Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

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Petition Type: New
ID: 10571
Submitted: May 25, 2023 at 10:58:00 AM
First Name: Nelly
Last Name: Kaliza
Pronoun: she/her
Student Number: 20216817
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: PSYC
Level of Study: 3

Petition Categories

Petition Categories: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: BIOL 102
Term: Summer
Year: 2022
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Kenton Ko
Code: CISC 181
Term: Summer
Year: 2022
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Carolyn Lamb
Code: PSYC 236
Term: Fall
Year: 2022
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Tim Salomons
Code: PSYC 241
Term: Fall
Year: 2022
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Jillian Joanna May O'Connor
Code: PSYC 336
Term: Fall
Year: 2022
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Kate Harkness
Code: PSYC 337
Term: Fall
Year: 2022
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Luis Flores

Level 1 Status

Status: Denied

Level 2

Appeal Type: Level 2
ID: 203
Submitted: June 30, 2023 at 5:53:39 PM
Relevant Petition: 10571
Decision(s) Being Appealed: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses: BIOL 102, Summer 2022 (Kenton Ko)
Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses: CISC 181, Summer 2022 (Carolyn Lamb)
Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses: PSYC 236, Fall 2022 (Tim Salomons)
Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses: PSYC 241, Fall 2022 (Jillian Joanna May O'Connor)
Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses: PSYC 336, Fall 2022 (Kate Harkness)
Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses: PSYC 337, Fall 2022 (Luis Flores)

Appeal Grounds

Appeals to the Board of Studies must include a letter based on one or more of the Grounds for Appeal (Appeal Regulation 3.4). What are the grounds you are basing your appeal on?
  • The Associate Dean's decision did not follow the rules of procedural fairness. A breach of procedural fairness includes such things as the Associate Dean failed to:
    • Make a reasonable decision in your appeal. A “reasonable” decision is one that is based on evidence, thought out and supported by facts and logical inferences from the facts. To be reasonable, the decision must contain adequate reasons for the conclusions.
Appeal Grounds Details: The decision made regarding my credit standing in appears to be unfair for several reasons. Firstly, it fails to take into account the challenges I faced in the winter 2022 term, where I failed my whole semester. This setback significantly impacted my academic progress, and I made a concerted effort to catch up during the subsequent summer and fall terms.

During this time, I had to deal with the aftermath of the grades I received in the previous semester, as well as the potential implications for my standing within the program. This added pressure and uncertainty had a profound effect on my ability to perform at my full potential. It is important to consider the emotional and psychological toll that such circumstances can have on a student's overall well-being and academic performance.

Additionally, while it is true that I may have performed well in certain assignments this does not negate what I was goi g through. The presence of outstanding assignments or instances where I was unable to complete certain tasks should not be overlooked. These gaps in completion serve as evidence that there were indeed periods when I was unable to adequately meet the demands of the course due to my extenuating circumstances.

By disregarding these factors and focusing solely on instances where I excelled, the decision fails to account for the holistic picture of my academic journey during that period. It is essential to recognize the impact of my ongoing mental health issues and the episodic nature of my struggles, which fluctuated throughout the term and impeded my ability to consistently perform at a high level.

In conclusion, the decision lacks logical coherence as it fails to consider the significant setback I faced, the subsequent efforts to catch up, and the undeniable impact of my mental health issues on my academic performance. The completion of certain assignments should not overshadow the evidence of struggling periods and the overall challenges I encountered during the course. A reevaluation of my extenuating circumstances, supported by a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved, would provide a more accurate and fair assessment of my credit standing.

Appeal Letter

Appeal Letter: I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to appeal the decision made by the Associate Dean regarding my credit standing. I strongly believe that the conclusion reached did not adequately consider all the relevant elements of my extenuating circumstances. In this appeal, I aim to outline the grounds for my appeal and demonstrate why the decision should be reconsidered.

Firstly, I would like to assert that I met all the necessary criteria for credit standing in the course in question. I diligently completed all of my assignments and successfully passed them. The evidence of my commitment and effort can be found in my submitted work and corresponding grades. These achievements indicate that I fulfilled the academic requirements for credit standing.

