Petition Letter
To The Associate Dean,
I am appealing Professor Mackay's decision to fail me in MUSC 171 (Fall 2019).
I took MUSC 171 as a Personal Interest Credit designated for pass/fail grading. I am
in my final term of my BCom Honours degree and had a cumulative GPA of 3.86. Please
consider the following circumstances in my defence. I had a 76 average in MUSC
171 based on all of my term work. The final was an essay worth 35. I completed
the final essay 2 days before the due date, which can be shown as there were no
further edits past that date. I gravely regret not submitting it on the date I
completed it. I momentarily lost focus on the submission date due to a personal
breakup and family issues that occurred at that time. As soon as I realized I forgot
to submit it, which was twenty minutes past the deadline, I contacted my professor
immediately. Unfortunately, he said he could not accept it. I was completely
devastated, but at the time I thought I had enough to pass without it. Unfortunately
I later learned that I had 49.4, just short of a pass. I first noticed I received an F
when I returned to Queens. I was dealing with the loss of my grandma who passed
away December 21 and did not check my grades over the holidays. I emailed the
professor as soon as I found out to schedule a meeting. At first he agreed, but later
sent an email stating if this was regarding my grade he would not meet with me. I
subsequently met with an academic advisor at Smith School of Business who
suggested I again try to contact the professor. I contacted him and was again told
there was nothing he could do and it was up to me to appeal.
I would very much like the opportunity to have Professor Mackay read the final
essay I wrote and allow me to be regraded for MUSC 171. The impact of an F on my
transcript is serious especially if I apply to graduate studies in the future. I
understand the University has an academic reputation to uphold, but I understood
the material in the course and demonstrated that knowledge. It is so unfortunate
that a moment in time can jeopardize all that I have worked for up until this point. I
take pride in my work ethic and am distressed as this does not represent my true
character or ability.
Thank you for your consideration of my appeal.
Sincerely,
Peter Kachan
I am appealing Professor Mackay's decision to fail me in MUSC 171 (Fall 2019).
I took MUSC 171 as a Personal Interest Credit designated for pass/fail grading. I am
in my final term of my BCom Honours degree and had a cumulative GPA of 3.86. Please
consider the following circumstances in my defence. I had a 76 average in MUSC
171 based on all of my term work. The final was an essay worth 35. I completed
the final essay 2 days before the due date, which can be shown as there were no
further edits past that date. I gravely regret not submitting it on the date I
completed it. I momentarily lost focus on the submission date due to a personal
breakup and family issues that occurred at that time. As soon as I realized I forgot
to submit it, which was twenty minutes past the deadline, I contacted my professor
immediately. Unfortunately, he said he could not accept it. I was completely
devastated, but at the time I thought I had enough to pass without it. Unfortunately
I later learned that I had 49.4, just short of a pass. I first noticed I received an F
when I returned to Queens. I was dealing with the loss of my grandma who passed
away December 21 and did not check my grades over the holidays. I emailed the
professor as soon as I found out to schedule a meeting. At first he agreed, but later
sent an email stating if this was regarding my grade he would not meet with me. I
subsequently met with an academic advisor at Smith School of Business who
suggested I again try to contact the professor. I contacted him and was again told
there was nothing he could do and it was up to me to appeal.
I would very much like the opportunity to have Professor Mackay read the final
essay I wrote and allow me to be regraded for MUSC 171. The impact of an F on my
transcript is serious especially if I apply to graduate studies in the future. I
understand the University has an academic reputation to uphold, but I understood
the material in the course and demonstrated that knowledge. It is so unfortunate
that a moment in time can jeopardize all that I have worked for up until this point. I
take pride in my work ethic and am distressed as this does not represent my true
character or ability.
Thank you for your consideration of my appeal.
Sincerely,
Peter Kachan