Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 14484
Submitted: June 15, 2026 at 10:37:57 PM
First Name: Abishek
Last Name: Gobinath
Pronoun: He/Him
Student Number: 20425068
Email: 23kk4@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BACH
Plan: COMP
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to respectfully petition the Faculty’s decision requiring my withdrawal from Queen’s University. I understand that my academic performance during the 2025-2026 school year was unsatisfactory. I would like to provide context regarding the mental and physical health challenges that led to this outcome and the steps I am taking to address them.
Throughout the year, I continued to struggle with my previously diagnosed depression and ADHD. Despite my efforts to address these challenges after my previous petition, I was unable to achieve the stability necessary for academic success. I also struggled to consistently remain on prescribed medications due to side effects and ongoing gastrointestinal health concerns, which complicated treatment and contributed to periods of instability. Together, these challenges affected my ability to concentrate, remain organized, attend classes consistently, and maintain an effective academic routine.
After my previous petition, I intended to improve both my academic standing and my overall well-being. However, I did not fully realize how significantly a separate and progressively worsening health condition was contributing to my struggles. I mentioned psoriasis in my previous petition, and the condition continued to worsen substantially throughout the following year and had a far greater impact on my ability to function than I thought at the time.
I have lived with plaque psoriasis since early highschool, but it was not nearly as bad as it has gotten in recent years. Phototherapy showed substantial improvement in the past but I did not have access to it once I moved to Kingston. Despite the efforts to manage the condition, my symptoms continued to get worse over the years. By late 2025, psoriasis affected most of my body and was accompanied by nail involvement, joint pain, fatigue, discomfort, and persistent flare-ups. The visible nature of the condition significantly worsened my existing tendency towards social isolation and negatively affected my confidence, motivation, and overall mental well-being. As my physical and mental health deteriorated together, I became increasingly withdrawn from both daily activities and my academic responsibilities.
After enduring several years of worsening symptoms, I was finally able to get an appointment in Kingston and was able to access dermatology care in Spring 2026. My dermatologist documented extensive plaque psoriasis involving more than 10% of my body surface area, affected nails, joint symptoms, which raised concern for possible psoriatic arthritis. Previous treatment attempts, including methotrexate, were ultimately unsuccessful. And additional bloodwork identified elevated liver function markers and triglycerides, which prevented the use of one planned medication and required a change in treatment. Due to the extent of my disease, previous treatment failures, and concern for possible psoriatic arthritis, a new treatment plan involving Tremfya has now been initiated, and a referral to rheumatology has been placed. This assessment provided a much clearer understanding of the severity of my condition and its impact on my ability to function. More importantly, I was able to get a treatment plan specifically designed for my situation.
Although treatment is still in its early stages, I am now in a substantially different position than I was during the academic year in question because this condition is now being actively managed and monitored through ongoing medical care. I believe this gives me a stronger foundation to manage both my physical and mental health challenges moving forward and to make meaningful progress toward academic success. I respectfully ask the faculty to consider my petition and allow me the opportunity to continue my studies. Thank you for taking time to read my petition.
Sincerely,
Abishek Gobinath
#20425068
I am writing to respectfully petition the Faculty’s decision requiring my withdrawal from Queen’s University. I understand that my academic performance during the 2025-2026 school year was unsatisfactory. I would like to provide context regarding the mental and physical health challenges that led to this outcome and the steps I am taking to address them.
Throughout the year, I continued to struggle with my previously diagnosed depression and ADHD. Despite my efforts to address these challenges after my previous petition, I was unable to achieve the stability necessary for academic success. I also struggled to consistently remain on prescribed medications due to side effects and ongoing gastrointestinal health concerns, which complicated treatment and contributed to periods of instability. Together, these challenges affected my ability to concentrate, remain organized, attend classes consistently, and maintain an effective academic routine.
After my previous petition, I intended to improve both my academic standing and my overall well-being. However, I did not fully realize how significantly a separate and progressively worsening health condition was contributing to my struggles. I mentioned psoriasis in my previous petition, and the condition continued to worsen substantially throughout the following year and had a far greater impact on my ability to function than I thought at the time.
