Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13685
Submitted: October 24, 2025 at 3:00:58 PM
First Name: Joud
Last Name: Qumizakis
Pronoun: She/ Her
Preferred Name: Joud
Student Number: 20305550
Email: 21jmq@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request an extension of an incomplete grade
Code: POLS 396
Term: Winter
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Request an extension of an incomplete grade
Instructor's Name: Dr. Bouka
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear academic petitions committee,
I am writing to respectfully request an extension of my Incomplete credit (IN) in POLS 396. I have now completed all required coursework, and the department has confirmed its willingness to grade my work pending approval of this extension.
The reason for my petition is that I experienced extenuating circumstances beyond my control that directly impacted my ability to complete the course within the original timeframe. I have a documented and legally recognized chronic disability that significantly affects my ability to manage deadlines, organize information, and make timely decisions during periods of heightened stress. During the summer of last year, I experienced an exacerbation of my disability symptoms while also trialing new medications under medical supervision. This period of adjustment was physically and cognitively challenging and significantly hindered my ability to focus, process information, and complete my academic work as intended. These effects were temporary but very debilitating, and they prevented me from meeting the original deadline for my POLS 396.
In the past few months my mother received a cancer diagnosis, which placed additional stress and emotional strain on me and further delayed my ability to finalize and submit my completed work earlier. Although I was committed to fulfilling my academic responsibilities, the impacts of my health challenges and my mother’s illness made it extremely difficult to regain my stability and complete the necessary requirements within the standard timeframe.
Since then, my condition has improved, and I have completed all outstanding work for POLS 396. I am now requesting an extension of my IN so that the department may evaluate and assign a final grade for the course. I have attached supporting documentation from my doctors, confirming the nature of my disability and its effects on my functional capacity during this period. I take my academic work very seriously and have I have put in a lot of effort to meet my program requirements despite these challenges. I sincerely thank you for your understanding and compassion in reviewing my petition.
I am writing to respectfully request an extension of my Incomplete credit (IN) in POLS 396. I have now completed all required coursework, and the department has confirmed its willingness to grade my work pending approval of this extension.
The reason for my petition is that I experienced extenuating circumstances beyond my control that directly impacted my ability to complete the course within the original timeframe. I have a documented and legally recognized chronic disability that significantly affects my ability to manage deadlines, organize information, and make timely decisions during periods of heightened stress. During the summer of last year, I experienced an exacerbation of my disability symptoms while also trialing new medications under medical supervision. This period of adjustment was physically and cognitively challenging and significantly hindered my ability to focus, process information, and complete my academic work as intended. These effects were temporary but very debilitating, and they prevented me from meeting the original deadline for my POLS 396.
In the past few months my mother received a cancer diagnosis, which placed additional stress and emotional strain on me and further delayed my ability to finalize and submit my completed work earlier. Although I was committed to fulfilling my academic responsibilities, the impacts of my health challenges and my mother’s illness made it extremely difficult to regain my stability and complete the necessary requirements within the standard timeframe.
Since then, my condition has improved, and I have completed all outstanding work for POLS 396. I am now requesting an extension of my IN so that the department may evaluate and assign a final grade for the course. I have attached supporting documentation from my doctors, confirming the nature of my disability and its effects on my functional capacity during this period. I take my academic work very seriously and have I have put in a lot of effort to meet my program requirements despite these challenges. I sincerely thank you for your understanding and compassion in reviewing my petition.
Documentation
Professional Letter: DR. NOTE 2025-10-16 copy.pdf
Professional Letter Detail: Doctor's note
Documentation Detail: Doctor's note from the period refrenced in my letter
Amendment to Appeal 13685
Relevant Petition: 13685
New Information: To whom this may concern,
I am writing to appeal the decision regarding my request for an extension of an incomplete grade in POLS 396 (Winter 2024). I would like to clarify important aspects of my situation that I hope will be considered in reviewing my appeal.
The outstanding coursework in question is not a deferred exam, but an assignment that I have already completed. I understand that the policy cited in your letter primarily concerns exam deferrals and their administrations, but this would not be necessary in my situation. Due to this, I respectfully request your reconsideration of my case given that I have submitted the work and it is ready for evaluation.
I have also discussed this with the undergraduate chair of the department of Political Studies regarding the possibility of having the assignment graded. She let me know that, if my petition is approved, the department may be able to find an instructor to grade the assignment seeing as Dr. Bouka is on sabbatical. I will attach this email in my documentation.
This course is extremely important to me academically and personally. POLS 396 has taught me many crucial concepts in political studies and has further fueled my passion for international relations and my decision to pursue an education in humanitarian law. It is also one of the few courses that specifically addressed African politics, which is particularly significant to me as an African student who values the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the political issues affecting my home country. Completing this course successfully is very important to me both
academically and for my personal career goals.
Given that the work has been completed and that a potential grader may be available, I kindly request that my petition for an extension of the incomplete grade be reconsidered, so that my coursework can be assessed and my final grade changed. I understand that if a suitable grader cannot be arranged, I am willing to proceed with dropping the course as per the previously offered option. I was very intentional with selecting my courses throughout my undergraduate career and I take my learning very seriously, which is why this issue is very important to me. I greatly appreciate your understanding of the extenuating circumstances that affected my ability to complete the course on the original schedule, and I hope for a resolution that allows for my completion of POLS 396 without the need to drop the course.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Please let me know if any additional information or documentation is required to support my appeal.
Sincerely,
Joud Qumizakis
I am writing to appeal the decision regarding my request for an extension of an incomplete grade in POLS 396 (Winter 2024). I would like to clarify important aspects of my situation that I hope will be considered in reviewing my appeal.
The outstanding coursework in question is not a deferred exam, but an assignment that I have already completed. I understand that the policy cited in your letter primarily concerns exam deferrals and their administrations, but this would not be necessary in my situation. Due to this, I respectfully request your reconsideration of my case given that I have submitted the work and it is ready for evaluation.
I have also discussed this with the undergraduate chair of the department of Political Studies regarding the possibility of having the assignment graded. She let me know that, if my petition is approved, the department may be able to find an instructor to grade the assignment seeing as Dr. Bouka is on sabbatical. I will attach this email in my documentation.
This course is extremely important to me academically and personally. POLS 396 has taught me many crucial concepts in political studies and has further fueled my passion for international relations and my decision to pursue an education in humanitarian law. It is also one of the few courses that specifically addressed African politics, which is particularly significant to me as an African student who values the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the political issues affecting my home country. Completing this course successfully is very important to me both
academically and for my personal career goals.
Given that the work has been completed and that a potential grader may be available, I kindly request that my petition for an extension of the incomplete grade be reconsidered, so that my coursework can be assessed and my final grade changed. I understand that if a suitable grader cannot be arranged, I am willing to proceed with dropping the course as per the previously offered option. I was very intentional with selecting my courses throughout my undergraduate career and I take my learning very seriously, which is why this issue is very important to me. I greatly appreciate your understanding of the extenuating circumstances that affected my ability to complete the course on the original schedule, and I hope for a resolution that allows for my completion of POLS 396 without the need to drop the course.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Please let me know if any additional information or documentation is required to support my appeal.
Sincerely,
Joud Qumizakis
Student Number: 20305550
Documentation
Professional Letter: POLS 396 Email.pdf