Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,

In this petition, I am requesting to sit the CHEM 285 final exam in August, which would allow me to complete my CHEM 282 Winter semester course. I missed the CHEM 282 deferred final exam which was on Friday, May 17, 2024, due to extenuating circumstances; I am asking for another chance to complete the final exam for my CHEM 282 course, in short.

On the morning of Friday, May 17, 2024, when I woke up for my deferred CHEM 282 final exam, I noticed that I had chest pains and I felt very weak. Despite the pain, I tried to prepare to go for my exam that morning. Unfortunately, the constant pain I felt in my chest and the weakness I was feeling made me realize I was not in the ideal physical condition for me to write an exam as I would be hindered during the exam. I felt so physically weak that I could not go out that day.

By Sunday, May 19, the weakness I felt had subsided and I felt good enough to go out to a walk-in clinic. My only option for ‘quick’ medical attention was a walk-in clinic as other clinics require you to go through the process of booking of an appointment. Also, I am an international student and as such, I do not have a family doctor/physician that is a call away. On Sunday, due to the sheer number of people waiting, I was not attended to, and I had to go back home that day. The next day, Monday, May 20, was a federal public holiday, and no walk-in clinics opened that day. After extensive waiting, I finally got the audience of a doctor on Wednesday Wednesday, May 22, 2024. After receiving medical attention, I got a note from the doctor and requisition forms for bloodwork and an X-ray to be done (attached). After receiving the note from the doctor, I got back home and used it as documentation to apply for Academic Consideration for 17th of May, the day of my CHEM 282 exam.

By Friday, May 24, I received an email (attached) from the Academic Considerations Team that my request for academic consideration had been withdrawn:
“Thank you for submitting your request for academic consideration. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulties completing your academic requirements.
Since the Winter deferred exam period has ended, we are unable to verify your request for your winter term course. Therefore, we are withdrawing your request.”
In a follow-up email (attached), they gave me a few options to consider, one of which was that my instructor could put my CHEM 282 grade in SOLUS as IN (Incomplete), which would allow me to write the final exam anytime before the end of the Summer 2024 semester.

Going into SOLUS, I realized that my CHEM 282 grade was already listed as IN (Incomplete), so that option was already partially fulfilled. I relayed this information to my CHEM 282 professor, explaining my situation and asking for another chance to write the CHEM 282 final exam. He emailed me back (attached) to let me know there are no plans for another CHEM 282 exam. He then advised me to petition my issue and that I should request to write the CHEM 285 final exam taking place in August. The CHEM 285 course covers the same content as my CHEM 282 course and from what my professor explained, I understand that by taking the CHEM 285 final, I will effectively be writing the CHEM 282 final exam. Whatever I grade I get on the CHEM 285 final will apply for my CHEM 282 course.

As I write this letter, I am in good health. I will be available to sit the CHEM 285 final exam in August, God willing. I will wait for your decision on my petition in hopes that it will be granted and I will have the chance to complete my CHEM 282 Winter semester course.

Sincerely,

Aanuoluwapo Adeyemi