Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean of Academics,
My name is Mikayla Quigley, and I am a fourth-year Politics and Global Development Joint Honours student. I am writing to request a late drop for DEVS 411 as I was unable to complete the course due to extenuating personal circumstances.
During the Fall 2024 term, I was struggling significantly with my mental health following a severe sexual assault. Despite submitting much of the coursework and actively participating in class, it became clear that I would not be able to finish the course while managing these circumstances. I therefore petitioned for, and received, an “IN” (Incomplete) to allow me time to complete the remaining work.
The Summer 2025 term was intended to be my opportunity to complete the course. However, I faced a number of additional personal and financial challenges that made this unmanageable. I am fully financially independent, and I cover all of my own expenses, including rent for both my residence in Kingston and another in my hometown to ensure that my sibling and I have a safe place to live during the summer months. During this same period, I began the legal process of separating myself from my parents, which has been both emotionally and physically exhausting. The effort required to self-advocate and secure necessary resources and paperwork has taken a significant toll. Toward the end of the summer, I also experienced another severe but different violent circumstance, which further affected my ability to focus and cope. These experiences compounded the strain I was already under.
Additionally, I encountered financial barriers beyond my control, including delays in receiving my OSAP funding for the semester (because of the breakdown between my parents and I) which required me to pay rent and other expenses out of pocket (this is still not yet resolved.)
It is with genuine regret that I request consideration for this late drop. I truly valued this course and its material, and I believe that under different circumstances, I would have been able to complete it successfully. Unfortunately, the combination of personal, financial, and emotional challenges made it impossible to do so at that time.
Thank you very much for your understanding and consideration.
Sincerely,
Mikayla Quigley
Student Number: 20340207
My name is Mikayla Quigley, and I am a fourth-year Politics and Global Development Joint Honours student. I am writing to request a late drop for DEVS 411 as I was unable to complete the course due to extenuating personal circumstances.
During the Fall 2024 term, I was struggling significantly with my mental health following a severe sexual assault. Despite submitting much of the coursework and actively participating in class, it became clear that I would not be able to finish the course while managing these circumstances. I therefore petitioned for, and received, an “IN” (Incomplete) to allow me time to complete the remaining work.
The Summer 2025 term was intended to be my opportunity to complete the course. However, I faced a number of additional personal and financial challenges that made this unmanageable. I am fully financially independent, and I cover all of my own expenses, including rent for both my residence in Kingston and another in my hometown to ensure that my sibling and I have a safe place to live during the summer months. During this same period, I began the legal process of separating myself from my parents, which has been both emotionally and physically exhausting. The effort required to self-advocate and secure necessary resources and paperwork has taken a significant toll. Toward the end of the summer, I also experienced another severe but different violent circumstance, which further affected my ability to focus and cope. These experiences compounded the strain I was already under.
Additionally, I encountered financial barriers beyond my control, including delays in receiving my OSAP funding for the semester (because of the breakdown between my parents and I) which required me to pay rent and other expenses out of pocket (this is still not yet resolved.)
It is with genuine regret that I request consideration for this late drop. I truly valued this course and its material, and I believe that under different circumstances, I would have been able to complete it successfully. Unfortunately, the combination of personal, financial, and emotional challenges made it impossible to do so at that time.
Thank you very much for your understanding and consideration.
Sincerely,
Mikayla Quigley
Student Number: 20340207