Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Attn: Associate Dean Bénard:

This appeal is to request AG status in GDNS 360 based on extenuating medical and personal circumstances. This letter will also address the significant impact on learning in a dysfunctional classroom and learning environment.

Lack of accommodation for assignment extension:

My Uncle Ted passed away a few days before an assignment was due, and when I asked for a few days extension by e-mail, didn't get a response, so I asked the professor in class and her verbal response was Well, I'm going to need proof. She advised me she would extend to Friday from Wednesday. Later she sends me e-mail stating I had until Thursday, not Friday, and that such last minute extensions are unfair on other students who strive to work through various assignment conflicts to get their work on time. I didn't realize an unexpected death was the same as an assignment conflict. As I understand it now, Queen's University passed a policy in regarding short term accommodation and this response was contrary to the spirit of the policy - indeed, she didn't even inform me of the process.

Dismissive attitude toward students:

Prof Kukreja discourages participation by being unapproachable and aggressive, I've tried, and watched others, if your response isn't what she wants you are met with a very unwelcoming that's not what I'm looking for, or that's not what I'm talking about now.

Instructor's Personal Sexual Abuse/Violence Issue:

Regular reference to her own sexual abuse/violence experience in teaching the class to the point that she continued to refer to this point in almost every class. She makes front of class statements such as I'm so sad today, not sure if I can teach. I found this reference disturbing including a comment that she can no longer be hugged from behind.

Inability to raise concerns or have informal resolutions:

When raising concerns about assignments / work / marks the professor was unapproachable. One attempt resulted in her becoming aggressive stating we were attacking her and stopped the discussion. When concerns were brought in class she stated she was too upset to discuss it and added blame on the class as a whole violently attacking the parameters of the course. She stated our opportunity to address our concerns was, you can put those in your USATs if you want. Future discussions about work / assignment marks were met with an e-mail promise of discussing in the next class, both times she refused.

Choice of 'Academic Content':

A video in class showed a male-male commercial pornography clip (full nude sex acts) without any pre-warning of what was to come other than this may be uncomfortable, she got upset when she noticed I (and some classmates) weren't watching. This type of media goes against numerous boundaries I live by. It greatly upset me and numerous classmates. Classmates were invited to a meeting with the Gender Studies Department Head Samantha King which I understand that you are aware of how difficulty this situation was for the students who expressed concern.

I joined with fellow students and approached the Academic Grievance Centre as clearly the Professor and the TA and the department head were unapproachable. They took our concerns to Student Services - set up a meeting with Sue Blake. Only one of the two students allowed to attend came, felt overpowered and unheard. The resolutions that were derived from that were minimal at best and as a result classroom tension and toxicity continued to climb.

Attempt at informal resolution:

You had worked to have an undertaking with Prof. Kukreja and asked that we take a leap of faith and trust that all would work out. Some of the undertakings as I understood were:

1. All marks would be given before the next class (last class before exam) - this did not happen.

2. Prof Reena would act and behave in a professional manner (increasingly hostile).

3. Prof Reena would go through and discuss the upcoming exam (an expectation as 3rd year students we should figure it out and finally relenting by giving one student preparatory material and telling her she could share it).

As a student registered with a disability and who receives accommodation, the impact of this hostile relationship and continued changing of guidelines left me with an increase in migraines every time I have to address something relating to this course and to relive the most dreadful learning environment that I have encountered.

As a result of the ongoing traumatic issues endured over the past several months I find myself unable to prepare for this exam. My personal and mental health have taken a blow and it is negatively affecting all aspects of my life. I am currently taking prescription medication to control medical issues (migraines and anxiety) exacerbated by this ordeal. I'm finding as there continues to be no closure on this issue, the medical impact worsens and it is negatively impacting my current courses and life outside of school. I have expressed my feelings and concerns about this course and the instructors for several months. (Copies of e-mails available upon request). Assurances that the matter would be rectified were ignored by the professor and the department head. Finally, I filled out and submitted a personal survey (separate from USATs) handed out and collected by Prof Kukreja. I was honest in my opinions and suggestions. Needless to say they were not very complimentary. Given her past behaviour of bias, vindictiveness, and a marking system that seems to follow her emotion of the hour rather than the written rubric, I see no fair way for me to be marked on this course and its material.

The mere thought of this course, its content and the instructor literally cause me to become physically unwell. I am physically and mentally unable to complete any further work in relation to this course. As a result I am asking for your help in granting me an Aegrotat Standing for this course GDNS 360. I see no future in pursuing the issues with the prof or the class any further.

If the Aegrotat Standing is granted this will allow me to finish and graduate my fourth year with the required credits to continue on to my fifth year in the concurrent education program.

Regards

Brittney Thompson (10152955)