Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Board of Studies,

I am writing to request a reconsideration of my Lab 3 failing grade, which has prevented me from passing the lab component of CHEM 212 and failed me for the entire course. I have attached the grading rubric that shows where I lost marks and why the professor of the course marked the lab was a failure. This appeal is specifically directed at 2 mark deductions that resulted in me getting a 24/50, which made the lab report failure. I am hopeful that one or both of these 2 marks can be ¿¿un¿-deducted so that I am allowed to pass the course.

These 2 mark deductions can be seen on the graded rubric attached to this appeal, under Introduction, and Discussion. In the Introduction for this lab, I was deducted a mark for ¿¿No citations provided¿ and in the Discussion, I was deducted a mark for ¿¿Scientific sources recommended by the lab instructions were not consulted (not referenced).¿ I am appealing the first of these two marks in particular because it is not explicitly stated that a lack of references in the introduction would be penalized, and furthermore, I do not believe I was penalized for this issue in labs 1, 2 or 4. (Unfortunately, I cannot 100 confirm this because it appears that my access to all of my lab feedback and marks have been removed from OnQ. I brought this issue up with the Undergraduate Chair of the Chemistry Department, and I was not given an answer, as can be seen in the emails provided with this appeal - specifically the Jan 5th email thread). Additionally, the only mention of the need to use references in the introduction came as a ¿suggestion¿¿ in the feedback from Lab 2, and the feedback was very clear that use of references in the introduction would provide a more complete lab report, but it was not explicitly stated as a requirement. It is important to note that this ¿suggestion¿¿ is not mentioned in the Lab Manual, the marking rubric or the Lab Report guidelines provided to students as direction for how to write lab reports. With regard to the second of these two marks, it is also not indicated or explicitly mentioned in any of the documents related to the writing or marking of lab reports provided by the course that it is mandatory to include references used in the lab manual. Again, I had not been penalized for this issue in any of my previously submitted lab reports, but again I cannot confirm this, because all of my lab feedback has been removed from OnQ.

Lastly, the course instructor also deducted marks for the late submission of Lab 3, after a reluctantly agreed-upon extension by the Lab Coordinator (which can be read about in the emails attached). Even though I submitted the lab after the agreed-upon extension, I provided suitable documentation and explanation that should have excused the delay and reversed the late marks. Unfortunately, I believe these documents and explanations have been unfairly denied by the Undergraduate Chair of the Chemistry Department. Additionally, it is worth noting that when I had initially asked for an extension for Lab 3 based upon my academic accommodations, my requests were not honoured and I was only given an extension 7 days after the request due to the ¿¿sympathy¿ of the professor¿¿ (which can also be seen in the emails attached). This created a very uncomfortable position for me in regards to asking for an additional extension, given his refusal to even accept university accommodations that had been asked for prior to the deadline, and this only compounded the issues I was dealing with during the delayed time period before the final submission of Lab 3.

Finally, I am concerned that according to the appeal's website, the Undergraduate Chair of Chemistry, the course coordinator and lab coordinator may be consulted in regards to the regrading of this lab. I would like to request that this not occur given my experiences dealing with them throughout the semester and throughout my attempt to get my Lab 3 re-graded.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that this appeal is solely regarding 2 marks on Lab 3 from Chemistry 212. I am not looking for any other aspect of my lab (including other aspects of Lab 3) or other submitted coursework in CHEM 212 to be looked at, reconsidered or held against me, as the issue I am appealing is solely regarding 2 mark deductions in Lab3 and the validity of my medical documentation excusing the late mark deductions. I would also like to request that I be informed if they are consulted further and to be informed about what they have said, so that I may be provided with an equal opportunity to explain and defend myself if needed.


NOTE: I understand that it may come to your attention that this is not my first appeal, but I hope you view this appeal as independently from my past appeals as possible and be allowed the opportunity to explain anything that is unclear or concerning regarding any possible relationship between these past appeals and this current one.



Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Charles Maderia-Shapiro 20026370