Moreover, I want to emphasize that throughout the semester, I was coping with ongoing mental health issues, which I addressed in my initial communication. Although I provided a level of detail that I was comfortable sharing in my letter, it is important to acknowledge that mental health struggles are often complex and can manifest differently over time. Consequently, my ability to function effectively in my academic pursuits was intermittently affected by these challenges.

The decision letter implied that my petition was denied based on the assertion that certain components of the course were satisfactorily completed. Specifically, it was noted that some classes, which I had previously failed in the previous semester, were performed well this time around. While it is true that I was able to achieve good grades in these retaken classes, it is essential to consider the context behind this improvement. The feedback and experience gained from my previous attempt at these classes provided me with a significant advantage in understanding the course material. Thus, it is reasonable to expect better performance upon retaking them.

It is crucial to recognize that my mental health struggles were not consistently stable throughout the semester. I experienced both good days and bad days, and there were times when my mental health significantly impacted my ability to function optimally in an academic setting. Consequently, it is illogical to dismiss the impact of my mental health struggles on my overall performance by focusing solely on the instances where I demonstrated better academic performance.

Considering the academic standing that my winter 2022 semester placed me in, along with the concurrent mental health issues I faced, it was impractical for me to meet the drop deadline. The cumulative effect of these circumstances contributed to the difficulties I encountered during the course, rendering it exceptionally challenging for me to perform at my full potential.

In light of the aforementioned factors, I respectfully request that you reconsider the decision regarding my credit standing. I firmly believe that a comprehensive reassessment, taking into account the different aspects of my extenuating circumstances, will result in a fair and equitable outcome.

I kindly request an opportunity to present my case in person, should it be deemed necessary. Please inform me of any further documentation or information required to support my appeal. I sincerely hope that my appeal will be given due consideration, and I trust in your commitment to fairness.

Documentation

I plan to submit additional documentation at a later date: Hello.
I am awaiting for my counselor/advisor to come back from their break so we could talk again. They have supported me through this journey and documentation I should be able to have this by June 15.

Level 2 Amendment

Appeal Type: Level 2 Amendment
ID: 208
Submitted: July 17, 2023 at 11:51:13 AM
Relevant Petition: 10571
New Information: I would like to explain further how my extenuating circumstances affected my learning.

I have been grappling with anxiety and low mood challenges throughout the semester, which have profoundly impacted my academic performance. The symptoms associated with these mental health conditions have caused substantial difficulties in various aspects of my studies, leading to inconsistent results in my assignments and overall grades.

One of the most significant ways they have affected my functionality at school is by impairing my concentration and focus. The constant excessive worry and lack of mental clarity have made engaging effectively in assignments, studying, and class participation exceptionally difficult. As a result, I need help to maintain the necessary focus required for consistent academic achievement.

Moreover, they have directly impacted my motivation and energy levels. The persistent fatigue and lack of motivation have made it challenging to actively participate in classes, complete assignments on time, and consistently meet academic requirements. This diminished motivation has affected my overall interest in learning, further exacerbating the impact on my academic performance.

Furthermore, the excessive worrying and fear of failure have frequently paralyzed me, preventing me from starting or completing assignments promptly. This has resulted in rushed or incomplete work, which does not reflect my capabilities.

With guidance and direction from the Psychology Department, I have been connected with a SWS psychotherapist, and I am more comfortable reaching out when I need help.

Appeal Grounds

Appeals to the Board of Studies must include a letter based on one or more of the Grounds for Appeal (Appeal Regulation 3.4). What are the grounds you are basing your appeal on?
  • The Associate Dean's decision did not follow the rules of procedural fairness. A breach of procedural fairness includes such things as the Associate Dean failed to:
    • Make a reasonable decision in your appeal. A “reasonable” decision is one that is based on evidence, thought out and supported by facts and logical inferences from the facts. To be reasonable, the decision must contain adequate reasons for the conclusions.

Documentation