Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

My name is Saba Soley and I’m writing to respectfully petition for Credit Standing (CR) in ECON 222 (Macroeconomic Theory I) and ECON 280 (Population and Economic Change) from the Winter 2025 term. Although I completed both courses and received passing grades, extenuating personal and medical circumstances beyond my control significantly impaired my academic performance during that term.

Throughout Winter 2025, I was living in a toxic and bullying household environment that caused ongoing stress, instability, and exhaustion. I chose to have a sublet for exchange and my 5 other housemates became extremely upset and they treated me very poorly so I wouldn't resign the lease after April.

I was rarely able to sleep at home and often stayed with friends or went back home for the weekend to protect my safety and mental wellbeing. This instability made it extremely difficult to focus, rest properly, or sustain consistent academic performance. These circumstances directly affected my concentration and exam preparation for both ECON 222 and ECON 280.

As my mental health declined, I sought support from Student Wellness Services (SWS) and I met with Brooke McLatchie, RP. The attached letter from Amber McCart, RP, Manager of Counselling Services confirms that I received mental health care during Winter 2025 and that these issues interfered with my ability to perform to my usual academic standard.

I was forced to seek legal assistance from Queen’s Legal Aid before and during the deferral period for my final exams in both courses due to my escalating housing issues. This process was emotionally distressing and time-consuming which limited my ability to study effectively or complete my exams at full capacity.

Despite these challenges, I tried my hardest in my courses and completed all required assessments. Since then, I’ve decided to move in with a dormmate from my first year who’s also going on exchange and my circumstances have improved substantially. My living environment is now stable, and I continue to maintain my mental health through ongoing self-care and professional support. My Summer 2025 GPA of 4.30 demonstrates my academic recovery and ability to perform successfully under normal conditions.

Given these factors, I am requesting that Credit Standing (CR) be granted for ECON 222 and ECON 280 so that these credits count toward my degree requirements without negatively affecting my GPA. This would more accurately reflect my capabilities and the effort I continued to make despite significant hardship.

I have attached the documentation from Student Wellness Services confirming the severity and timing of my circumstances. These documents directly connect the challenges I faced to their impact on my academic performance, as required by the Faculty’s petition guidelines.

Thank you very much for taking the time to review my request and for considering the difficult circumstances that affected my Winter 2025 term. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this context and for the support Queen’s provides to students experiencing hardship. Please let me know if any further information or documentation would be helpful.