Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am appealing for a late drop of Physics 117 (fall/winter 2020-2021). I had a psychological assessment done at an early age that found that I have a written language disability and a mathematical learning disability, along with ADHD. Throughout high school and elementary school, I had accommodations set up to support these diagnoses and help me succeed.

My first year at Queens was online and from home. Due to my inexperience and covid-19, I did not understand how accessibility services worked and therefore did not register my accommodations for the 2020-2021 school year. This greatly affected me negatively by making it difficult for me to complete tests in the allotted time frame, type and express my thoughts quickly, and do mathematical problem solving. Unfortunately, I failed physics 117, a 6-credit course as a result. I was passing at the midterm and thought I could handle the work as I have never failed a course and always had the resources I needed. However, it ended up being too much on top of my heavy course load as trying to stay focused from home was very difficult. I was able to succeed in all my other courses that winter term and get an A- or above because the weighting of assessments was more balanced, and did not heavily involve mathematics, which my learning disability significantly affects. Calculus 121 had a very even and fair weighting of assessments, and you were able to drop your lowest test grade, so I was able to succeed in that course. Unlike in physics 117, where the weight distribution was heavily centered on the two proctored exams worth 30% each and no smaller assessments that could help raise my grade. Having my accommodations set up would have greatly benefitted me and allowed me to pass Physics 117 because I would have received the extra time needed to process information on the exams.

The F on my transcript significantly lowered my GPA which was very discouraging as I had to work two times harder than my peers in all my courses to achieve my marks. I have very high career aspirations and plan to go to grad school, so the F really hinders my future and doesn??t allow me to thrive. Because of this, I knew that I had to not be intimidated to take charge and set up my accommodations for the following school year. This 2021 fall term I registered with Student Accessibility Services, and I also got my family physician to sign a disability verification form because my IEP was more than 5 years old that declares I still have ADHD. I plan on going to get reassessed for my learning disabilities before the next school year.

I also have another extenuating circumstance I think is pertinent to mention. The morning of the final exam in April 2021 my mother was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance and consequently it was difficult for me to focus during the exam afterwards on top of my learning disabilities. I appreciate the time it took you to read this, and hope you thoroughly consider my appeal.