Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Academics,

My name is Aaliyah Anghad, and I am petitioning for the formal review of a failing grade I received in the POSL262 course, wherein I received a zero for failing to submit a term essay worth 40% of the final course mark. In this petition, I will outline the circumstances regarding my initial failure to submit the essay by the proposed deadline and my wish to receive a passing grade in the class based on the events that transpired over the Winter 2024 semester.

Our term essay was due on February 26, 2024; however, on March 2, 2024, I experienced a severe depressive and anxiety-induced episode relating to the onset of a mental health disorder, which had been culminating since February 15, 2024, and had since severely impacted my personal and academic well-being. On March 2, I sent an email to my TA alerting her of the situation and its implications regarding the submission of the essay. Given the severity of the episode, I decided to seek counselling services from Queen's Student Wellness Services the following Monday, March 4, 2024. During my intake session, I was granted short-term academic accommodations and was appointed to a therapy session with a licensed psychotherapist on March 5, 2024. During my therapy session, we discussed the seriousness of my illness and how it was detrimentally affecting my personal and academic functioning. My symptoms included the inability to care for my health and hygiene, remaining in a catatonic-like state in bed for several hours after waking, the inability to leave my home for 4-5 days, excessive sleeping, a withdrawal from all social activity and interaction, and isolation. These symptoms created severe impairments leading to significant difficulties in my academic performance, such as the inability to attend some classes, complete assignments promptly, and achieve the standard expectations set out by my professors. However, despite this, I remained persistent and hopeful that I would be able to complete the semester by continually seeking support services and receiving accommodations.

On March 21, 2024, I received long-term accommodations from February 19, 2024, to April 29, 2024. That same day, I emailed my professor, alerting him of the circumstances, and indicated I wanted to discuss an alternative due date for the essay. He responded on March 25, 2024, stating that we could further discuss during his office hours. However, his office hours conflicted with my other classes, which I reiterated in my same-day email, along with the proposal for an alternative meeting time. Unfortunately, I did not receive a follow-up response from him. Although I did not receive further communications from my professor, I discussed the situation with my TA during our last tutorial session. During the session, we had a verbal discussion, during which she reassured me that she was aware of the circumstances and would grade my essay whenever I could submit it to OnQ. With this reassurance in mind, I did my best to complete the essay promptly despite the difficulties associated with my severe mental health symptoms.

On April 29, 2024, I submitted my essay to the OnQ portal and sent an email to my TA confirming my submission and requesting confirmation that it would be graded and included in my final course mark. Although I did not receive a response from the TA, I assumed that based on the provisions of my accommodations, my lengthy correspondences, and her verbal assurances, it would be accepted. It was only on May 22, 2024, when I logged into SOLUS, that I noticed that I received an 'F' in the course. I immediately emailed my professor to notify him of the situation and request an informal grade review. I am still awaiting a response from him or my TA, whom I promptly emailed on June 4 after the lack of communication.

During the Winter 2024 semester, I was registered in 6 courses, all affected by my extenuating circumstances. However, despite this, I sought the necessary support services to successfully complete the semester and receive a passing grade in each course. Although I submitted my essay later than initially planned, I managed to complete all course components within POLS262, including attending a majority of the mandatory in-person tutorial sessions, the term essay, and the final take-home exam. Notwithstanding the extreme difficulties associated with my disorder, I have managed to persevere and complete my academics to the best of my abilities. POLS262 is the last required course in my degree plan that would grant my eligibility for graduation in the 2024 academic year. I have since been attending regularly scheduled therapy sessions with SWS and have sought external support for my condition to ensure future success in my endeavours. I am petitioning my failing grade to be eligible for graduation and may successfully obtain my degree within the 2024 academic year.