Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dean,

I am writing to formally request a review of a grading matter in GLPH385, taught by Dr. Carver. I appreciate your time in considering this appeal. I am bringing this matter forward because I believe I was denied a fair opportunity to benefit from an in-class bonus mark activity that was not disclosed in the course syllabus and was not otherwise communicated through any formal course channel available to students who were absent from class.

The issue concerns an in-class bonus mark opportunity that took place over the course of two weeks. During that period, I was unable to attend class because I was scheduled to work. Had I been aware that bonus marks were being offered, I would have made every reasonable effort to arrange shift coverage in order to attend. Unfortunately, I had no knowledge that such an opportunity existed. To the best of my knowledge, there was no reference to this bonus activity in the syllabus, no announcement posted through the course platform, and no other written communication indicating that bonus marks would be available or that attendance on those particular dates would carry additional grading significance.

I only became aware of the bonus mark opportunity after it had already passed. Once I learned of it, I contacted Dr. Carver to explain my circumstances and to ask whether there might be any possibility of an alternative or equivalent opportunity. I also explained that I am currently 1% away from the letter grade I had been hoping to achieve in the course. Dr. Carver advised me that because I had missed class, I had also missed the bonus mark opportunity.

I fully understand that attendance in class may affect a student’s ability to participate in certain activities. However, my concern is not simply that I was absent. Rather, it is that this bonus mark opportunity was not identified in the syllabus or communicated in any formal way that would have allowed absent students to know of its existence and make informed decisions. In my respectful view, when an activity has the potential to affect final grades, students should receive clear notice through the syllabus or official course communications so that all students are aware of the opportunity and its significance.

I am not seeking special treatment, but rather a fair review of a situation in which I had no meaningful opportunity to participate because the activity was undisclosed. I respectfully request that this matter be reviewed and that consideration be given either to an equivalent opportunity to earn the missed bonus marks or to another remedy that would address the lack of prior notice.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be sincerely grateful for any review of this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Emma Klimczak
20400118
22KXR1@queensu.ca (please reply to this email address rather than emma.klimczak@gmail.com)