Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13432
Submitted: July 31, 2025 at 1:29:05 AM
First Name: Tiffany
Last Name: Tham
Pronoun: She/Her
Student Number: 20352183
Email: 21tet2@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Tiffany Tham, and I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at Queen’s University. I’m writing to request permission to complete the final12.0 units of required Political Studies courses at Athabasca University or another accredited institution through a Letter of Permission for the 2025 academic year.
This request comes under the same extenuating circumstances that were reviewed last year by Dr. Jenn Stephenson, who kindly approved an exception to Regulation 14.1, allowing me to complete 12.0 POLS credits through UBC. I am deeply grateful for that decision, it allowed me to continue my education during one of the most challenging periods of my life.
In my earlier years at Queen’s, I experienced a sexual assault that left me unable to safely or confidently participate in campus life. Despite working with Barb Lotan in the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office and receiving support from various advisors, the emotional toll of being on campus proved overwhelming. Even after filing a police report, nothing came of it which lead me to be constantly afraid to bump into that individual on campus. I spent much of my first two years in isolation, struggling silently.With the support of academic advising, including guidance from Haley Everson and Emma Battersby, I made the decision to study on a Letter of Permission at UBC last year. That choice, while difficult, changed everything for me.
The distance gave me room to heal. For the first time in years, I felt clear-headed, focused, and capable. I was finally able to re-engage with my studies, and this past year has been one of tremendous personal and academic growth. I pulled myself out of a very dark place, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Initially, I had planned to transfer to UBC permanently. However, after receiving my transfer credit evaluations mid July, I realized how few of my Queen’s courses would carry over and how many additional requirements I would need to complete. As I am already entering my fourth year planning on staying for a fifth year, extending my degree even further simply wasn’t feasible. That’s why I ultimately chose to remain with Queen’s and finish my degree remotely.
In the process, I’ve reached out to Professor Rachel Laforest and Professor Laura Murray to request a program switch from the general BA to the Honours Political Studies program with a minor in English. I’ve reviewed my academic progress closely and confirmed that I can complete:
• all 15.0 units left that are required for the English minor
• and all 33.0 of my elective credits
entirely through Queen’s Arts and Science Online offerings.
The only remaining barrier is my final 12.0 units of required POLS credits, which are not offered online through Queen’s. That is why I’m writing today to request permission to complete those final credits through Athabasca University or another accredited online institution that offers Queen’s-equivalent courses.
I understand this is a significant request, but I’m hopeful that with the precedent set last year and the ongoing nature of my circumstances it can be granted. I am committed to completing my degree with integrity, and I’ve put in the work to rebuild both my academic standing and my mental health. I was able to pull myself out of the academic probation I was put on after first year and really be able to focus on studying without feeling confined to my room in Kingston. Being able to complete these courses remotely would greatly aid me in continuing on this upward slope and allow me to graduate in a timely and sustainable way. I have received tremendous support from the Queen's student services and that is something I will never forget and hold close to my heart forever. I would be extremely grateful to be able to start my journey and end my journey with Queen's.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and consider my request. I am incredibly grateful for the understanding and support I’ve received from the Queen’s community, it’s played a meaningful role in helping me move forward.
Warm regards,
Tiffany Tham
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Tiffany Tham, and I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at Queen’s University. I’m writing to request permission to complete the final12.0 units of required Political Studies courses at Athabasca University or another accredited institution through a Letter of Permission for the 2025 academic year.
This request comes under the same extenuating circumstances that were reviewed last year by Dr. Jenn Stephenson, who kindly approved an exception to Regulation 14.1, allowing me to complete 12.0 POLS credits through UBC. I am deeply grateful for that decision, it allowed me to continue my education during one of the most challenging periods of my life.
In my earlier years at Queen’s, I experienced a sexual assault that left me unable to safely or confidently participate in campus life. Despite working with Barb Lotan in the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office and receiving support from various advisors, the emotional toll of being on campus proved overwhelming. Even after filing a police report, nothing came of it which lead me to be constantly afraid to bump into that individual on campus. I spent much of my first two years in isolation, struggling silently.With the support of academic advising, including guidance from Haley Everson and Emma Battersby, I made the decision to study on a Letter of Permission at UBC last year. That choice, while difficult, changed everything for me.
The distance gave me room to heal. For the first time in years, I felt clear-headed, focused, and capable. I was finally able to re-engage with my studies, and this past year has been one of tremendous personal and academic growth. I pulled myself out of a very dark place, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Initially, I had planned to transfer to UBC permanently. However, after receiving my transfer credit evaluations mid July, I realized how few of my Queen’s courses would carry over and how many additional requirements I would need to complete. As I am already entering my fourth year planning on staying for a fifth year, extending my degree even further simply wasn’t feasible. That’s why I ultimately chose to remain with Queen’s and finish my degree remotely.
