performance. By the Fall 2011 term, I was experiencing worsening symptoms. At the urging of a close friend, I sought help from a counsellor in December 2011, and shortly after, a physician diagnosed me with depression.

Although I made efforts to manage my coursework, such as beginning the process of requesting extensions and trying to stay engaged, my symptoms made it difficult to follow through. I was dealing with concentration issues, mental fog, fatigue, and impaired executive functioning, all of which impacted my ability to initiate a formal petition at the time.

While my mental health stabilized some in my fourth year with the support of my counsellor and doctor, I ultimately required a fifth year to complete my degree. Unfortunately, my depression worsened in 2012–2013. During this time, I struggled not only academically, but also in daily functioning. My ability to complete tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain responsibilities in both academic and personal domains was deeply affected.

Though I continued with counselling and medical treatment, I was still unable to complete the process of petitioning to drop courses, despite intending to do so. At the end of that academic year, I returned home to British Columbia and stepped away from my studies, resigning myself to the idea that I would not be able to complete my degree.

Despite reduced academic pressures, my symptoms persisted. Without nearby access to my counsellor or physician, and without having shared the full extent of my struggles with my family, I navigated this difficult period largely on my own, supported only by my doctor and my partner. I did not have the capacity at that time to take the steps necessary to drop courses, request a formal leave, or arrange for future academic plans.

Over the following years, my mental health gradually improved. In 2020, I returned to Queen’s to complete my degree part-time from BC. Since resuming my studies, I have demonstrated consistent academic success. My recent transcript reflects the work ethic, ability, and commitment that I bring to my education - qualities that were not visible during the earlier years of my degree, when my academic record was shaped by my growing depression.

Currently, I am preparing to graduate, and I would like to bring closure to this chapter of my life by dropping the courses I took during a time that does not reflect who I am or how I engage with my education. These grades are not an accurate representation of my academic ability, effort, or intent.

The following are the courses for which I am requesting a waiver of the late drop deadline:

FREN 393 Morphologie Et Lexicologie - 2011 Winter
INTS 322 Conflict & Culture: Literature, Law, and Human Rights - 2011 Winter

FREN 325 Tendances avant-gardistes - 2011 Fall
FREN 351 Écrits de la Francophonie - 2011 Fall

FREN 424 Le roman français 20e siècle - 2012 Fall
FREN 488 Roman des lumières - 2012 Fall
FREN 333 La Poésie Québécoise - 2013 Winter
FREN 390 La femme et/dans la littérature - 2013 Winter
FREN 493 Acquisition d’une langue seconde - 2013 Winter


Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I would be grateful for the opportunity to have my academic record better reflect the context of my experience, and the resilience it has taken to return and complete my degree. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if further clarification is needed.

Sincerely,

Gabrielle Stan
05802899
8gss@queensu.ca