Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13331
Submitted: June 11, 2025 at 10:27:29 PM
First Name: Manuel
Last Name: Chavarria
Pronoun: He/Him
Preferred Name: Manuel
Student Number: 20369593
Email: manuel.chavarria@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: Econ
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Stephenson,
I am writing to respectfully request a waiver of the three-year withdrawal requirement, as outlined in the letter I received on May 21, 2025.
Being forced to pause my education for three years would severely hinder my personal and professional growth. By the time I’d be eligible to return, I would be well into my twenties. My time at Queen’s and living in Kingston has been pivotal to my identity. Although I’ve struggled academically, my time here has helped me build powerful relationships through competitive extracurricular activities and gain real-world experiences as a business owner. My company is on track to generate six figures by the end of the summer. I share this not to excuse my grades but to demonstrate my work ethic, drive, and potential.
This past academic year was marked by serious personal and mental health challenges that negatively impacted my ability to manage my coursework, oftentimes feeling “lost”. Since then, I’ve started taking clear steps to get back on track. I am currently pursuing medical support and working toward getting properly assessed and medicated through Ontario’s mental health system. This is an ongoing process, but I am committed to following through and building a healthier, more stable foundation for academic success.
Writing this petition itself is an act of commitment to myself. It reflects my willingness to take responsibility for my past, to ask for help, and to fight for a better future. I want to be better — as a student, a person, and a contributor to the Queen’s community. This petition is the first step in that process.
Thank you for considering my request. I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and demonstrate that I can thrive with the right support systems in place. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if any additional information is needed.
Sincerely,
Manuel Chavarria
#20369593
I am writing to respectfully request a waiver of the three-year withdrawal requirement, as outlined in the letter I received on May 21, 2025.
Being forced to pause my education for three years would severely hinder my personal and professional growth. By the time I’d be eligible to return, I would be well into my twenties. My time at Queen’s and living in Kingston has been pivotal to my identity. Although I’ve struggled academically, my time here has helped me build powerful relationships through competitive extracurricular activities and gain real-world experiences as a business owner. My company is on track to generate six figures by the end of the summer. I share this not to excuse my grades but to demonstrate my work ethic, drive, and potential.
This past academic year was marked by serious personal and mental health challenges that negatively impacted my ability to manage my coursework, oftentimes feeling “lost”. Since then, I’ve started taking clear steps to get back on track. I am currently pursuing medical support and working toward getting properly assessed and medicated through Ontario’s mental health system. This is an ongoing process, but I am committed to following through and building a healthier, more stable foundation for academic success.
Writing this petition itself is an act of commitment to myself. It reflects my willingness to take responsibility for my past, to ask for help, and to fight for a better future. I want to be better — as a student, a person, and a contributor to the Queen’s community. This petition is the first step in that process.
Thank you for considering my request. I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and demonstrate that I can thrive with the right support systems in place. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if any additional information is needed.
Sincerely,
Manuel Chavarria
#20369593
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Academic Plan — Manuel Chavarria (Student ID: 20369593)
A. Focus of My Studies
In the past, I enrolled in several math-intensive courses that I now recognize were not aligned with my strengths or long-term goals. These courses contributed significantly to my academic struggles — both in terms of content and personal confidence. Through reflection and discussions with academic advisors, I’ve come to realize that my interests and abilities lie in more applied and communication-focused fields, which better reflect my real-world strengths and career aspirations.
B. Course Load and Academic Intentions
To demonstrate academic growth and avoid repeating past mistakes, I plan to return to Queen’s as a part-time student. I intend to enroll in fewer than 12.0 units per term — likely 3 courses (9.0 units) initially — to ensure I can manage the workload effectively, build strong academic habits, and sustain progress across the semester. This will allow me to rebuild both confidence and academic momentum in a sustainable way.
C. Strategies for Academic Success
Medical Support
I am currently pursuing medical evaluation and treatment for mental health concerns through Ontario’s healthcare system. My goal is to receive appropriate medication and ongoing support to improve focus, emotional regulation, and cognitive clarity.
Academic Advising
I have reached out to an Academic Advisor and will continue to work closely with them to select appropriate courses, revise my degree trajectory, and — if possible — arrange regular check-ins throughout the semester to stay on track and avoid academic or administrative setbacks.
Study Skills & Time Management
I will attend workshops through Student Academic Success Services (SASS) focused on time management, exam prep, and effective study techniques. I also plan to use weekly planners and digital tools to track assignments and avoid falling behind.
D. Reflection and Commitment
This plan reflects the lessons I’ve learned over the past year. I now understand the importance of structure, and asking for help. By returning part-time, shifting into a more suitable field, and leveraging the supports available to me, I am confident I can make meaningful academic progress. I want to build a life I’m proud of — this academic plan represents my full commitment to being better and showing what I’m truly capable of with the right foundation in place.
Thank you for reading this, it means alot.
A. Focus of My Studies
In the past, I enrolled in several math-intensive courses that I now recognize were not aligned with my strengths or long-term goals. These courses contributed significantly to my academic struggles — both in terms of content and personal confidence. Through reflection and discussions with academic advisors, I’ve come to realize that my interests and abilities lie in more applied and communication-focused fields, which better reflect my real-world strengths and career aspirations.
B. Course Load and Academic Intentions
To demonstrate academic growth and avoid repeating past mistakes, I plan to return to Queen’s as a part-time student. I intend to enroll in fewer than 12.0 units per term — likely 3 courses (9.0 units) initially — to ensure I can manage the workload effectively, build strong academic habits, and sustain progress across the semester. This will allow me to rebuild both confidence and academic momentum in a sustainable way.
C. Strategies for Academic Success
Medical Support
I am currently pursuing medical evaluation and treatment for mental health concerns through Ontario’s healthcare system. My goal is to receive appropriate medication and ongoing support to improve focus, emotional regulation, and cognitive clarity.
Academic Advising
I have reached out to an Academic Advisor and will continue to work closely with them to select appropriate courses, revise my degree trajectory, and — if possible — arrange regular check-ins throughout the semester to stay on track and avoid academic or administrative setbacks.
Study Skills & Time Management
I will attend workshops through Student Academic Success Services (SASS) focused on time management, exam prep, and effective study techniques. I also plan to use weekly planners and digital tools to track assignments and avoid falling behind.
D. Reflection and Commitment
This plan reflects the lessons I’ve learned over the past year. I now understand the importance of structure, and asking for help. By returning part-time, shifting into a more suitable field, and leveraging the supports available to me, I am confident I can make meaningful academic progress. I want to build a life I’m proud of — this academic plan represents my full commitment to being better and showing what I’m truly capable of with the right foundation in place.
Thank you for reading this, it means alot.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC
Documentation Detail: Doctor's note for medication and treatment, switching from Alberta to Ontario health care
Decision Letters
History
Originally submitted June 11, 2025 at 10:27:29 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Incomplete | Kerri Andrews | 2025-06-13 1:47:19 PM | |
| status | N/A | Incomplete | In Review | Kerri Andrews | 2025-06-24 4:02:20 PM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Denied | Kerri Andrews | 2025-07-07 3:47:50 PM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Scott-Morgan Straker (Acting Associate Dean) | Kerri Andrews | 2025-07-07 3:47:50 PM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Kerri Andrews | 2025-07-07 3:48:30 PM |