Decision Letter
Submission Number: 14173
Decision Date: May 19, 2026
Associate Dean: Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic)
Student Name: Toryn Hamill
Student Email: 23kgcf@queensu.ca
Course: PHIL 204
Term: Winter
Year: 2026
Category: Request an extension of an exam deferral
Instructor: Jessica McMullin
Additional Information: Final Exam
Dear Toryn Clarke,
Thank you for your petition regarding a deferral of the Final Exam in PHIL 204 (W26). 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.
Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulation 1.1 states that 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 understand that bereavement‑ related circumstances had a significant impact on your ability to write the final exam as originally scheduled in April 2026, and I offer my sincere condolences on the passing of your grandparent. Traditionally, students who are unable to write an exam as scheduled within the context of a course may be eligible for a deferral through Academic Consideration or, where applicable, through Queen’s Student Accessibility Services. I note that you requested Academic Consideration for the exam deferral in this course and understand that the exam has been scheduled during the May deferral period.
In your current petition, you are requesting an opportunity to further defer the final exam beyond May 31, 2026, on the basis that you will be travelling from May 16 to May 31. While I recognize that this travel was planned in advance and am sympathetic to your situation, travel plans are not considered unexpected extenuating circumstances and are not considered typical grounds for a petition.
While I appreciate the documentation you provided confirming your flight dates, in the absence of documentation from a professional indicating that an unexpected extenuating circumstance is preventing you from writing the exam during the deferral period in May, I am unable to grant this request.
That said, as the documentation you provided confirms the bereavement-related circumstances during the 2026 Winter term, I will allow you to drop PHIL 204 (W26) after the academic deadline. If you choose to accept this option, your final grade will be replaced with a DR notation on your transcript. Please email asc.petitions@queensu.ca within 10 business days of receiving this letter if you wish to proceed.
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”). Appeals to the Board of Studies must be submitted within 10 business days of the date of this decision. 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)
Decision Date: May 19, 2026
Associate Dean: Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic)
Student Name: Toryn Hamill
Student Email: 23kgcf@queensu.ca
Course: PHIL 204
Term: Winter
Year: 2026
Category: Request an extension of an exam deferral
Instructor: Jessica McMullin
Additional Information: Final Exam
Dear Toryn Clarke,
Thank you for your petition regarding a deferral of the Final Exam in PHIL 204 (W26). 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.
Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulation 1.1 states that 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 understand that bereavement‑ related circumstances had a significant impact on your ability to write the final exam as originally scheduled in April 2026, and I offer my sincere condolences on the passing of your grandparent. Traditionally, students who are unable to write an exam as scheduled within the context of a course may be eligible for a deferral through Academic Consideration or, where applicable, through Queen’s Student Accessibility Services. I note that you requested Academic Consideration for the exam deferral in this course and understand that the exam has been scheduled during the May deferral period.
In your current petition, you are requesting an opportunity to further defer the final exam beyond May 31, 2026, on the basis that you will be travelling from May 16 to May 31. While I recognize that this travel was planned in advance and am sympathetic to your situation, travel plans are not considered unexpected extenuating circumstances and are not considered typical grounds for a petition.
While I appreciate the documentation you provided confirming your flight dates, in the absence of documentation from a professional indicating that an unexpected extenuating circumstance is preventing you from writing the exam during the deferral period in May, I am unable to grant this request.
That said, as the documentation you provided confirms the bereavement-related circumstances during the 2026 Winter term, I will allow you to drop PHIL 204 (W26) after the academic deadline. If you choose to accept this option, your final grade will be replaced with a DR notation on your transcript. Please email asc.petitions@queensu.ca within 10 business days of receiving this letter if you wish to proceed.
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”). Appeals to the Board of Studies must be submitted within 10 business days of the date of this decision. 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)
Generated May 19, 2026 at 2:41:08 PM.