Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am a third year Sociology Student, also doing a Business Certificate.

I am appealing the grade of 'F' which I received in ENIN 140, which I took in the summer term of 2018. My professor was Sidneyeve Matrix. I am requesting the opportunity to complete and submit these assignments after the end of the April exam period (by May 10, 2019), and have them fairly graded. I am appealing on medical grounds, and also on fairness grounds as I was told by Professor Matrix that I could submit my assignments during the winter 2019 term. If it is not possible to complete the course now, I am requesting a late withdrawal from the class.

As can be seen from the attached email chains between myself and Professor Matrix, I had difficulty completing the course over the summer of 2018, due to health problems. I attach the medical form from my GP, Dr. Katrin Lovett which addresses these issues. Briefly, over the fall and winter of 2017/18, I developed a severe pain in my upper abdomen and back, as well as gastrointestinal issues. I had many medical consultations and tests over the spring and summer of 2018, but no clear diagnosis was found. As it seems my problem is partly musculoskeletal, I began attending physiotherapy, massage therapy and chiropractors. Over the summer of 2018, I had multiple medical or therapeutic appointments each week, and I had to delay my return to Queens for my fall term by a week due to medical appointments in Vancouver.

I had completed two quizzes for ENIN 140, but was struggling to complete the two major assignments for the course. I advised Professor Matrix about my health issues and asked for an extension to finish the course assignments, which she granted. Professor Matrix did not give me a deadline, but I intended to finish the course when I got back to Queens in the fall. I also agreed with Professor Matrix that I would combine the two assignments into one larger assignment (see email chain dated September 2-10, 2018).

Unfortunately, over the fall of 2018, my rib and back pain became worse, and I found it difficult to study and sometimes had to leave classes partway through. I attended physiotherapy and massage therapy in Kingston, and also went to Ottawa to see a chiropractor two or three times. I flew home to Vancouver for a colonoscopy/endoscopy in early December. All of this was extremely stressful and further reduced my available study time. I was also experiencing depression and anxiety as a result of my ongoing pain and inability to participate in many social activities. While I did manage to complete my five fall courses, I was not able to finish my assignments for ENIN 140.

I was supposed to go on Exchange to Glasgow Scotland for the winter 2019 term, but I had to cancel this because of my health issues and ongoing pain. The decision not to go on Exchange was very disappointing and stressful. This also meant that over Christmas and early January 2019, I had to find and register for courses at Queens for the winter term.

When I returned to Queens in January 2019, I emailed Professor Matrix to confirm that I could still provide the assignments for ENIN 140. She responded to me 'Yes, all is well'. Please see attached email chain dated January 12, 2019. I hoped to submit the assignments in January, but again I was not able to do so for health reasons. My back pain again got worse, and I had to see the campus doctor a number of times in January, and had x-rays and further chiropractor visits.

In early February, I tried to log into the ENIN 140 course website to confirm the parameters and requirements for the assignment in order to complete it. I discovered I was blocked from the course. I emailed Professor Matrix about this on February 6, 2019. She responded to me on February 11, 2019, telling me that the window to submit the assignments had closed at the end of the fall term, and that I had to appeal to the Faculty office. Please see attached email chain dated February 11, 2019. I then saw that I had a grade of 'F' in the course.

I was extremely upset about this, as I had been doing my best to complete the work for ENIN 140, had never been given a deadline, and specifically had not been told that I must submit by the end of the fall term; in fact, I was told the opposite in January 2019. I met with a faculty advisor about this issue on February 14th in the midst of trying to complete my mid-term assignments. I was told that I needed medical documentation for the appeal. I was also told to ask Professor Matrix for support in my appeal, which I did, but I have not received a response. I don't feel I can wait any longer and so am submitting this appeal without her response.

The medical documentation from my family doctor is attached. I have now also applied for medical accommodations for my five winter term classes, because my back pain is still preventing me from studying for long periods and sitting through my classes. I am still hopeful that I can complete my five courses by the end of the regular spring term, which would allow me to then complete the assignment for ENIN 140. In March, I had an MRI of my spine, which we hope will provide some information so that I can make some progress in recovery this summer.

I care very much about my academic performance and my grades and I am very distressed and upset about receiving an 'F', particularly when I have tried so hard to complete all my classes and maintain good grades despite my health problems.

In summary, I am requesting a further extension of time to May 10, 2019 to complete and submit my assignments for ENIN 140, and for a fair assessment of them so that I can receive an appropriate grade in this class. Alternatively, if it is no longer possible to complete the course, I am requesting that I be granted a late withdrawal. Thank you for your consideration.