Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Thursday, February 4, 2021


Associate Dean (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen¿¿s University


To the Associate Dean (Academic):


My name is Daniel Meeks (Student No: 10178388). I am submitting this appeal to add MUSC-412 Polyhymnia Vocal Ensemble after the add/drop deadline.

Currently, I am enrolled in a BSc (Hons.) in Biochemistry, but I am planning to graduate at the end of this term with two separate degrees, adding a BA in Music as a Second Degree. While planning for the upcoming academic year, I was in contact with a representative from Arts and Science Degree Requirements in August 2020 to ensure that this was possible. I was advised at the time that I would need to satisfy the requirements of each degree and achieve 150.0 units to be awarded a Second Degree. From my understanding of the emails I received, I would need to complete 4.5 units of electives in addition to 6.0 outstanding units in BCHM during the 2020-21 academic year, and I believed that I was on my way to satisfying these requirements with the course load I was planning to take. However, when preparing to apply for graduation, I was notified that I would be 1.5 units short of meeting the 150.0-unit threshold by the end of the 2021 Winter Term, and at this point, the deadline to add a course had already passed.

Since September, I have been participating in MUSC-412 Polyhymnia Vocal Ensemble as a non-credit student. I joined at the invitation of Darrell Christie, the course instructor, to participate in the virtual choir projects the ensemble was undertaking this year. I have worked with Darrell in many ensemble scenarios in the past, and I was excited and willing to participate in this course. Originally, I did not want the added stress of adding it to my course load, as I was under the impression that I did not need the credit. An ensemble course with the Dan School of Drama and Music typically carries a weight of 1.5 units so, should this appeal be granted, the credit earned through MUSC-412 would allow me to satisfy the 150.0-unit requirement for obtaining a Second Degree. I have been in contact with Professor Christie and he has assured me that, given my involvement since the beginning of the Fall Term, I will be able to satisfy the course requirements for MUSC-412 as I have not missed any course content. Furthermore, Professor Christie has expressed that I will be able to complete assignments that will sufficiently compensate for any graded assessment I did not submit during my time as a non-credit student in the course.

I sincerely thank you for your consideration of my appeal.


Best regards,


Daniel Meeks
(Student No: 10178388)