Petition Letter
To Associate dean Queen's University Dated: Sep16, 2017 Subject: extend the incomplete CHEM321 until the end of 2018 appeal letter Dear Associate dean, I am appealing to extend the incomplete CHEM321 (Winter, 2017) until the end of 2018. My Canadian dad passed away at 1:17am Mar 16 (winter, 2017). I did not know that he had cancer until reading week; so it was a shock to me. After reading week, most of the time I was away and not able to attend my lectures. I only completed CHEM397, MICR230 and MATH111 and did not complete CHEM323, CHEM 321 and STAT263. It was very hard for me to focus on these courses because of too many memories during this term. Every time when I opened a book to try to study, I had no memory of the course. I only remembered trying to study either on the train or beside my dad in the hospice. I decided to enroll in two summer courses (BCHEM218 and HLTH230) because I was looking for a fresh start and tried to focus on something else beside my incomplete courses. I completed my CHEM323 exam at 1:00pm May 10 and hoped that I could have my STAT263 exam around the end of May and my CHEM321 exam around mid June. Unfortunately, after my dad's burial on June 3, I finally realized that my dad was gone forever. I was super sad and not able to work anymore, so my Taiwan parent decided to get me a ticket. She wanted me to go home. I left Canada on June 26 and studied two of my summer courses in Taiwan only. Once I finished my summer courses (July 28) I took a 20 day break and had a vacation with my friends and family. It was good, and I finally felt more relief from my sadness. I decided to come back to Canada a week early (Aug16). I wanted to have time to study both CHEM 321 and STAT 263. Once I was not jet lagged anymore, I had an appointment with Spring Forsberg (AUG 24) and tried to figure out what to do. We both agreed that I should set up exam times with professors. My CHEM321 exam was set for Sep 6 and STAT 263 exam was set for Sep 15. I had been asking for access to CHEM 321 on onQ during this summer because I did not have the complete notes for this course. I finally got in to onQ on Aug 31. Then I studied from that day on. Because this course was taken during Winter term and during the time of my Canadian Father's death, I had not been able to focus on the material during that term. I realized once I started studying for this course after my Summer term courses were completed that I did not have a strong enough understanding of the course. I do not feel comfortable to do my exam without attending to the course. I had tried couple passing exams but I have no clue how to do it and what should be the right answer. I had strongly avoided working on these courses during my summer time because of lack understanding as well as all the memories during my winter term that would made me sad. Even though it had been a while, I still had hard time to focus by myself instead of following courses schedule, I was still thinking about my dad while I was studying. One day before the exam I went back to Spring Forsberg and let her know that I did not feel comfortable to do my CHEM 321 exam without attending the course because I had a hard time understanding the material. She gave me a couple of suggestions. I am hoping that my appeal can be granted because I am hoping to graduate in 2018. I am still taking a full course load for my final year. Therefore I am hoping to attend lectures in the winter term and complete the exam with other students instead of re-doing the entire course again. I just had my STAT263 exam yesterday (Sep 15) and now I am looking forward for my new term. Thank you. Sincerely, Alysa Chueh.