Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies) Matin Talebpourazad
Attention Jenn Stephenson Arts Sci 22-20109065


Subject: Academic Appeal

Dear Madame,

Following receiving the letter to withdraw. I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s for a minimum of one year, due to several extenuating circumstances that occurred during the year.
1) (Mathematics) Math was a huge obstacle this year because I went straight to the professor and asked how this course will go since I do not have any background knowledge of Calculus and only Pre-Calculus. He firmly insisted that I was going to fail this course and a strong background of Calculus was required. I wanted to take on this challenge knowing that I was capable to learn and pass the course. I struggled in this course because I was trying to learn the subject before the lecture even started. Instead of dropping the course, I was determined to study my hardest and perceiver but it was not enough.
2) During the last few weeks of exam season, there were several extenuating circumstances that all collected together. These events ultimately disturbed my studying for final exams and I was not in the right state of mind to write these exams.

a) The first event that happened was my parents¿¿ divorce. They were in legal battles and settled the divorce in February (See exhibitB). For my entire life I was raised in a peaceful home with loving parents and this put extreme amounts of anxiety and depression on me and for that reason I had to see my physiatrist. (see exhibit A). I had to question who I was going to live with, who was going to support me, and who was in the right or in the wrong in the situation, all during exam season.
b) Coming to the end of the winter term, a Biology paper due a significant amount of my mark was another huge impact near exam season. After finally completing this 7-page paper the day before it was due, an unfortunate thing happened, when my water bottle had leaked in my bag and my laptop was compromised. I had lost the whole assignment and had to re-write another. My second version was rushed and of less quality and I received a very low mark even after granted an extension. This was all during one of the two stomach flus I had in a 2-week period. I was extremely dehydrated and losing too much weight when I was then hospitalized (see exhibit C). I was disturbed emotionally and had no Idea what to do with my health, my parents and my academics. My mind was disturbed with these extenuating circumstances.

Now that my life plan is established and the divorce is settled, I am living with my Father and he has confirmed that he will be supporting me in all matters, financially, emotionally etc., to make sure I complete my studies at Queens. I have started medication to battle my depression and anxiety which will help me focus more on studying and less on the environment around me. And with that state of the mind, I have constructed this academic plan which should guarantee my success: (Written Below)

I urge the Associate Dean to reconsider their decision about my Academic standing and give me a second chance to continue without suspensions. I am making a promise to keep my GPA above a 2.0 to prove how committed I am to Queens and my education.


P.S
I also have a scholarship grant which my father has been paying every month for my whole life, with this academic decision, I will lose eligibility to receive any more funds.

Best Regards

Matin Talebpourazad - 20109065
Arts Sci¿¿ 22