Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Associate Dean (Academic)
Queen's University
To the Associate Dean (Academic):
Re: Charlotte S. Dixon; Student Number: 20207097
Phone: 647 339 5619
I am writing this appeal with a two-fold request. First, I am requesting to drop Bio
course from Fall 2020, past the drop deadline. Secondly, I am requesting that the final
result of my Calc 121 from last summer be changed to credit standing rather than the
low mark currently on my transcript.
With regard to the Bio 110: Last year--my first year in university--I forgot go to drop
this course by the drop deadline. The F I received reflects this fact. I did not actually
attend the course or do any of the evaluations. I am aware that it was my responsibility to
drop the course by the appropriate date. Last year, however, was a very difficult one for
me. In particular, I found the COVID-mandated isolation in my first year of university
difficult to cope with, which (I now realize) led to me not always being on top of my
administrative responsibilities. It was my first year away from home, I was not in
residence, and I had little-to-no contact with even fellow students let alone someone who
could advise me on navigating the university requirements. I then became embarrassed
by my oversight, and intimidated about addressing my concerns with anyone at the
university. But after discussions with my parents, and fortified by their support, I am
writing now to ask, in essence, for some mercy--i.e., whether this course could be
dropped from my academic record.
With regard to the Calc 121: I took this course in the summer which, of course, was
entirely on-line. I was up north working at a camp at the time of the final exam. I was at
a location in which the only wifi available was at the camp's central office computer. I
reserved time on this computer for my exam, but I somehow confused the correct time. I
was crushed and mortified when I realized that I would therefore receive a zero for the
exam, especially because my mark going into it was an A. I also thought there was
nothing I could do to correct my mistake. The lack of wifi further added to my sense of
helplessness in the situation. But again, after talking things over with my parents, and
contemplating the first-year challenges I faced (as noted above with regard to the Bio
course), I do feel that the isolation I experienced all year due to COVID meant that I was
simply unaware of how the university could possibly help me in these situations. I think
if I had been not so isolated during my first year, I would have been more fluent with the
2
administrative aspect of courses, and would have been aware of potential resources that
could have helped. Given that my poor final mark in this course was owing to an
administrative error on my part, and not an academic one, I hope that you would consider
replacing that mark with a credit standing on my transcript.
I should add that I came to Queen's as an 'A' student, and, if you look at the rest of my
first-year transcript, you will see that I did achieve two 'A''s and a 'B' despite the
difficulties I experienced as described above. I am aware regarding both requests that it
was my responsibility to be vigilant about university requirements, and, going forward, I
can emphatically say Lesson learned
I am hoping, though, that you might be willing to allow for the effects of a uniquely
difficult year, and for my subsequent feelings of shame and embarrassment, and for my
uncertainty regarding university procedures and resources, as all leading to the delay in
making this appeal. In that regard, I should add that I wrote an email to the registers office outlining the above concerns in early September 2021 (after being unsuccessful at getting an in
person appointment). When Ms. Jessica Whiting kindly responded to me on December 3,
I inferred from her email that my September letter had been perhaps inadvertently
misplaced or overlooked, possibly causing further delay.
Thank you very much for considering my two requests. If you require any further
information, or would like to speak with me in person, please do not hesitate to contact
me.
Thank you, and very best regards,
Charlotte S. Dixon