Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Johanne Bénard,

I am writing this letter to request that I be allowed to add one 3.0 credit course to my timetable (History 222W), even though the university¿¿s add / drop deadline has since past.

I received an email from Heather Carter one day prior to the deadline informing me that I was 1.5 credits short of attaining my required total to graduate this spring. This occurred due to a previously selected course being left in my shopping cart, thereby incorrectly informing me on Solus that my requirements had indeed been fulfilled. By the time I had received the email my classes were wrapped up for the week, and I irresponsibly neglected to check my inbox until the following Monday. After inquiring about the appeals process through email, I also visited the office of the Faculty of Arts and Science to clarify exactly what needed to be done in order to add a course late. Since then I have received permission from Professor Vassili Schedrin to join his course ¿Jewish and World Civilization Since 1492¿¿. Professor Schedrin outlined exactly what I had missed and provided me with a comprehensive description of the course, in addition to explaining how he would like me to catch up in order to succeed this semester. I have spoken with the undergraduate chair of history Anthony D¿¿Elia who also supports my case, and an email to the Associate Dean¿¿s address prompted a response from Katie Phillips stating that I have met the necessary requirements and should proceed with my appeal.

While we are quickly moving through this semester, I do feel that I will be able to catch up and witness success in Professor Schedrin¿¿s course. Meeting with the professor gave me great confidence, as his outline was clear and concise, and he had faith I would do very well ¿¿ even with such a late start. Being in the last semester of my undergraduate degree, the workload for this course is far less substantial than many of the other upper-year seminars that I am currently enrolled in; additionally, throughout my time at Queen¿¿s I have taken seminars and lecture courses on a number of topics intricately related to the subject matter of this course and its relevant time period. Jewish studies have been an area of interest for me in the past few years, and I have explored many of its themes in courses including: The Reformation, The Ottoman Empire, The Holocaust, and most recently, The Crusades and Medieval Europe. With an established working knowledge of the material at hand, and a relatively sparse schedule this semester, my ability to catch up should not be impeded in any perceptible manner. The mid-term for History 222 is on the 22nd of February, and one of the course¿¿s assignments is also due that day. Considering the lengthy break I will have over reading week, I should have ample time to work through material which I have missed, and likely get ahead for the coming weeks. In addition to the regular syllabus, Professor Schedrin has discussed the possibility of a small make-up assignment or two, something I can also complete over reading week. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to add this course, as delaying my degree for 1.5 credits would be quite an unfortunate circumstance at this point in my undergraduate career. I look forward to hearing your decision, and hope that involves me being able to take this course which I not only need, but have a genuine interest in