Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Dorit Naaman,


I am formally requesting consideration for a late withdrawal from the following courses: FILM 111, ENGL 273, ENGL 238, and ENGL 200, all scheduled during the Fall 2025 term. This request is based on extenuating medical circumstances that arose unexpectedly beyond my control, significantly impacting my ability to meet academic requirements and drop these courses before the deadline.
In November 2025, I suffered a serious and sudden medical issue that required immediate attention and ongoing care. From approximately November 1st to December 20th 2025, I experienced symptoms that interfered with my ability to attend classes consistently, complete coursework, and prepare adequately for evaluations, which overall directly impacted my grades. The severity of my situation made it difficult to maintain the level of academic engagement expected across my full course load, with these four courses receiving the largest negative impact. My remaining course for that term, PROF 310, had the majority of its assessments due in the Winter term, so the effects were something I could recover from in January and beyond. Before this escalation, I felt confident in my abilities to meet academic expectations in all my courses, so I felt no inclination to drop them before week 8. It became increasingly evident that I would not be able to fulfill course requirements while putting my recovery first, despite my best efforts to manage both my health and academic obligations.
Since then, I have sought appropriate medical care, followed the guidance of both a healthcare professional and Queen’s academic advisors, and acquired the supporting documentation from my doctor to verify the timeline and severity of my condition. Where possible, I also attempted to communicate with my instructors, but due to the nature and timing of my illness, I was not always able to do so proactively or consistently. I emphasise that this situation was unforeseen and not reflective of my typical academic performance and commitment. With a previously strong and reliable academic record, I made the Dean’s Honour List for the 2023–2024 school year.
If my petition is granted, I have a plan in development to support my future academic success with my health being actively managed. In order to complete my degree requirements, I intend to retake ENGL200 and the number of 200-level English classes required next year. I am prepared to continue my studies at Queen’s for an additional term or year if necessary as well to complete these requirements. I will continue to follow up regularly with my healthcare provider to monitor my recovery and maintain my well-being, as well as seek support through campus resources such as academic advising or counseling services. These adjustments will allow me to resume my studies fully engaged and with the ability to successfully meet academic expectations.
Given these circumstances, I would like to request a grant in approval for a late withdrawal from the courses listed above without academic penalty. I believe this outcome would fairly reflect the impact of my situation while allowing me to continue my academic progress at Queen’s moving forward.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my request. Please let me know if you require any additional information or documentation.
Sincerely,
Hannah Thomas
Student number: 20420299
Student email: gqgc23@queensu.ca