Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom it may concern,
I am writing this written response in regard to the investigation of my withdrawal from Queen's University due to breach of academic integrity. The reasoning of my possible departure is due to this explanation, The study you used for your BIOL321 major project was almost identical to a lab exercise in another course (BIOL302). I wrote the lab exercise for BIOL302, and so recognize the similarities. Students in BIOL321 were explicitly told they had to design a study on their own, and even more specifically that they could not use the BIOL302 study for their projects. The assignments that you completed were only slightly modified from the BIOL302 project. I am also aware that you are currently enrolled in BIOL302, and so would have conducted the project in question during the QUBS weekend for that course. This represents plagiarism and a clear departure from academic integrity.. (Quote from email). Which was explicitly explained that copying the BIOL 302 assignment was prohibited.
As of October 2017, halfway through my 3rd year 1st semester, I was assigned to start the BIOL 321 final presentation assignment. At the beginning of the month, I began going through some mental issues (depression and anxiety) due to traumatic family issues; loss of a relative. I did not feel like reading, eating, or even doing much work during this time which ultimately effected my study drastically. Still affecting me to this present day. I also understand that Laila also suffered a loss in the same time frame. On the night, the abstract draft was due, Laila was in Toronto and I was with my close relatives. We did not complete anything or even start anything. We were desperate for marks and for completion so I unintelligently pitched the idea to her to copy the BIOL 302 assignment thinking it would be a smart idea. Well it was not. It was the worst decision of my life. At this point, I was shocked and I instantly felt disappointed with myself and my decisions. Understanding that violating academic integrity is the last thing to do in a student's academic career. With that being said, and now with the notice of investigation it has really started to get me thinking if I would ever graduate from Queen's University and if I will ever be able to appropriately and proudly represent Queen's University in my field of work in the future. Moreover, as this semester comes to an end, I will have completed three and a half years and be eligible to continue my studies for the Winter Semester at Queen's University. Both semesters will be different because of the courses taken, but to succeed in these courses I would still follow the same routine as the fall semester, but with some minor additions. For success in the future and to make sure I get better results in the courses taken, I will ask for guidance when needed, complete a decent workload daily, focus/study hard on homework and exams, and schedule the day out to maintain an active day. Firstly, asking for guidance can help answer questions about what are the required courses to take, if some courses are worth taking, and if some courses are not needed. Secondly, a decent workload can help reduce stress and I believe taking four courses within a semester is an ideal option. Additionally, I will proceed to do all assignments with clear regulation of following the rules of the Academic Regulation 1 of the Faculty of Arts and Science. Lastly, scheduling the day can maintain an equal workload each day, as well as, keeps one active and updated with the important test/exam dates, homework/lab submissions, and valuable information given out by the professor. All in all, the goal is to never repeat the actions I did today. I have a huge passion for Biological Sciences and would love to pursue a career in the Veterinarian field. I would hopefully like to graduate with a bachelor of science degree, and represent Queen's University in my field of work in the near future. I have worked and have come so far from first year and would love to continue my studies. I have learned from my mistakes and hope to redeem myself in the future by not repeating such actions. Undergraduate studies at the Queen's University was my first choice and hopefully the only school I get to finish my undergraduate studies at. To not be able to finish my four years would be devastating, to not only just me but also my friends and family. They put in so much time and effort, not to see me fail in life but to become a successful, and well-educated individual in this competitive society. I don't want this to affect my studies and my working life in the future as I would love to graduate amongst the Queen's University Class of 2019. Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon
Once a Gael, Always a Gael.