Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Manage Appeals

Petition Type: New
ID: 7656
Submitted: May 6, 2021 at 9:01:40 PM
First Name: Gregor
Last Name: MacKay
Student Number: 20240038
Degree Program: CoCA
Plan: FILM
Level of Study: 1

Petition Categories

Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Appeal Category Detail: Adjust grade to pass/fail
Code: FILM 110
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2021
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: CISC 101
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Petition Letter

Petition Letter: Associate Dean (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Queens University

May 6th 2021

Dear Associate Dean,
Having completed my course requirements for the past term, I am now turning my attention to the recommendation I received from several people at Queens who are advising me on my academic path.

Request:
I would like to request to that the following two courses be dropped ¿¿ CISC 101 (Fall, 2020), Film 110 (Fall 2020/Winter 2021). I understand, if this this appeal is accepted, that they will appear on my transcript as having been attempted, but dropped and ungraded.
I would further like to request that the following two courses ¿¿ PHIL 151 (Fall, 2020), and GPHY 101 (Fall 2020) ¿¿ be adjusted to pass/fail grading. I understand, if this appeal is accepted, that the course grade will not appear on my transcript or count towards my GPA, but that I will receive credit for the course.

Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances
Along with so many of my first-year classmates who started at Queens this year but could not get to the campus, I feel the pandemic has had a profound effect on my experience and my ability to integrate into the post-secondary environment. I did not connect with valuable orientation, with classmates, with my professors or teaching assistants, or with any of the student services at Queens. The pandemic left me uprooted, and perhaps suffering in quiet anxiety about what to do, how to organize differently, and where to turn for support. The first half of the first term had little difficulties, however nearing the midpoint I began to fall behind. I became overwhelmed and did not seek any assistance which I believe was due to anxiety, as I had never been in any situation even remotely close to this and was worried about what my family members and my professors would say or do. I began to avoid my family members and the school¿¿s online system. Ultimately, I was offered a Letter of Accommodation for extenuating circumstances during the Winter 2021 term from a QSAS advisor, Deb Bruce, along with FAS academic advising. When I was trying to get to the root of the issues that had become apparent to those around me during the second term, these advisors recommended that since the issues stemmed from the first term, I should make this appeal. I understand that I will be continuing as if a first-year student during the term ahead and I very much hope you will grant this appeal so I can have a fresh start.

Sincerely,
Gregor MacKay
20gtm@queensu.ca

Academic Plan

Academic Plan: I have begun to take steps to fix this situation. I completed with first year with a lighter course load. I am recognizing the importance of talking with my professors to seek help when I need it. I have registered to take summer courses to start making up for dropped courses. I will do my best to get back on track.

Documentation

Professional Letter: Gregor - DM-0.pdf
Document: scan-4.pdf