Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Francis Hadeed and I am a post-degree student currently enrolled in COMM221 - Intro. To Financial Sec.
I am submitting this appeal in the hopes that my request to withdraw from the aforementioned COMM221 will be granted.

Several extenuating circumstances, beyond my control, have unfortunately affected my academic performance in the course and have left me unable to complete the material to the best of my ability.

These extenuating circumstances are not a recent occurrence as I have visited Student Wellness Services twice. I have tried my best to bare with these circumstances as I was born and live in a country (Trinidad & Tobago) which does not actively prioritize mental illness as they should. Frequently in the past I have been told to suck it up, or to get over it. Due to this I tried my best to persevere through but unfortunately have succumb to the pressure.

While I have been at Queens for four years, I have never truly acclimated to the significant differences that studying in Canada entails. Major changes in weather, the lack of family, the differences in culture - they all add up. These factors have left me depressed, unable to eat, participate in my favorite hobbies and even left me unable to get out of bed. This is reflected in my poor performance throughout the course. My background is Syrian, my entire family is Syrian. I was present when the war broke out and while my immediate family is safe in Trinidad, every time I hear of a bombing taking place, I'm paralyzed with fear that one of my family members may have been a victim. This has taken an extensive toll on me this school year as a close family friends was a victim in the Chirstchurch Mosque attack. Similarly, a bomb went off feet away from our house in Damascus claiming the life of one of my grandmother's life long friends.

These are all circumstances which I have been pushing through for the last year but recently my significant other (girlfriend) has been hit with crippling depression - which has sadly resorted in her self-harming and having thoughts regarding suicide. Recently (two days ago) she has been admitted into a professional recovery center. This pushed me over the edge as I live with my girlfriend and have seen her go through everything.

All of the aforementioned extenuating circumstances have unfortunately significantly affected my performance in the course and my ability to prepare for the final examination. This does have an affect on my future plans and getting familiar with finance is imperative to my family business. Therefore I will most likely opt to re-enroll in the course next school year. As previously mentioned, I have visited the Student Wellness Center and seen a professional. She has agreed to send a letter regarding my circumstances.

Thank you for considering my appeal,

Francis Hadeed