I have lived with plaque psoriasis since early highschool, but it was not nearly as bad as it has gotten in recent years. Phototherapy showed substantial improvement in the past but I did not have access to it once I moved to Kingston. Despite the efforts to manage the condition, my symptoms continued to get worse over the years. By late 2025, psoriasis affected most of my body and was accompanied by nail involvement, joint pain, fatigue, discomfort, and persistent flare-ups. The visible nature of the condition significantly worsened my existing tendency towards social isolation and negatively affected my confidence, motivation, and overall mental well-being. As my physical and mental health deteriorated together, I became increasingly withdrawn from both daily activities and my academic responsibilities.
After enduring several years of worsening symptoms, I was finally able to get an appointment in Kingston and was able to access dermatology care in Spring 2026. My dermatologist documented extensive plaque psoriasis involving more than 10% of my body surface area, affected nails, joint symptoms, which raised concern for possible psoriatic arthritis. Previous treatment attempts, including methotrexate, were ultimately unsuccessful. And additional bloodwork identified elevated liver function markers and triglycerides, which prevented the use of one planned medication and required a change in treatment. Due to the extent of my disease, previous treatment failures, and concern for possible psoriatic arthritis, a new treatment plan involving Tremfya has now been initiated, and a referral to rheumatology has been placed. This assessment provided a much clearer understanding of the severity of my condition and its impact on my ability to function. More importantly, I was able to get a treatment plan specifically designed for my situation.
Although treatment is still in its early stages, I am now in a substantially different position than I was during the academic year in question because this condition is now being actively managed and monitored through ongoing medical care. I believe this gives me a stronger foundation to manage both my physical and mental health challenges moving forward and to make meaningful progress toward academic success. I respectfully ask the faculty to consider my petition and allow me the opportunity to continue my studies. Thank you for taking time to read my petition.
Sincerely,
Abishek Gobinath
#20425068
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: If my petition is granted, I will focus on maintaining stability through a structured academic and health management plan. From a health perspective, I will continue ongoing treatment for my physical condition, including regular dermatology care for psoriasis and continued Tremfya treatment. I will also follow up with rheumatology for further assessment where required. I will continue managing my mental health in consultation with my physician, including reviewing appropriate medication options once my liver function and gastrointestinal issues have stabilized. In addition, I will make consistent use of university support resources and maintain regular check-ins with both academic advisors and healthcare providers to ensure I remain on track academically and medically.
Documentation
Professional Letter: Dermatologist_Note_1.pdf
Documentation Detail: I included 2 notes from my Dermatologist, and might send seperate documentation for proof of Tremfya therapy, if applicable
Decision Letters
Level 1 Status
Status: DeniedLevel 2
Appeal Type: Level 2
ID: 376
Submitted: July 17, 2026 at 9:35:29 PM
Relevant Petition: 14484
Decision(s) Being Appealed: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Appeal Grounds
Appeals to the Board of Studies must include a letter based on one or more of the Grounds for Appeal (Appeal Regulation 3.4). What are the grounds you are basing your appeal on?
- The Associate Dean's decision did not follow the rules of procedural fairness. A breach of procedural fairness includes such things as the Associate Dean failed to:
- Make a reasonable decision in your appeal. A “reasonable” decision is one that is based on evidence, thought out and supported by facts and logical inferences from the facts. To be reasonable, the decision must contain adequate reasons for the conclusions.
Appeal Grounds Details: I am appealing on the ground that the Associate Dean’s decision was not reasonable. A central reason for denying my petition was that my documentation did not explain why I failed to withdraw from my courses before the applicable deadlines. However, I believe the decision did not fully consider how my worsening physical and mental health affected my ability to evaluate my situation, seek help, and make the decision to withdraw.
The decision also appears to have treated the June 26, 2026 email as an indication of when my circumstances or treatment began. The additional documentation clarifies that my medical circumstances and attempts to access specialist care had been ongoing much earlier. The May 2024 referral documents my physician’s attempt to establish continuing dermatological care after I moved to Kingston, while the May 2025 referrals document depression, anxiety, isolation from family support, and the effect of my condition on my well-being and academic performance.
