Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,
I am appealing to the Faculty of Arts and Science for an extension of my previously Incomplete grade for PSYC 100. Due to extenuating circumstances I could not complete the final exam for this course, and the approval of this appeal will allow me take the exam when it is next offered and receive a grade as I completed all of the course work prior to the exam. If this is not possible, I would appreciate if the course could be removed from my transcript so that I could retake it with no academic penalty.
I had previously written an appeal for Aegrotat Standing following a Grade Three concussion and spinal injuries I sustained on the 1st of February, however Aegrotat Standing could not be applied to my PSYC 100 course. I was granted an extension for this exam which I was scheduled to take on the 6th of September, but due to additional unforseen circumstances, I was advised by my Occupational Therapist on campus not to take the exam. I was unable to take this exam on the date of the extension as I suffered a second injury on the 1st of September and was diagnosed with Second Impact Syndrome. Although I had not yet fully recovered from the first injury, I studied throughout the summer and was well prepared to take the exam in September. I had already enrolled myself in a reduced course load for the current semester as I was experiencing lingering symptoms such as severe short term memory loss as well as attention and processing difficulties. After the second impact to my head, my original symptoms of pain, headaches, and light/noise sensitivity on top of my existing difficulties with memory and learning had returned and magnified while new symptoms including dizziness and vertigo inducing nausea and vomiting had arose. Since this injury, I have had to further reduce my course load and am currently taking three courses in attempt to minimize my symptoms while still working towards my degree. I have returned to working with concussion-specialized physiotherapists and a concussion specialist (physician) at my home in North Bay. Both of which recommended that I avoid taking the PSYC 100 exam following the second injury as well as taking a reduced course load, if any, as I returned to school in the Fall due to a fear of potentially catastrophic symptoms of Second Impact Syndrome.
I understand this request is late considering the date of the exam, however a faculty advisor had told me that I could hold off on submitting the request until I feel well enough. Directly after the incident, I was unable to operate a vehicle until I was cleared by a physician and have just returned to Kingston full time last Saturday and have been trying to complete the necessary steps following such an injury. I will continue working with a team of specialists in hope to regain normal function in order to return to my fullest academic abilities. I am still travelling back and forth to North Bay on a bi-weekly basis to attend these appointments to work towards recovery and have also made an appointment with a concussion specialist on campus through Student Wellness Services. In my last appeal I included that it was also recommended that I register with QSAS for the remainder of my Undergraduate studies which I am still in the process of completing as my family physician has very little office hours throughout the week and I am currently waiting for him to return the document. I would greatly appreciate consideration for either of my request options as I hold myself to high standards academically and would be devastated to receive an F on my transcript for circumstances that I could not control.
As my family physician is difficult to reach, I have already spoken with my concussion specialist at the hospital in North Bay who said he would gladly fill out any supporting documentation I need for either the appeal or QSAS. As I will be speaking with him tomorrow, I will request that he completes documentation for the appeal as it is time sensitive and will submit the document as soon as it is returned to me.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Dagmar D¿¿Agostino
20131229