Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: 19/01/2021

Dear Associate Dean,

I am appealing to drop DEVS 230 (Fall 2020).
On December 14th, 2020, I received the news that my father had tested positive for COVID-19. My father who works and lives in Nepal, had become very ill with severe symptoms of the virus. This news came to me abruptly in a text message from my mother while I was studying for my DEVS 230 exam which was being held the next morning on December 15th, 2020. My mother, who has previously struggled with depression and is the only caregiver for my two younger sisters in Canada ages 4 and 9, requested that I come to Toronto to help her. Later that same night, I packed my personal belongings and decided to do my best to take my exam at home in Toronto. Worried about my mother's heath and as the eldest sibling in my family, the caregiving role for my little sisters fell on me. This role included everything from cooking for them to bathing them. While I had adequately prepared for my exam, this news took a heavy emotional and mental toll on me. My healthy father, who I have not seen in almost two years, was very sick and there was no way of seeing him in person. Nepal, which has a level 4 Covid-19 level, had closed it borders to non-Nepali citizens. In my attempt to write the exam, I struggled to form basic sentences and put my thoughts into words. My mental state along with the attention that my little sisters required every couple of minutes, made it extremely difficult for me to write my exam paper and resulted in not submitting anything. The DEVS 230 final exam was worth a total of 45 percent of my entire grade, and because of the significant weight this exam held in determining my final grade for the class, I ultimately failed despite doing well in the class prior to the exam. Although this extenuating circumstance heavily impacted me emotionally and mentally in ways that were beyond my control, I am very disappointed in myself for not being able to perform well academically in this specific course. However, I am pleased to announce that my father has now fully recovered from the virus, and my family and I will be visiting him in Nepal in the upcoming month. I hope for your understanding and consideration into my request.
Sincerely,
Chonyi Lama
20108303
17cll5@queensu.ca
647-606-2362
475 Princess Street 102
Kingston, ON, K7L1C3