Petition Letter
To whom this may concern,
I am writing to request an appeal to waive the 21-day appeal deadline.
My name is Natasha Wozniak and I am a 5th year sociology major in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Dating back to 2012, I obtained documentation that requested that I receive ¿¿Incomplete¿ grades for multiple courses due to serious mental health concerns. The documentation was obtained from my counsellor, Kim Thomas, at Queen¿¿s University Counselling Services. During this time, I was also in contact with my Undergraduate Chair of the Sociology Department, Professor Martin Hand. With his assistance and support, as well as the support of my counsellor, we formulated a plan that would get me back on track in regards to completing my schoolwork. Throughout this process and extensive conversations with my counsellor, Professor Hand, and my other Professors, it was not brought to my attention that there was a formal appeal process established under the Faculty of Arts and Science.
When obtaining the documentation from Queen¿¿s Counselling Services and presenting it to my Professors, as well as speaking with Professor Hand, it was not brought to my attention that I would have until the end of the following semester to complete my course work. Moreover, I was not informed that that my ¿¿Incomplete¿ grades would automatically expire the semester after they were granted. Consequently, I was unaware that I would have 21 days from the end of the course to appeal this deadline if my counsellor and I felt that I would not be able to meet this timeline due to extenuating circumstances.
I would like to emphasize that, during this time, Professor Hand was also unaware that there was a formal appeal process in place. It was only when Professor Hand submitted a grade change request on my behalf, with the Faculty of Arts and Science, in March 2016 that such a process came to his attention. Consequently, Katie Phillips also notified me, soon after, on the behalf of Dr. Bénard, Associate Dean, that there was a formal appeal process that I would have to go through.
I had the best intentions to rectify my academic situation and, thus, I got into contact with my department, whom I thought would be able to point me in the right direction. I also believe that Professor Hand did what he thought would be best for me and tried to handle the situation at the department level. Had I known about this process when I was first granted the ¿¿Incomplete¿ grades, I would have done my best to take the necessary steps, according to the Faculty of Arts and Science appeal process.
After having spoken with Associate Dean Dr. Bénard and Academic Advisor Haley Everson, and I am now well aware that there is a formal appeal process in place not only to make it fair for all students but also to support students and ensure that they are able to attain their full academic potential. I am hoping that, through this request to waive the 21-day appeal deadline, it is recognized that I took the steps I saw best fit. Moreover, with the acceptance of this request, I hope to be able to, next, submit an appeal in order to complete my courses and move forward to graduate Fall 2016.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Natasha Wozniak (10029796)
I am writing to request an appeal to waive the 21-day appeal deadline.
My name is Natasha Wozniak and I am a 5th year sociology major in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Dating back to 2012, I obtained documentation that requested that I receive ¿¿Incomplete¿ grades for multiple courses due to serious mental health concerns. The documentation was obtained from my counsellor, Kim Thomas, at Queen¿¿s University Counselling Services. During this time, I was also in contact with my Undergraduate Chair of the Sociology Department, Professor Martin Hand. With his assistance and support, as well as the support of my counsellor, we formulated a plan that would get me back on track in regards to completing my schoolwork. Throughout this process and extensive conversations with my counsellor, Professor Hand, and my other Professors, it was not brought to my attention that there was a formal appeal process established under the Faculty of Arts and Science.
When obtaining the documentation from Queen¿¿s Counselling Services and presenting it to my Professors, as well as speaking with Professor Hand, it was not brought to my attention that I would have until the end of the following semester to complete my course work. Moreover, I was not informed that that my ¿¿Incomplete¿ grades would automatically expire the semester after they were granted. Consequently, I was unaware that I would have 21 days from the end of the course to appeal this deadline if my counsellor and I felt that I would not be able to meet this timeline due to extenuating circumstances.
I would like to emphasize that, during this time, Professor Hand was also unaware that there was a formal appeal process in place. It was only when Professor Hand submitted a grade change request on my behalf, with the Faculty of Arts and Science, in March 2016 that such a process came to his attention. Consequently, Katie Phillips also notified me, soon after, on the behalf of Dr. Bénard, Associate Dean, that there was a formal appeal process that I would have to go through.
I had the best intentions to rectify my academic situation and, thus, I got into contact with my department, whom I thought would be able to point me in the right direction. I also believe that Professor Hand did what he thought would be best for me and tried to handle the situation at the department level. Had I known about this process when I was first granted the ¿¿Incomplete¿ grades, I would have done my best to take the necessary steps, according to the Faculty of Arts and Science appeal process.
After having spoken with Associate Dean Dr. Bénard and Academic Advisor Haley Everson, and I am now well aware that there is a formal appeal process in place not only to make it fair for all students but also to support students and ensure that they are able to attain their full academic potential. I am hoping that, through this request to waive the 21-day appeal deadline, it is recognized that I took the steps I saw best fit. Moreover, with the acceptance of this request, I hope to be able to, next, submit an appeal in order to complete my courses and move forward to graduate Fall 2016.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Natasha Wozniak (10029796)