Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13728
Submitted: November 24, 2025 at 11:04:10 AM
First Name: Arda Ulas
Last Name: Ozdemir
Pronoun: he/him
Student Number: 20370479
Email: arda.ozdemir@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BCMPH
Plan: SODE-I
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: CISC 365
Term: Fall
Year: 2025
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am requesting a late drop for CISC 365 (Fall 2025). I was unable to drop the course by the Week 8 deadline due to significant and unexpected extenuating circumstances that were beyond my control, and these circumstances directly affected my academic performance.
Throughout the term, I went through a period of serious mental-health challenges and difficult personal circumstances that escalated quickly. My difficulties intensified around the middle of the term and continued to worsen in the weeks following the drop deadline, which made it increasingly difficult to keep up with course expectations. These issues affected my ability to focus, stay on top of the material, and manage the sustained problem-solving workload that CISC 365 requires. Although I continued trying to remain engaged with the course, the severity of what I was dealing with made it extremely hard to perform at my usual level.
When my circumstances worsened, I reached out for support immediately. I have been in regular counselling through Student Wellness Services, and my therapist, Roger Davidson, has provided documentation confirming the seriousness of my situation and its impact on my academic performance. I am also registered with QSAS and have been using accommodations to help manage my coursework, and I will continue to rely on these supports moving forward.
At the time of the Week 8 drop deadline, I genuinely believed I would recover and be able to catch up. I did not yet understand the extent to which these circumstances would interfere with my ability to complete the course. Unfortunately, in the weeks after the deadline, things became harder, and despite my efforts, I was not able to keep up with the mathematical rigor and consistent weekly demands of CISC 365. While other courses were affected to some extent, this one was impacted the most because of its continuous cognitive load and workload structure.
My situation has since stabilized, and I now have more effective strategies and ongoing support in place. With these improvements, I feel confident about returning to my usual level of academic functioning. If my petition is granted, I plan to retake CISC 365 next semester, when I will be in a much stronger and more secure position to succeed. With the supports I now have and a clearer understanding of my limits, I am prepared to approach the course again responsibly and effectively.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate the opportunity to explain my circumstances.
Sincerely,
Arda Ulas Ozdemir
Student ID: 20370479
I am requesting a late drop for CISC 365 (Fall 2025). I was unable to drop the course by the Week 8 deadline due to significant and unexpected extenuating circumstances that were beyond my control, and these circumstances directly affected my academic performance.
Throughout the term, I went through a period of serious mental-health challenges and difficult personal circumstances that escalated quickly. My difficulties intensified around the middle of the term and continued to worsen in the weeks following the drop deadline, which made it increasingly difficult to keep up with course expectations. These issues affected my ability to focus, stay on top of the material, and manage the sustained problem-solving workload that CISC 365 requires. Although I continued trying to remain engaged with the course, the severity of what I was dealing with made it extremely hard to perform at my usual level.
When my circumstances worsened, I reached out for support immediately. I have been in regular counselling through Student Wellness Services, and my therapist, Roger Davidson, has provided documentation confirming the seriousness of my situation and its impact on my academic performance. I am also registered with QSAS and have been using accommodations to help manage my coursework, and I will continue to rely on these supports moving forward.
At the time of the Week 8 drop deadline, I genuinely believed I would recover and be able to catch up. I did not yet understand the extent to which these circumstances would interfere with my ability to complete the course. Unfortunately, in the weeks after the deadline, things became harder, and despite my efforts, I was not able to keep up with the mathematical rigor and consistent weekly demands of CISC 365. While other courses were affected to some extent, this one was impacted the most because of its continuous cognitive load and workload structure.
My situation has since stabilized, and I now have more effective strategies and ongoing support in place. With these improvements, I feel confident about returning to my usual level of academic functioning. If my petition is granted, I plan to retake CISC 365 next semester, when I will be in a much stronger and more secure position to succeed. With the supports I now have and a clearer understanding of my limits, I am prepared to approach the course again responsibly and effectively.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate the opportunity to explain my circumstances.
Sincerely,
Arda Ulas Ozdemir
Student ID: 20370479
Documentation
Professional Letter: ProfessionalLetter_RogerDavidson_SWS.pdf