Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

I am applying for the Faculty of Arts and Science academic appeal to have CR (credit standing) for ECON 250 in 2021 Winter. First, my psychological change due to technological problems (unstable wifi and VPN) and domestic and family problems that require me to return to my hometown in rural China to take care of my ill grandparents are extenuating circumstances beyond my control negatively impacting my academic performance. Second, I have suffered from my mental illness (depression and anxiety). I have medical documentation in the appeal to prove that my mental illness (depression and anxiety) are extenuating circumstances beyond my control negatively impacting my academic performance. Third, unusual academic events are the consequences of these extenuating circumstances that cause my final grades of these courses to fail to prove my real learning abilities. Therefore it is fair for me to not have final grades. It will be very much appreciated if you can approve my appeal and grant me CR (credit standing) for ECON 250.

First, the wifi and VPN connection in Beijing, China and Yingtan, China was so poor that disrupted my online learning to an unacceptable degree. I had registered Queen's VPN with the technical support people when I was in Canada in 2020 September and enrolled in the paid EVPN subscription. However, the extremely unstable wifi connection and VPN connection in Beijing, China and Yingtan, Jiangxi, China (rural China where I spent most of my 2021 winter term taking care of my grandparents who were diagnosed with hypertension and prostatic cancer). Not only I must take care of my grandparents in rural China who were severely ill but also, I must catch up with my studies in rural China. I had reached for help from the Queen's technology support side and EVPN side, but the VPN had prohibited me from viewing major content on onQ. For instance, I could not view almost all lectures because the video can barely be played which was the cause of falling behind in my studies. I still worked on and submitted every quiz, assignment, midterms, and final exam with what I had learned from poor learning experiences.

Second, I had diagnosed with depression and anxiety in China in 2019 summer. I had fought against my mental illness from that time until now. During the 2020 fall term, my depression and anxiety became extremely severe that I had trouble sleeping, focus and pay attention. As a result, my academic performance during the 2021 winter term in ECON 250 is poor. For instance, I used to have a very fast heartbeat, short breath, sweaty hands, and headaches when reviewing lectures, working on my assignments, quizzes, midterms and final exam. Both the quality of my work (lower grades) and my time management (late submission) had failed to justify my real learning abilities. My average GPA in the first year was 3.3, therefore a D- in the course was unfair to evaluate my academic performance. Thus I am applying for the Faculty of Arts and Science academic appeal to have CR (credit standing) for ECON 250.

Third, unusual academic events are my evidence for appealing to have CR for ECON. The particular event of incapable of viewing recordings of all class videos on Microsoft Team and onQ. For exercise 1, I had messed up the due time and added extra work in my second submission. There were technical difficulties on onQ webpage that prohibited me from taking ECON 250 final exam on 4/16 at 6 am KST time because the start exam button was not working. I had to negotiate with the tech support side and Professor Smith's side to reschedule a proctored final exam due to the technical difficulties while suffering from depression and anxiety. I still pushed myself to study for the final exam with my biggest effort in the shortest time to do the make-up final exam in a few days to avoid a late drop off the course or taking a final exam in the fall term because I will exceed my workload so my performance on the exam will not be guaranteed. After Professor Smith had given me a D- for the course, he had suggested I apply for CR since assignments could not be revised at that time. In my opinion, my extenuating circumstances beyond my control were sufficient to prove that my academic performances in the course failed to justify my true learning abilities so I deserve to not have a final grade.

In conclusion, despite the technical difficulties after reaching for help from the technical support side, EVPN side and professor's side, my extra work to take care of my ill grandparents in rural China, my mental illness that led to lower grades and late submission are all extenuating circumstances beyond my control, I continue to dedicate my biggest effort, time, and energy into learning to achieve the highest grade possible. Consequently, my psychological change, domestic and family problems, physical illness and unusual academic events are very compelling and persuasive therefore I kindly ask you to grant me have CR (credit standing) for ECON 250 to truly represent my learning abilities (currents grades not fair and representative). This means a lot to my degree-seeking academic career (Bachelor of Arts Honour with Economics major and Certificate in Business) and my bright future (Master of Business Administration). I will appreciate and thank you for your approval and assistance.