Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing to appeal my grades for BCHM270 and MUSC171, the two credit requirements in my ETOX degree. As for many students, the learning/studying situation which began in March was a significant adjustment for me. However, this has personally been an existing situation, stemming far back before the pandemic. Prior to the working-from-home situation including safety measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, I had spent years trying to explore different learning strategies and figure out which ones work for me. As a student with a permanent disability, I had met with several advisors at QSAS and developed strategies to best assist me in my learning. A significant strategy that has allowed me to focus, is studying and doing work in a space that is away from the space where I live. Living in residence, this would mean either studying in the libraries or other buildings on campus, as the common rooms in my residence building were not sufficient as a study space.

It is for this reason why, as a residence don, I would plan my study schedules in advance, and ensure that my on-call shifts (nights where I would have to stay in the residence building 8PM-8AM) would not take place near or on nights I would have many tests or assignments due. As a residence staff for several years, I would still try to work on these nights but I would never be successful in gaining focus and attention during this time.

I have consulted with healthcare professionals and changed the dosage of my medication that helps with my focus, but working at home has been especially difficult for me and I feel that the manner in which I performed in these courses does not reflect my true ability. As the professors of these courses are aware, I struggled with keeping up and one of these courses especially (BCHM270) was very poorly done, with most, if not all of the assignments involving docked marks due to late submissions - one paper involved the docking of 40 from a final project grade, which was initially docked 70 prior to speaking with the professor again. I have been in touch with my QSAS advisor several times throughout this pandemic regarding my struggles in these courses, and they have been helpful in providing support, however there is only so much they could do.

Last semester, there were barely any study spaces and it was difficult to live at a home with parents falling under a vulnerable group (65+), where I had to be extra cautious. This semester, I hope to implement my new learning strategies, as well as take advantage of the libraries and cafes that have since reopened. Furthermore, my desk at work is also a great place where I can complete work when I am not working. On my days off, I find myself extremely unproductive and missing deadlines if I stay inside of my place of residence, however when I do visit my alternative study spots, I am able to concentrate and complete work on time. I hope to receive a CR for these two marks as they hinder my transcript, especially for the manner it ends off my BSH undergraduate degree, as well as the effect on my GPA. If you have any further questions I would be more than happy to explain, as my performance in these classes has left me stressed about finding a career.