Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Submission Number: 13888
Decision Date: February 23, 2026
Associate Dean: Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic)
Student Name: Holly Gomes
Student Email: 21hamg@queensu.ca

Course: CHEM 281
Term: Fall
Year: 2025
Category: Request an extension of an exam deferral
Instructor: John Carran
Additional Information: Final Exam

Course: PSYC 301
Term: Fall
Year: 2025
Category: Request an extension of an exam deferral
Instructor: Leandre Fabrigar
Additional Information: Final Exam

Dear Holly Gomes,

Thank you for your petition regarding an exam deferral in CHEM 281 and PSYC 301 (F25). I have carefully reviewed your request and while I’m unable to grant your petition, I want to assure you that your circumstances were considered thoughtfully and with care as part of the decision-making process.  

According to the Academic Appeal and Petition Regulation 1.1 petitions are only granted where there are significantly extenuating circumstances, which would merit the waiving of a particular Faculty regulation or decision. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to their academic performance. These kinds of extraordinary situations should be supported by official documentation from a health care practitioner or other relevant professional.

I acknowledge that you were unable to write the deferred exams in January due to a health-related circumstance. However, your petition did not include documentation to confirm that an extenuating circumstance beyond your control prevented you from writing these exams during the 2025 Fall term as originally scheduled. As a result, I am unable to grant this request.

If you are concerned about the impact that your grade these courses have on your cumulative GPA I would suggest that you consider repeating them in a future term. When repeating the exact same course code, both attempts will appear on your transcript however, only the higher grade will be included within the calculation of your cumulative GPA.

Additionally, if you wish to appeal this decision, information on the appeal process and deadlines is available at queensu.ca/artsci/undergraduate/student-services/academic-petitions-and-appeals (click on “Second Level”). The Office of the University Ombudsperson offers guidance on student rights and procedural fairness at queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/procedural-fairness, and they are also available to support you at queensu.ca/ombuds.

I hope that you continue to seek out the support and resources available to you, and I wish you the best in navigating your next steps.

Sincerely,

Dorit Naaman, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)