Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,
The unprofessional behavior by my professor for CHEM 213 started the day I had my peanut incident during the first week of September. I informed the professor prior to her exposing me that I was highly anaphylactic by smell to peanuts as I even wear a medical alert bracelet. Despite this, she proceeded to hand out the peanut treats for an in-class experiment putting my life in danger. What I found also upsetting was that she tried to justify her actions by comparing me to past students even though I warned her of my condition and explained that not all people have allergies the same way.
In addition, the first individual test completed was done in violation of my accommodations. The professor had knowledge of my accommodations a week prior to the test. I was told by her that, The test is not worth that much and it shouldn't be a problem to write with everyone else, I'm not sure my department can afford a proctor. Those of us with accommodations were given extra time starting at 1:25 pm. However, it was in the same class that everyone entered in at 1:30 pm disturbing us and causing me to have a panic attack. I reported this incident right after the test was completed to the undergraduate chairman of chemistry and it was brought to the professor's attention. In addition to not being allocated the appropriate amount of extra time for my test, the material provided for in-class lectures is given in a crowded manner which goes against my accommodations.
Despite me raising this issue on the first test, the following tests that proceeded also gave an insufficient amount of extra time. My accommodation allows 50 more time meaning if a test is 20 minutes, then my test should be 30 minutes. This was not provided, and I was rushed on many occasions to hand my test in at the same time as other students from the proctor at the time.
Since my first test that was done violated my accommodations, I asked my professor for it to please be removed from my grade. She stated that my final exam would then be worth 4 more than my peers. This was acceptable to me but should have not happened in the first place. As such I inquired if I am still able to drop my lowest test grade like everyone else in my class is privileged to do. I was given a No by her. When I asked why, she stated because my first test was removed, that I cannot have a second test also removed. I informed her that the first test was removed due to it being a violation of my accommodations and should not count. The professor proceeded to say, maybe. I had to go out of my way to contact my accommodations officer who said that I should be given the opportunity like everyone else to drop the lowest test grade. I then had to email my professor with the use of my accommodations officer for her to listen. This required a large amount of unnecessary action which took up my day causing me a great amount of stress near exams which is a large trigger for my sight disability.
Another example of an issue I had is as follows; I received a test mark back which was a B-. My group test was the exact same question and we received an A-. I said the same information, if not more, and gave these two tests back to my professor asking for a remark or explanation as to why I was marked less for the same explanation. Three weeks passed before I received a response about this from her and only because I emailed my professor a few days ago asking for my test back which I had given her. She informed me that she gave me the B- individual test and A- group test back when I received my test number four back. However, this never happened. She also told me that I did not get the same mark, as it was due to grammar. This conversation/explanation never happened and my professor said she had a conversation with me and handed back my test in question which did not occur. Thus, I have no proof for the missed mark. However, I am in CLST and Law in which I receive 90-100 on my essays and writings and therefore at a loss why she says I have poor grammar.
To conclude, 4 of my 5 tests have not had my accommodations followed or I have not been marked consistently with other students. As well, my accommodations have not been followed for the presentation of class material. These add to a significant portion of my grade and this grade will impact my GPA. I am doing quite well in all my other classes and do not wish this course to negatively affect my GPA especially when my accommodations were not followed for this course but were for my others. I request please a CR due to the inability of my professor to follow my accommodations throughout the semester and not giving me the necessary time I require to complete the tasks at hand. I also did not appreciate her challenging me on my accommodation requirements, on more than one occasion, and violating my basic human rights regarding my health. It is for these multiple reasons that have resulted in me having to meet with the Dean of Arts and Science faculty with my accommodations officer Meg Hall to which I was told my CR would be approved and I simply had to send an appeal in to make it official. Thank you for your understanding and support. Rachel Korchinsky 20061156.