Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 7957
Submitted: July 9, 2021 at 11:27:01 AM
First Name: Nathan
Last Name: Narang
Student Number: 20005105
Email: 15nan@queensu.ca
Degree Program: Certificate in Entrepreneurialism
Plan: ENIN
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request a review of instructors' decisions on grading of final examination and/or term work
Code: ENIN 400
Term: Summer
Year: 2021
Petition Category: Request a review of instructors' decisions on grading of final examination and/or term work
Instructor's Name: Sidneyeve Matrix
Component: Idea Fest final presentation
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academics):
I am writing to file an academic appeal. I am hoping to obtain a review of my grade for ENIN 400 for the ¿¿IdeaFest¿ (worth 50) since I received a heavy penalty of a 40-point deduction (48) over my group, who earned 87. This 40-mark deduction was determined by Prof. Matrix as a penalty for missing the first 10 minutes of a 2- hour meeting as I needed to go to the washroom and that was not in my control. This was also imposed without meeting with me or any attempt at any fair resolution or options. I do not believe the penalty aligns with the course policy as outlined. I believe this means I will fail this course, and my GPA will be heavily affected.
My request: Is for a fair, independent and unbiased review of the circumstances that lead to a 40 point penalty, and a review of a grade commensurate of my extenuating circumstance that was not in my control.
Explanation of circumstances: I believe the teaching team failed to provide a reasonable decision as they did not attempt to provide a) a neutral decision maker after it appears I could not get a fair assessment and b) refused to consider my extenuating circumstances as evidence in their decision making and c) the penalty was too harsh given the circumstance was not in my control.
The below is an explanation of what happened:
On June 21st, 2021 I attended a Zoom meeting for my final group presentation for ¿¿IdeaFest¿ for ENIN 400. I logged on to Zoom at around 5:58 pm, for a 6:00 pm start time. We were in a wait room and my group can corroborate I was present at 6:06 pm when we were still waiting to be let in. I had to go to the bathroom rather urgently due to something I ate, and I went to the bathroom around this time. We had no information in advance of the order of the presentations (and given an earlier presentation 2 weeks prior went by voluntary order), I did not know my group would be up first to present (we discussed one hour before to volunteer to go the earliest at 3rd). When I returned, about 10 min later, I had missed our presentation. I could not control the duration of my bathroom visit. My group indicated they were sorry for not waiting for me, and that they just went forward without me. I immediately messaged Prof. Matrix and Bavington, however neither responded. I waited until the end to speak with them, however Prof. Matrix told me ¿¿now is not the time¿, and hung up the call, without making any arrangement or effort to try to hear my side of the story. My group members even corroborated she was being quite hostile.
I sent numerous e-mails, explaining my situation and offering some resolution and options. To this day, Prof. Matrix has never met with me, or offered any options for resolution. In fact, on June 22nd, a day after this event, she already made up her mind and indicated ¿¿No we were not prepared to make immediate adjustments to the IdeaFest schedule to accommodate your circumstances. Yes it was your responsibility to be present and prepared. No your group will not have another chance to pitch. Yes your grade will be negatively impacted.¿ Ms. Matrix claims the penalty was because I was not present and ready to present as per the course policy. This is erroneous. I was present and acknowledged as such by Prof. Bavington. I was ready to present and my group can attest to this.
A few days later, I spoke with Prof. Bavington at his request as he said he would be willing to reach an early resolution on the matter. He often placed a lot of blame on me, and although I recognized some fault, he did not offer any options or solutions, despite his mention of his intention to resolve this internally. Prof. Burge indeed tried to assist me, however he said Prof. Matrix is ultimately the person who decides on my grade.
I have been polite and reasonable throughout and have not received reciprocal treatment. I find this decision may be a result of some personal biases towards me. This was substantiated by Prof. Bavington himself over the phone when he recommended that he and Prof. McLellan stay out of this dispute, because they felt they could not be neutral with me.
I sincerely hope my concerns will be legitimately addressed. Thank-you very much for your time and efforts to review my matter.
I am writing to file an academic appeal. I am hoping to obtain a review of my grade for ENIN 400 for the ¿¿IdeaFest¿ (worth 50) since I received a heavy penalty of a 40-point deduction (48) over my group, who earned 87. This 40-mark deduction was determined by Prof. Matrix as a penalty for missing the first 10 minutes of a 2- hour meeting as I needed to go to the washroom and that was not in my control. This was also imposed without meeting with me or any attempt at any fair resolution or options. I do not believe the penalty aligns with the course policy as outlined. I believe this means I will fail this course, and my GPA will be heavily affected.
My request: Is for a fair, independent and unbiased review of the circumstances that lead to a 40 point penalty, and a review of a grade commensurate of my extenuating circumstance that was not in my control.
Explanation of circumstances: I believe the teaching team failed to provide a reasonable decision as they did not attempt to provide a) a neutral decision maker after it appears I could not get a fair assessment and b) refused to consider my extenuating circumstances as evidence in their decision making and c) the penalty was too harsh given the circumstance was not in my control.
The below is an explanation of what happened:
On June 21st, 2021 I attended a Zoom meeting for my final group presentation for ¿¿IdeaFest¿ for ENIN 400. I logged on to Zoom at around 5:58 pm, for a 6:00 pm start time. We were in a wait room and my group can corroborate I was present at 6:06 pm when we were still waiting to be let in. I had to go to the bathroom rather urgently due to something I ate, and I went to the bathroom around this time. We had no information in advance of the order of the presentations (and given an earlier presentation 2 weeks prior went by voluntary order), I did not know my group would be up first to present (we discussed one hour before to volunteer to go the earliest at 3rd). When I returned, about 10 min later, I had missed our presentation. I could not control the duration of my bathroom visit. My group indicated they were sorry for not waiting for me, and that they just went forward without me. I immediately messaged Prof. Matrix and Bavington, however neither responded. I waited until the end to speak with them, however Prof. Matrix told me ¿¿now is not the time¿, and hung up the call, without making any arrangement or effort to try to hear my side of the story. My group members even corroborated she was being quite hostile.
I sent numerous e-mails, explaining my situation and offering some resolution and options. To this day, Prof. Matrix has never met with me, or offered any options for resolution. In fact, on June 22nd, a day after this event, she already made up her mind and indicated ¿¿No we were not prepared to make immediate adjustments to the IdeaFest schedule to accommodate your circumstances. Yes it was your responsibility to be present and prepared. No your group will not have another chance to pitch. Yes your grade will be negatively impacted.¿ Ms. Matrix claims the penalty was because I was not present and ready to present as per the course policy. This is erroneous. I was present and acknowledged as such by Prof. Bavington. I was ready to present and my group can attest to this.
A few days later, I spoke with Prof. Bavington at his request as he said he would be willing to reach an early resolution on the matter. He often placed a lot of blame on me, and although I recognized some fault, he did not offer any options or solutions, despite his mention of his intention to resolve this internally. Prof. Burge indeed tried to assist me, however he said Prof. Matrix is ultimately the person who decides on my grade.
I have been polite and reasonable throughout and have not received reciprocal treatment. I find this decision may be a result of some personal biases towards me. This was substantiated by Prof. Bavington himself over the phone when he recommended that he and Prof. McLellan stay out of this dispute, because they felt they could not be neutral with me.
I sincerely hope my concerns will be legitimately addressed. Thank-you very much for your time and efforts to review my matter.