Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Attention: Associate Dean (Studies)

Emma Kuiack (10190474)

72 Havenwood Way
London, ON
N6H 5B8

May 14, 2018

Dear Dr. Atkinson,

I am writing this letter in order to appeal to the Faculty to complete my final year of university away from Kingston and in my home town, that being London, Ontario. I am appealing to you in hopes to receive permission to take greater than 6.0 units through Western University in London whilst still graduating through Queen¿¿s. I appreciate your time and concern on this matter.

I have attended school at Queen¿¿s University for the last three years, deciding to major in History and minor in English. During these years, I found it difficult to be attending school so far away from home. This unfortunately worsened this past school year as some sudden and devastating news impacted my family. I found it very difficult to be so far from home and experienced a great deal of anxiety concerning this which made attending school in Kingston even more difficult. I found that I was often impacted by anxiety attacks and a great deal of stress about being so far from my family during this school year especially and have decided that it would be in my best interest to write this appeal. Such anxiety and stress proved to have a negative impact on my personal health and impacted my ability to work to the greatest of my ability. I found myself to be overwhelmed by coursework that previously had been no issue for me. Being very close with my family and friends and with circumstances surrounding a solid personal support system that I previously had in Kingston changing, I am finding that my anxiety and stress is worsening when imagining myself away from home for my final year. This extreme anxiety and stress would be diminished if I were able to be closer to my friends and family and I believe that I would better be able to finish my education with Queen¿¿s successfully.

After meeting with an Academic Advisor at Queen¿¿s and examining a What-if Advisement Report with her, I have explored possible options that I could pursue if this appeal were to be granted and have since developed a plan to successfully proceed with my studies away from Kingston. If this appeal were to be granted, I plan on completing the majority of my courses online through Queen¿¿s. Majoring in History and minoring in English, I have explored the possible lecture-based courses offered online for each and have found a plentitude of courses that interest me and would benefit me in my degree. I have taken online courses through Queen¿¿s before and have found that I was quite successful in achieving exceptional marks through hard work and good time management. To major in History, upper year seminars are mandatory as well. Having completed the bulk of these seminars in the past academic year, I have found that I have 3 half-year upper level seminars to complete. If this appeal were to be granted, I would apply to take these seminars through Western. Having a strong support system at home, I feel that I would be better able to successfully manage my time and achieve the goals and grades that I have set out for myself.

I am a hard-working and motivated student, having successfully completed assignments on time and to the best of my ability. Although I have found that I have achieved acceptable grades in the past, I have since grown worried about my personal health being so far from my home and my family and feel that I am capable of doing even better given a healthier environment for myself. If this appeal were to be granted, I would be able to successfully finish my academic career at Queen¿¿s through the plan outlined above. I believe that this would benefit me and that I would be able to achieve my goals with great success while being at home surrounded by a strong support system that would help ease my anxiety.

I have attached a letter from my family doctor with her recommendation and support for following the plan laid out above. The note shows that she and I have discussed my symptoms and my concerns and that she has found it to be in my best personal interest to complete my schooling closer to home.

My education is extremely important to me as well as my personal health. I feel that I would greatly benefit if this appeal were to be granted. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing your decision.

Sincerely yours,

Emma Kuiack
10190474