Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Jillian Berry (Student number: 20204063)
19jjwb@queensu.ca
647-633-7636
January 7, 2022

Appeal-request to accept special option given to all students to submit PASS/FAIL grades past deadline

To The Faculty of Arts & Science Appeals Department,

I am writing to you with the following requests:

1. To request to exercise the expired option granted to me by the faculty, to change my grade in BIOL 102 and BIOL 103 to a PASS/FAIL, in order that these courses to not impact my cumulative GPA.
2. To request that the one term deadline be waived.
3. To request my appeal be expedited.

For the following extenuating circumstances:

- Last year I spent most of my time at home and when I was not at home, I was living off campus much of the time in quarantine and as such was isolated from normal faculty communication and peer group communication.

- Because I was so isolated, I was unaware of the option Queen's gave all undergrad students to receive a PASS/FAIL for fall term 2019 and winter term 2020. I received no emails with respect to this option and there are none that I can find. I only recently found it in the Queen's Gazette communication. I am only requesting the option extension to apply for two half courses: BIOL 102 and BIOL 103.

- During the 2020 winter term I was being treated for anxiety and depression which severely impacted the level of concentration and time I spent on my courses (letter from my doctor attached).

- Also, during the Fall final exam period of Fall term I contracted and was treated for very serious parasite in my feet that prevented me the ability to walk for approximately two months which extended well into winter term. (Letter from my doctor attached).

- I am now enjoying second year without all these extenuating difficulties, and it is reflected in my transcript. I am applying for the exchange program abroad that Queen's offers but most of the exchange universities require a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA at the time of the application submission to be considered. With the exclusion of BIOL 102 and BIOL 103 I exceed that requirement. Also, I am retaking BIOL 103 this term and I am very confident I will do very well this time around.

- The exchange application deadline is January 14, 2022. The admissions departments will be considering only applications that meet a minimum 3.0. Excluding BIOL 102 and 103 I have a 3.3 GPA.

These two marks are not a true reflection of my abilities which I have proven this year. Had I known of the option Queen's gave all undergrad students, I would have certainly made use of it. I respectfully request that I receive a PASS/FAIL for both BIOL 102 and BIOL 103 and that the one term deadline for appeal be waived for the above reasons. Please call or email if any further information is needed or if you have any questions.

Sincerely,


Jillian Berry