Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom this may concern,

I am writing this letter to petition a final grade or decision for a midterm that was unable to be written due to an academic extenuating circumstance. My academic extenuating circumstance covered both the midterm date and the deferred midterm that was written the following week. I followed up with the teaching team and course instructor as soon as I was physically able to to discuss writing a deferred exam during final examination period or possible reweighting of course evaluations/ an additional assignment. I was told that there was nothing that could be done as the answers for the long answer questions of the midterm #1 had been released to students and this would result in me receiving a 0 for that 25% midterm.

My concern is that the midterm was weighted at 25% and due to my extenuating circumstance and not being able to write the midterm examination or deferred examination 1 week later, the grade given to me for this evaluation is a 0. However, For all other course assignments (2 written reports, midterm #2, and the final examination) all grades received were within the A range which demonstrates my deep understanding of the course and its content. I feel that my overall grade of a C does not accurately reflect my hard work and understanding in this course as all grades received were within the A range.

Additionally, I inquired about writing the multiple choice portion of midterm #1 during the final examination period as this was not released to students and the teaching team and course instructor never responded to my attempts at contact so this was not possible. I personally feel that my knowledge of midterm #1 content was assessed in various other portions of the course including the first written assignment and cumulative final examination. I proposed different solutions to the teaching team however, I was told that despite contacting as soon as I was physically capable (as deemed by my approved academic consideration), these requests or considerations could not be accommodated.

I work very hard in my academic studies and in work to support myself financially and am only reaching out for further advice or assistance as I truly believe that this situation is unfair and does not reflect my deep understanding of course content. I am very open to alternative solutions and have expressed multiple times that I would be willing to return to Kingston to write the midterm portion of the exam that was not released, or alternatively complete an additional assignment if reweighing of grades was not possible.

Thank you very much for your time in considering and reading my petition letter. I look forward to future communications.

Jensen Pletch