I therefore believe the decision did not fully account for the timeline, severity, and academic impact of my documented medical circumstances. My attached appeal letter and additional medical documentation explain these concerns in greater detail.
The decision also appears to have treated the June 26, 2026 email as an indication of when my circumstances or treatment began. The additional documentation clarifies that my medical circumstances and attempts to access specialist care had been ongoing much earlier. The May 2024 referral documents my physician’s attempt to establish continuing dermatological care after I moved to Kingston, while the May 2025 referrals document depression, anxiety, isolation from family support, and the effect of my condition on my well-being and academic performance.
I therefore believe the decision did not fully account for the timeline, severity, and academic impact of my documented medical circumstances. My attached appeal letter and additional medical documentation explain these concerns in greater detail.
Appeal Letter
Appeal Letter: Dear Members of the Board of Studies,
I am appealing the Associate Dean’s decision to deny my petition to waive the Requirement to Withdraw for One Year on the ground that the decision was not reasonable. I appreciate the consideration given to my first-level petition. However, I believe the decision did not fully account for the timeline of my medical circumstances, the effect they had on my ability to function and make academic decisions, and the additional medical documentation that addresses the concerns raised in the decision letter.
A central reason for the denial was that my documentation did not establish why I failed to withdraw from my courses before the applicable deadlines. I understand why this was a concern. However, my failure to withdraw was itself connected to the decline in my physical and mental health during this period.
As my psoriasis worsened while I remained without effective specialist treatment, I became increasingly self-conscious about my appearance. At the same time, I experienced growing shame about my academic situation following my previous difficulties. Together, these issues led me to withdraw from my studies and from the people around me. I isolated myself in my room, rarely interacted with classmates or roommates, stopped speaking with long-time friends, and gradually disengaged from most aspects of daily life. During this same period, my physician documented that I was experiencing moderate depression and moderate anxiety, noting that my mental health, academic pressures, and isolation from family support were making it harder for me to cope.
Instead of responding by withdrawing from my courses or seeking additional help, I kept convincing myself that I could still recover academically if I got myself together. Withdrawing felt like admitting that I had failed again. Although I understood that withdrawing was an available option, my deteriorating mental health affected my ability to realistically evaluate my situation and act on that knowledge. I hid the extent of my struggles from the people closest to me because I was ashamed that my situation had deteriorated after I had already received support. Looking back, I recognize that this pattern of isolation and avoidance prevented me from seeking timely assistance or making the appropriate decision to withdraw. For that reason, I ask that my failure to withdraw be understood as part of the impact of my documented medical circumstances rather than as evidence that those circumstances were not sufficiently serious.
The additional documentation obtained after the first-level decision directly addresses the concerns raised in the decision letter. I also want to clarify the timeline. The June 26, 2026 email reflects the date I obtained and forwarded additional documentation to the University, not the beginning of my treatment or the circumstances described in my petition.
The attached referrals from May 2024 and May 2025 demonstrate that my medical circumstances were ongoing well before June 2026. The May 2024 referral documents my family physician’s attempt to establish continuing dermatological care after I moved to Kingston. The May 2025 referrals document my depression and anxiety, state that my mental health, academic pressures, and isolation from family support were compounding my difficulties, and request that my dermatology referral be prioritized because of the impact my condition was having on my well-being and academic performance. Together, these records show that my circumstances were ongoing, worsening, and affecting my academic functioning well before I was finally able to access specialist treatment in Spring 2026.
Since accessing specialist dermatological care in Spring 2026, I have established ongoing treatment with my dermatologist and begun biologic therapy with Tremfya. I have experienced significant improvement after my first two doses, and my dermatologist expects this improvement to continue with ongoing treatment.
This experience has also changed how I approach my education. I now understand that trying to manage everything alone was one of my biggest mistakes. If I am permitted to continue my studies, I am committed to maintaining my medical treatment, accessing appropriate mental health support, seeking academic assistance as soon as problems arise, and being honest about my difficulties instead of isolating myself.
I fully recognize the seriousness of my academic record and take responsibility for the decisions I made. I hope the Board will also consider the documented circumstances that contributed to those decisions.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask the Board to allow my appeal and waive the Requirement to Withdraw for One Year. Thank you for your time and careful consideration.
