Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am appealing to request for credit standing in BCHM 310 (Fall/Winter, 2018/2019); late drop of BMED 173 (Fall, 2020) and GPHY 314 (Fall, 2020); and extension of an incomplete (IN) grade in REPD 372 (Fall, 2020) and ENGL 161 (Fall, 2020).

I was unable to complete the requirements for each of the courses above due to a recurrence of severe physical and mental illness experienced from October 2020 until January 2021. In March 2020, I took a sudden hiatus from my academics due to the onset of severe acute physical and mental illness. Over the course of the following summer I was in recovery and by August I returned to Kingston to undergo the new school year locally. Similar to previous years I was working and living in residence. However, due to strains set on the environment as well as devastating isolation, both related to the pandemic, I was without my usual supports. In addition, the uncertainty caused by the negative outcomes of the previous Winter 2020 semester caused grave difficulties. Furthermore, on October 2nd I experienced a severe recurrence of physical and mental illness that had left me seriously and increasingly incapacitated and on October 10th I was moved back home.

I was scheduled to write an outstanding final exam for BCHM 310 (Fall/Winter, 2018/2019) on October 7th, 2020. Due to the very extended rescheduling of this exam and the teaching team's message that this was the last day to write the make up exam I felt mandated to write the exam despite my inadequate condition. I experienced health emergencies during the exam necessitating washroom breaks and I was incoherent for a majority of the duration. Thus, I was not able to finish the exam and received a grade substantially lower than the level I was originally performing at. Furthermore, during the Fall 2020 semester I was taking REPD 372, ENGL 161, BMED 173, GPHY 314, and PHGY 170. Unlike my experience of illness earlier in the year I was attempting to finish the semester despite my declining health to try to avoid withdrawing from studies. To avoid withdrawing from studies I was communicating with my professors as I faced these difficulties. Near the deadline to withdraw from courses I was working on an accommodated course plan for all my courses approved by all professors that could allow me to finish the semester. However, maintaining the course load at that time negatively contributed to my recovery and proved detrimental. There was an increasing reduction in the number of working hours in which I could operate and therefore, the number of courses I could meaningfully contribute to. After communicating my further decline in health, the professors for PHGY 170, REPD 372, and ENGL 161 communicated that they were able to accommodate. I received extensions for PHGY 170 that allowed me to finish the course that semester. To increase the chance of successful completion the professors for ENGL 161 and REPD 372 accommodated by assigning incomplete grades and extended my deadline to January 2021. Furthermore, the professors for GPHY 314 and BMED 173 stated that due to course policies and/or the extent of accommodations provided for other students they were not able to accommodate me at that time, thus necessitating a formal appeal for late withdrawal. Unfortunately, despite working towards completing the requirements for REPD 372 and ENGL 161, my declining health prevented me from submitting my work by the January deadline. During February 2021 I have prioritized my recovery and restarted my care regimens with my family physician. I have now completed all the requirements for REPD 372 and ENGL 161, however, the professors have communicated that at this time I must formally appeal for an extension of the incomplete status in order to submit.

Moreover, after returning to a supportive environment and restarting care regimens with my family physician and Queen's SWS counsellor it is clear that this is the necessary course of action and environment for me to finish my studies. At the time of writing this appeal it is March 2021 and I have been in a good position to finish the semester for a good period of time. Should my appeal be granted BCHM 310 (Fall/Winter, 2018/2019) and the 2 failure grades in BMED 173 and GPHY 314 from Fall 2020 may be critically addressed. Additionally, I will be able to submit my now completed outstanding work for ENGL 161 and REPD 372. Addressing these courses will be a critical step for the successful completion of this current semester. Furthermore, I will continue to actively take the appropriate steps to ensure that I am able to maintain my academics. This is expected as I have regular appointments with my care team. I have always been highly motivated to complete my degree. I confident that with the recovery of my health, my staying in this environment, and the consideration of my circumstance I will be able to.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my appeal. I value your time and consideration. I have provided the corresponding documentation in support of this appeal and I will be happy to provide any additional information or documentation as needed.

Best regards,

Osarumwense Brenda Omoruna