Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing this appeal to request a credit standing for my three courses, ECON 212, 222, and COMM 221 from last semester. There were extenuating circumstances which affected my overall exam performance leading to a final mark that was not reflective of my efforts put forth throughout the semester.

Extenuating circumstances beyond my control which took place during final exams prevented me from achieving the mark I deserved and should have earned in these three courses. I was entering both final exams with relatively good grades, my grade entering the ECON 222 exam was an A- and my grade entering the ECON 212 exam was a B, and averaging about a B- in COMM 221. I was clearly performing well and had absorbed the knowledge and applied it throughout the semester. Having moved into a house this year that was older, I started developing allergies to mould, which were triggered and worsened by stress. During the month of December, my grandmother fell very ill, she passed at the end of December from complications related to her illness. Having already had stress related health issues and complications as well as allergic symptoms that were further worsened by stress, it was extremely difficult to study and perform well on my exams given my health and family related problems. During my exams I was under such immense stress that I was unable to apply course concepts that I had already applied in past evaluations to my final exams. I had clearly applied the material well throughout the semester, given my grades, however during my exams I was unable to write with a clear mind and this was why the result of my exams varied so greatly from my previous assignments, exams and quizzes in these courses. I was prescribed anti-histamines for the allergies, however I suffered from a lack of sleep and cognitive ability to function during the course of my exams, which is why I am appealing to have these marks be reflected as a credit standing. In my documentation I have included various assessments that attest to my performance in these courses leading up to the final exams, medical documentation from my family doctor, as well as a death certificate outlining the aforementioned complications (can be translated if needed).

I have taken steps to ensure that I will be able to cope better moving forward. Firstly, the fact that I had performed well up until my final exams should be a factor which would prove that I am on the same path to do so during this semester, and have been doing well so far. I am going to be visiting a grief councillor, as well as taking advantages of Queen¿¿s University resources for mental health to ensure that I will be able to cope affectively going forward this semester. I have also recognized the symptoms of stress and when they start to form, which I have been able to manage with the help of the resources available to me. Lastly, I have been ahead of my school work, and have submitted assignments and written exams effectively well this semester, which I plan on continuing throughout final exams. I have also been taking personal steps to ensure my mental health is taken care of, like attending yoga and practicing meditation. I have noticed so far that this has been very helpful when I have studied for courses.

The illness and death of my grandmother was not easy for myself or my family, however I have taken the steps this semester to be able to grieve while having it not affect my performance. I have proven that I was able to perform effectively in my courses prior to extenuating circumstances, and I have taken steps to ensure that I will be able to perform well this semester and cope with my stress effectively. I ask that you please allow my final marks in these courses to become a credit standing, so that they will not effect my overall progression in my program. I will retake these courses next year to ensure that I achieve a mark that is reflective of my efforts and knowledge of the course concepts, however I believe the prior marks that are on my transcript should be more reflective of my circumstances than my efforts towards a grade.

If any other documentation is required, I will gladly provide it as there is a limit on uploading documents, however I have attached the most relevant to this case.

Thank you,


Kaivan Adjedani