Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,

I am a third year DEVS student who became severely ill in Winter 2023. I recently had my employment end due to illness and inability to balance school and work. I am working from a bed, with precarious living conditions, in order to concentrate on completing my education throughout my illness, as I have recently been accepted to a social work after degree which requires that I graduate this summer to begin the program in Fall 2023.

I had a long-term academic consideration for my illnesses, and recently had QSAS arrange accommodations for me. I was under the impression I could submit assignments later than 7 days, and that submission dates were flexible. Queen's administrators and instructors have helped me get through my program in these last two semesters so that I can graduate and start social work in Fall 2023. This has included allowing me to submit my assignments from winter term in the summer, while I complete my summer classes as well. I was under the impression I could submit my assignments for DEVS 220 as soon as I complete them, while living with my illness, precarious living conditions, and completing my other coursework from Winter 2023. However, when I submitted my recent assignments in DEVS 220, Instructor Fanning said too much time has passed and he will be assigning a zero grade.

I would like to request permission to submit the coursework because I did not know that I am required to submit assignments during a specific time period (within the term) with my accommodations, as I have been granted extensions through the Winter 2023 term. With a zero grade on these assignments, I will not pass the course, as the outstanding coursework is 25%. If I do not pass the course, I do not graduate from the DEVS program this summer and am unable to start the social work program in Fall 2023.

As a mature student who has spent 70% of their life enduring gender-based violence, child-abuse, poverty, and then homelessness, my dream is to obtain this degree so that I may complete a social work degree to support people enduring the same experiences I endured as a young person - this is my dream. I hope to recover from my illness within the year and be able to practice social work and serve oppressed communities. I am also desperate to graduate so that I can obtain gainful employment to provide for my child, as I am a parent with nominal supports. I would deeply appreciate the ability to either submit the outstanding coursework without penalty, or to have the coursework weight shifted (aggregated), so that I may pass the course and graduate in time. I deeply appreciate your consideration and assistance.


In advance, thank you for your consideration.

Best,

Hafsah