Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: Members of the Board of Studies,
I am appealing the Associate Dean's decision to deny my appeal to drop STAT263 (Term 2) after the academic deadline.
I wanted to clarify regarding the decision letter that was sent via e-mail from the associate dean. The e-mail stated I want to remind you that it is never recommended for a student to write an exam while unwell or experiencing extenuating circumstances. However, in the syllabus, it states that the result of not writing the final exam will result in a mark of 0. I was not made aware by any professors or website information that it is highly discouraged for students to write an exam under extenuating circumstance. I had previous deferred my STAT263 exam at the end of April due to the fact that I had COVID-19. However, from my understanding via the syllabus, I had been informed that if I don't complete the exam in the deferred period, I will not have a chance to complete the exam.
Furthermore, I want to clarify that now that I am reviewing a lot of my notes in preparation for September, I am finding it easier to absorb new information thanks to the fact that I am able to study from home. Throughout my time at Queen's, especially in second term, I had the constant stress of planning and organizing who will take care of my sister, and take her to school, as well as provide meals for her while my parents were at work. As a family member and as an older sibling whom she looks up to, it has always been my responsibility to manage and take care of her well being. Unfortunately, due to the constant commute between Toronto and Kingston, I was unable to study and appreciate my work to my fullest capability. The constant stress was also educationally discouraging which further unmotivated me to complete my studying. In second term, this is when my mom had accepted a full time job to support the family more financially. My mom had always worked flexible hours of 3pm to 11pm in which she was able to be physically active for my sister. However, due to her working 5 times a week from 7:30am to 3:30pm, and working extra hours has caused difficulty in managing my family's time as well as mine. Currently, I am fortunately at home in Toronto where I am able to watch after my sister during the weekdays and I pick up a few shifts of work on the weekend so I can also provide financially to a limited extent. Unfortunately, we are unable to afford daycare which further resulted in a difficult situation I was in earlier this term. The reason for my transfer in September to University of Toronto is to commute from home so I would not be physically away for long periods of time.
It is in high hopes that the members of the board understand the difficult situation I was in and reconsider the associate Dean's decision. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Appeal Letter: Members of the Board of Studies,
I am appealing the Associate Dean's decision to deny my appeal to drop STAT263 (Term 2) after the academic deadline.
I wanted to clarify regarding the decision letter that was sent via e-mail from the associate dean. The e-mail stated I want to remind you that it is never recommended for a student to write an exam while unwell or experiencing extenuating circumstances. However, in the syllabus, it states that the result of not writing the final exam will result in a mark of 0. I was not made aware by any professors or website information that it is highly discouraged for students to write an exam under extenuating circumstance. I had previous deferred my STAT263 exam at the end of April due to the fact that I had COVID-19. However, from my understanding via the syllabus, I had been informed that if I don't complete the exam in the deferred period, I will not have a chance to complete the exam.
Furthermore, I want to clarify that now that I am reviewing a lot of my notes in preparation for September, I am finding it easier to absorb new information thanks to the fact that I am able to study from home. Throughout my time at Queen's, especially in second term, I had the constant stress of planning and organizing who will take care of my sister, and take her to school, as well as provide meals for her while my parents were at work. As a family member and as an older sibling whom she looks up to, it has always been my responsibility to manage and take care of her well being. Unfortunately, due to the constant commute between Toronto and Kingston, I was unable to study and appreciate my work to my fullest capability. The constant stress was also educationally discouraging which further unmotivated me to complete my studying. In second term, this is when my mom had accepted a full time job to support the family more financially. My mom had always worked flexible hours of 3pm to 11pm in which she was able to be physically active for my sister. However, due to her working 5 times a week from 7:30am to 3:30pm, and working extra hours has caused difficulty in managing my family's time as well as mine. Currently, I am fortunately at home in Toronto where I am able to watch after my sister during the weekdays and I pick up a few shifts of work on the weekend so I can also provide financially to a limited extent. Unfortunately, we are unable to afford daycare which further resulted in a difficult situation I was in earlier this term. The reason for my transfer in September to University of Toronto is to commute from home so I would not be physically away for long periods of time.
It is in high hopes that the members of the board understand the difficult situation I was in and reconsider the associate Dean's decision. Thank you for your time and consideration.