Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Studies,
Thank you for taking the time to review my request. I¿¿m asking that the 21 day regulation be waived as I was unaware that this process existed. My mother contacted Spring Forsberg, my academic advisor to begin this process and explained to her my extenuating circumstances. I¿¿ve included this email as I believe it describes what happened succinctly and to the point:
I'm writing on behalf of my son, Alex Carr, as I understand you're his academic advisor. He's asked me to assist him and I've cc'd him on this email. He's in his second year at Queens but has been having a very difficult time since the fall of his first year due to an unfortunate experience that happened shortly after he arrived at Queens. In order to help you understand the situation, and comprehend the ensuing repercussions, I need to give you a bit of personal background information.

Several months before arriving at Queens last year he and his girlfriend of several years had a difficult break up. His ex-girlfriend began what amounted to months of harassment and threats. We hoped that when he arrived at Queens for his first year things would change. Unfortunately it got worse as she also attends the university and went out of her way to continue the unwanted attention. Things culminated with a physical attack on him. As it happened on campus it was videotaped and campus security called the police. While she was initially given psychiatric care and ultimately given a restraining order, the effect on my normally up beat son were disconcerting. He became very depressed over this, which was the culmination of months of threats and violent mood swings on her behalf. In a number of instances he intervened when she tried to kill herself. It was a very difficult time for them both. While she has been receiving professional help my son just thought he could go about things as per usual. This wasn't the case. He slowly stopped going to classes and eventually had a great deal of difficulty even leaving his dorm. Obviously this resulted in a poor academic showing in his first year and continued even into the beginning of this year. He finally spoke about his with my husband and I and we've been trying to help him move on.

We would be most appreciative if you could help us understand exactly where he is academically and how he can improve things. He believes he's found the right area of study, Geography, but knows that as he's failed a number of subjects he may not be invited back next year. He very much wants to make things right and get his life back on track. Any advice and assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated. If you would prefer a face to face discussion my husband and I can drive up to Queens with a bit of notice. Obviously my son is involved and will be a part of this but has asked that I take the lead initially as he wasn't sure where, or how, to start. Thank you. Nancy Carr

I only recently discussed my situation with my parents as I was trying to handle this on my own so I have not as yet sought professional assistance, but am actively in the process of seeking counselling. Admitting that I have a problem has been the catalyst that has begun the process of moving me forward such that I can now see my way through my academic problems and believe I can make a success of my future endeavors at Queens. As to my future plans, I discovered during this 18 month process that my preference was to concentrate on Geography. Last year I took a number of courses, in several different areas, and this wasn¿¿t successful for me. I¿¿m taking a reduced course load this semester and doing well and hope to take some summer and on-line courses. I hope to continue with this system as I think it¿¿s helped me concentrate on the important courses and manage myself and my work load better.
If this 21 day appeal is granted, I will then submit an appeal to request that the failures be dropped in ENGL 100; MATH 126; GPHY 102; GPHY 254; SPAN P10 and requesting credit standing in GPHY 101 and GPHY 227. In that letter I will outline and expand on the extenuating circumstances that impacted my studies during the Winter 2014 term and the Fall term of 2014.
Thank you for reviewing my application,