Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Ron Joseph Vaknin
1 Taywood Court
Dundas, Ontario
L9H 7A2
Tel: 905-517-6575

Student ID: 20068990


January 24, 2019

Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson, Associate Dean:

I am writing to respectfully request permission to do a Late Drop of Econ 250 (Fall, 2018) which currently has registered a failing grade. I retook this course in the winter semester, and would like to have the failing grade removed from my transcript. I am applying for the Queens Undergraduate Internship Program and I fear that a failing grade will prevent me from successfully finding employment.

I am also requesting an Aegrotat Standing in Phil 257 (Winter, 2019) as I have completed most of the course, except for one assignment due to extenuating circumstances discussed below.

I have previously submitted doctor's forms to the university detailing my physical injuries and resulting insomnia. I have an exacerbated hip and shoulder injury which causes me great pain, particularly when I sit for prolonged periods of time. I have been working with physiotherapists under my family doctor's supervision, to correct the problems.

As a result of my hip injury and ongoing debilitating pain, I was unable to attend all of my classes this past semester. Since Econ 250 is a statistics class and math requires exclusive sitting in order to attend lectures and do the actual work, it caused me extensive pain in my hip to sit for prolonged periods of time. As such, I was unable to attend many of the lectures which are critically important for the in-depth understanding required to succeed in mathematics. The reason I was able to successfully complete Calculus 126, is because it was largely a repeat of what I learned in high school and only required minimal effort and time sitting, in order to pass. As for my other classes, I was able to print off readings and obtain notes that I could read while lying down with my hip elevated and not have to sit in lectures or at my desk.

With respect to Phil 257, I am requesting Aegrotat Standing. Due to my hip injury, I developed postural problems resulting in a shoulder impingement. This is documented in my academic considerations portal, in the form of a letter from my doctor. As a result of my hip and now shoulder injuries, I requested an extension for one assignment in Phil 257 as well as an assignment in Pols 250, due at the same time. Unfortunately, I was only able to complete the Pols 250 assignment in time due to the excruciating pain which I struggled to work through. I explained my situation to my professor of Phil 257, and he suggested that I do an incomplete grade, handing in the assignment later in the summer. However, I am starting a full time job on May 1st in Toronto and trying to heal and rehabilitate from my injuries. As such, my professor and I agreed that the best option for me was to apply for Aegrotat Standing.

This summer I am scheduled for intensive physiotherapy; as well as appointments with an orthopedic surgeon to help fix my structural hip and shoulder injuries.

I ask that you consider allowing me to do a late drop of Econ 250 so that this failing grade does not show up on my transcript; as well as granting me Aegrotat Standing for Phil 257. If you require any additional doctor's letters or further information, please let me know and I will provide.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,


Ron Joseph Vaknin