Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: April 30, 2026





Re: Petition for Academic Remedy — Exam 2, Disability Accommodation Processing Delay



Requested Remedy

I am petitioning for a grade replacement, dropped exam, or a grade change to something that reflects my overall performance for Exam 2 in my CISC 151. I received a 35% on this exam due to two interconnected circumstances: I was unable to receive my approved disability accommodations because of a processing delay beyond my control, and I subsequently relied in good faith on my professor's assurance that a holistic grade review would be conducted at term's end, which delayed my ability to pursue formal channels sooner.



Extenuating Circumstances

I have been formally diagnosed with ADHD and have held extended time accommodations since grade 4, including throughout my time at this university. Prior to Exam 2, my documentation required renewal. I flew home to Calgary during reading week specifically to have my physician sign the updated forms — my doctor is in Calgary, and I study in Ontario, making this the only feasible opportunity. I submitted the documentation immediately upon returning.



Accessibility Services requires 10 business days to process renewals. The exam fell on the 9 th business day ( 13th day) — one day short. This was not due to any inaction on my part. It was the result of a geographic barrier to obtaining documentation and a processing timeline that narrowly missed completion. I also want to note that in my first semester, I was permitted to use accommodations under a grace period while documentation was being updated.

The day before the exam, I emailed Professor Abbas with a Ventus screenshot showing my pending accommodations and my documented accommodation history at this university. I acted proactively and in writing — I did not simply arrive and hope for the best.





Why I Did Not Apply for FAS Academic Consideration at the Time

In his response, Professor Abbas suggested I should have applied for FAS Academic Consideration and not attempted the exam. However, my academic advisor confirmed that this option was not available to me, given the grace period arrangement I had been operating under. I also had reasonable grounds to believe my accommodations might come through, given my pending Ventus status and the fact that I had flagged the situation to my professor in advance.



Reliance on Professor's Assurance

After the exam, Professor Abbas acknowledged my situation and advised me to focus on Exam 3, stating that grades would be reviewed holistically at term's end and that the teaching team would do what they could to ensure my grade reflected my understanding rather than a procedural issue outside my control. I relied on this assurance, I focused on Exam 3 and received an 88%. I did not pursue a formal petition at that point because I understood a review had been committed to. When I followed up after Exam 3, Professor Abbas indicated that no mechanism exists at the course level to alter the grade. If this had been communicated from the start, I would have filed this petition immediately and would have been more understanding if there were no possible remedies, but this was not the case. I was led to believe that if I did well on the last exam, there was going to be some change to exam 2.



Academic Standing

My grades speak clearly: 84% on Exam 1, 35% on Exam 2 (without accommodations), 88% on Exam 3, and 94% in the remaining coursework. Without the Exam 2 result, my performance across this course has been consistently strong. The 35% does not reflect my ability; it reflects the direct impact of taking a timed exam without the extended-time support I am entitled to and depend on.



Supporting Documentation Available

Ventus screenshot emailed to Professor Abbas the day before Exam 2

Full email correspondence with Professor Abbas, including his holistic review assurance

Written statement from my academic advisor confirming FAS Academic Consideration was not a viable option given my circumstances

Ventus accommodation history showing prior use at this university



My updated documentation is now fully processed and active in Ventus. I have spoken with my academic advisor to ensure timely renewal is going forward. I am not asking for an advantage — I am asking for my grade to reflect my actual abilities under the accommodation conditions I am entitled to receive.



Thank you for your time and consideration.





Respectfully,



Ben

[20485977]

[BAH, 2nd year]

[24cpv@queensu.ca]