I am appealing the Associate Dean’s decision to deny my petition to waive the Requirement to Withdraw for One Year on the ground that the decision was not reasonable. I appreciate the consideration given to my first-level petition. However, I believe the decision did not fully account for the timeline of my medical circumstances, the effect they had on my ability to function and make academic decisions, and the additional medical documentation that addresses the concerns raised in the decision letter.
A central reason for the denial was that my documentation did not establish why I failed to withdraw from my courses before the applicable deadlines. I understand why this was a concern. However, my failure to withdraw was itself connected to the decline in my physical and mental health during this period.
As my psoriasis worsened while I remained without effective specialist treatment, I became increasingly self-conscious about my appearance. At the same time, I experienced growing shame about my academic situation following my previous difficulties. Together, these issues led me to withdraw from my studies and from the people around me. I isolated myself in my room, rarely interacted with classmates or roommates, stopped speaking with long-time friends, and gradually disengaged from most aspects of daily life. During this same period, my physician documented that I was experiencing moderate depression and moderate anxiety, noting that my mental health, academic pressures, and isolation from family support were making it harder for me to cope.
Instead of responding by withdrawing from my courses or seeking additional help, I kept convincing myself that I could still recover academically if I got myself together. Withdrawing felt like admitting that I had failed again. Although I understood that withdrawing was an available option, my deteriorating mental health affected my ability to realistically evaluate my situation and act on that knowledge. I hid the extent of my struggles from the people closest to me because I was ashamed that my situation had deteriorated after I had already received support. Looking back, I recognize that this pattern of isolation and avoidance prevented me from seeking timely assistance or making the appropriate decision to withdraw. For that reason, I ask that my failure to withdraw be understood as part of the impact of my documented medical circumstances rather than as evidence that those circumstances were not sufficiently serious.
The additional documentation obtained after the first-level decision directly addresses the concerns raised in the decision letter. I also want to clarify the timeline. The June 26, 2026 email reflects the date I obtained and forwarded additional documentation to the University, not the beginning of my treatment or the circumstances described in my petition.
The attached referrals from May 2024 and May 2025 demonstrate that my medical circumstances were ongoing well before June 2026. The May 2024 referral documents my family physician’s attempt to establish continuing dermatological care after I moved to Kingston. The May 2025 referrals document my depression and anxiety, state that my mental health, academic pressures, and isolation from family support were compounding my difficulties, and request that my dermatology referral be prioritized because of the impact my condition was having on my well-being and academic performance. Together, these records show that my circumstances were ongoing, worsening, and affecting my academic functioning well before I was finally able to access specialist treatment in Spring 2026.
Since accessing specialist dermatological care in Spring 2026, I have established ongoing treatment with my dermatologist and begun biologic therapy with Tremfya. I have experienced significant improvement after my first two doses, and my dermatologist expects this improvement to continue with ongoing treatment.
This experience has also changed how I approach my education. I now understand that trying to manage everything alone was one of my biggest mistakes. If I am permitted to continue my studies, I am committed to maintaining my medical treatment, accessing appropriate mental health support, seeking academic assistance as soon as problems arise, and being honest about my difficulties instead of isolating myself.
I fully recognize the seriousness of my academic record and take responsibility for the decisions I made. I hope the Board will also consider the documented circumstances that contributed to those decisions.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask the Board to allow my appeal and waive the Requirement to Withdraw for One Year. Thank you for your time and careful consideration.
Documentation
History
Originally submitted June 15, 2026 at 10:37:57 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Incomplete | Kerri Andrews | 2026-06-20 4:35:12 PM | |
| status | N/A | Incomplete | In Review | Kerri Andrews | 2026-06-30 10:59:25 AM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Denied | Kerri Andrews | 2026-07-03 3:16:36 PM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic) | Kerri Andrews | 2026-07-03 3:16:36 PM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Kerri Andrews | 2026-07-03 3:35:10 PM | |
| new_appeal_level_2 | N/A | Level 2 | Level 2 Appeal ID: 376 | 23kk4 | 2026-07-17 9:35:29 PM | |
| status | N/A | Received | In Review | Kathrine Scott | 2026-07-24 3:10:31 PM |