In the process, I’ve reached out to Professor Rachel Laforest and Professor Laura Murray to request a program switch from the general BA to the Honours Political Studies program with a minor in English. I’ve reviewed my academic progress closely and confirmed that I can complete:
• all 15.0 units left that are required for the English minor
• and all 33.0 of my elective credits
entirely through Queen’s Arts and Science Online offerings.
The only remaining barrier is my final 12.0 units of required POLS credits, which are not offered online through Queen’s. That is why I’m writing today to request permission to complete those final credits through Athabasca University or another accredited online institution that offers Queen’s-equivalent courses.
I understand this is a significant request, but I’m hopeful that with the precedent set last year and the ongoing nature of my circumstances it can be granted. I am committed to completing my degree with integrity, and I’ve put in the work to rebuild both my academic standing and my mental health. I was able to pull myself out of the academic probation I was put on after first year and really be able to focus on studying without feeling confined to my room in Kingston. Being able to complete these courses remotely would greatly aid me in continuing on this upward slope and allow me to graduate in a timely and sustainable way. I have received tremendous support from the Queen's student services and that is something I will never forget and hold close to my heart forever. I would be extremely grateful to be able to start my journey and end my journey with Queen's.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and consider my request. I am incredibly grateful for the understanding and support I’ve received from the Queen’s community, it’s played a meaningful role in helping me move forward.
Warm regards,
Tiffany Tham
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: My goal is to complete a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Political Studies with a minor in English over the next two academic years. I am currently entering my fourth year and planning to take a fifth year to finish my program. With the help of academic advising and department chairs, I’ve created a clear plan that allows me to complete all remaining degree requirements remotely while continuing to prioritize my health, safety, and academic success.
I have already reached out to Professor Rachel Laforest (Chair, Undergraduate Political Studies) and Professor Laura Murray (Acting Chair, Undergraduate English) to request a formal transfer from the general Political Studies BA into the Honours Political Studies program with an English minor. Based on my current progress, I have 60.0 credits remaining: 15.0 units for the English minor, 33.0 elective units, and 12.0 required POLS units. All of my English and elective courses are available through Queen’s Arts and Science Online, and I intend to complete them there. The only outstanding credits that cannot be fulfilled remotely through Queen’s are the final 12.0 units of Political Studies, which I am petitioning to complete through Athabasca University or another accredited online institution via a Letter of Permission.
This past academic year, I completed courses as a visiting student at UBC (12.0 units of POLS 300 level) while taking my electives through Queens ArtSci Online, and that shift to remote study made a remarkable difference in both my academic performance and mental health. The trauma I experienced earlier in my time at Queen’s made it incredibly difficult to function in the Queen's campus environment, and returning in person remains a significant barrier to my success. Being able to study remotely is what allowed me to re-engage with my education and regain a sense of direction. I’m determined to stay on this upward path.
To support my academic success going forward, I will continue building on the structure that worked so well for me this past year: managing a full course load across Queen’s Online and an approved host institution, staying in regular communication with academic advisors, and using academic planning tools such as SOLUS, and the Degree Plan Checklist. I also plan to maintain access to mental health support and continue part-time work, both of which give me additional stability.
With this plan in place, I am confident in my ability to complete my degree by the end of my fifth year, with a stronger GPA and clear post-graduate goals. I am committed to finishing my studies at Queen’s with focus, purpose, and integrity.
I have already reached out to Professor Rachel Laforest (Chair, Undergraduate Political Studies) and Professor Laura Murray (Acting Chair, Undergraduate English) to request a formal transfer from the general Political Studies BA into the Honours Political Studies program with an English minor. Based on my current progress, I have 60.0 credits remaining: 15.0 units for the English minor, 33.0 elective units, and 12.0 required POLS units. All of my English and elective courses are available through Queen’s Arts and Science Online, and I intend to complete them there. The only outstanding credits that cannot be fulfilled remotely through Queen’s are the final 12.0 units of Political Studies, which I am petitioning to complete through Athabasca University or another accredited online institution via a Letter of Permission.
This past academic year, I completed courses as a visiting student at UBC (12.0 units of POLS 300 level) while taking my electives through Queens ArtSci Online, and that shift to remote study made a remarkable difference in both my academic performance and mental health. The trauma I experienced earlier in my time at Queen’s made it incredibly difficult to function in the Queen's campus environment, and returning in person remains a significant barrier to my success. Being able to study remotely is what allowed me to re-engage with my education and regain a sense of direction. I’m determined to stay on this upward path.
To support my academic success going forward, I will continue building on the structure that worked so well for me this past year: managing a full course load across Queen’s Online and an approved host institution, staying in regular communication with academic advisors, and using academic planning tools such as SOLUS, and the Degree Plan Checklist. I also plan to maintain access to mental health support and continue part-time work, both of which give me additional stability.
With this plan in place, I am confident in my ability to complete my degree by the end of my fifth year, with a stronger GPA and clear post-graduate goals. I am committed to finishing my studies at Queen’s with focus, purpose, and integrity.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC