Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Vaithini Vijayakumar
2-375 Johnson St.
Kingston, ON K7L 1Y9
Thursday, June 22, 2016

Associate Dean (Studies)
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Dunning Hall - First Floor
94 University Avenue
Queen's University
Kingston, ON Canada
K7L 3N6

Dear Associate Dean of Studies,

I am appealing to be allowed return to school this year after receiving a requirement of withdrawal from the faculty. I would also like to request to drop multiple courses in my transcript. Despite it being past the due date to drop courses, I am hoping I can drop these courses due to my circumstances.
I enrolled in summer courses after being told that I was stable enough to continue my studies in May but unfortunately, my health took a toll once again and I was away from my email and all sources of technology this past month. I apologize for the late appeal but I hope my documentation will support my reasoning. I would like to continue my education and be admitted into the biology program this summer after finishing BIOL 103 which is why I am requesting a credit in as I have taken it twice at this point and was not well enough to write the final exam. After being given a clear signal that I can continue my studies I ask that I be allowed to continue my education and finish my degree.
It has been a very difficult few years now and the stress has been overwhelming mentally knowing that my education has taken a toll because of my health. I have the full confidence that I can finish the courses that I have an extension for. I have spoken to the professors and they have agreed to allow me as long as my appeal is approved. Other than the periods of time I was in the hospital, I have been in communication with my instructors and they are fully aware of my condition.
The past few years I have been struggling with a physical illness that has been affecting my academics. I was diagnosed with a fairly large ovarian cyst in the summer of 2013 and thereby bringing in exhaustion, and low energy with me to this academic year. Symptoms include harsh abdominal pain, low energy and exhaustion. I have been seeing doctors for my physical disabilities both in my hometown. This included consultations, and tests such as ultrasounds. Due to the randomness of my physical pains, I have had to spend nights in the emergency wards of KGH. In terms of my emotional distress, I have started to see a psychiatrist as I now have high anxiety due to my GPA declining and resulting in a withdrawal from school. I hope you can sympathize with my case as most of it was out of my control. I would like to optimistically have a successful year and raise my GPA in order to graduate with a biology degree.
Alongside my appeal to be readmitted to the school, I would really appreciate your help in being let into the biology program. I have taken multiple biology courses and due to my health, I have never had the opportunity to write the BIOL 103 exam resulting in myself not being able to apply for the biology program. This stress has taken a toll in my studies as I always have to wait for an biology course during open enrollment in order to be in it. Being admitted into the biology program will relieve my stress tremendously and thus I can concentrate on my studies with more ease.
I understand that it is very late to enroll in courses but as an upper year student, I hope the faculty will assist me in getting the courses and help I need once I am readmitted back to the school.

Thank you for your time and efforts in this request.

Sincerely,



Vaithini Vijayakumar