Petition Letter
Dear Dr. Jill Atkinson,
Regarding: FAILED COURSE - CHEM 223 - Winter 2022
I have recently finished my second year in a combined program of Chemistry (B.Sc.) and Education (Intermediate/Senior). On January 23 of this year I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes (insulin dependent) and Graves?? Disease (hyperthyroidism with racing heart). I have had some complications that required a follow-up with a cardiologist and balancing of medications. At the time of diagnosis, I had to be hospitalized. Since diagnosis, I have had follow-up appointments that required in-person visits in Toronto.
We were learning remotely in January, so I could continue my studies, and required only minor accommodations which included the postponement of one midterm. The midterm was for CHEM 223 ??Organic Reactions?. As it was one week after diagnosis, I wasn??t at my best. My mark was 5.05/10.
The second midterm, on the 7th of March, was a few days after I returned to school. It was the first time that I had to balance insulin on my own and that was challenging. That midterm was 8/38.
My tutorials mark was 7.67/10 and my lab mark was 21/25.
In this course, 50% of my grade was the final exam. I continued to have challenges with blood glucose levels. High blood glucose levels made me foggy on that day.
The reason that I am writing this request for an appeal is because my final grade in the course is an F. I am well-aware that this is not due to anything that happened on the part of the professor or the university, as accommodations were provided in exams. As the whole class did poorly on midterm 2, the value of that midterm was changed to only 5% and the other 15% was added to the final exam, making it worth 50%.
I strongly believe that my achievement in this course suffered due to the concurrent timing of midterms, exams, and challenges with my illness. I am writing to see if anything could be done to assess my understanding in terms of assignments or additional exams.
I know that it is unlikely that you will be able to help with this request; but any special consideration would be deeply appreciated.
This course is a prerequisite for courses I need to take in 2022/2023. I have found no way to take this course again in the summer either at Queen??s or at another Canadian University.
I am very grateful for any consideration of this request. Thank you for taking the time to learn about my circumstances. Whatever the decision, I appreciate the time it takes to consider my request. I am grateful for my experience at Queen??s.
This is my first and only appeal.
I have a summer to learn more about living with two auto-immune diseases. Also, I will soon have an insulin pump which will help with keeping glucose levels in range. Grave??s disease thyroid levels should also even out over the summer.
Sincerely,
Grace van den Heuvel
20204141
Regarding: FAILED COURSE - CHEM 223 - Winter 2022
I have recently finished my second year in a combined program of Chemistry (B.Sc.) and Education (Intermediate/Senior). On January 23 of this year I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes (insulin dependent) and Graves?? Disease (hyperthyroidism with racing heart). I have had some complications that required a follow-up with a cardiologist and balancing of medications. At the time of diagnosis, I had to be hospitalized. Since diagnosis, I have had follow-up appointments that required in-person visits in Toronto.
We were learning remotely in January, so I could continue my studies, and required only minor accommodations which included the postponement of one midterm. The midterm was for CHEM 223 ??Organic Reactions?. As it was one week after diagnosis, I wasn??t at my best. My mark was 5.05/10.
The second midterm, on the 7th of March, was a few days after I returned to school. It was the first time that I had to balance insulin on my own and that was challenging. That midterm was 8/38.
My tutorials mark was 7.67/10 and my lab mark was 21/25.
In this course, 50% of my grade was the final exam. I continued to have challenges with blood glucose levels. High blood glucose levels made me foggy on that day.
The reason that I am writing this request for an appeal is because my final grade in the course is an F. I am well-aware that this is not due to anything that happened on the part of the professor or the university, as accommodations were provided in exams. As the whole class did poorly on midterm 2, the value of that midterm was changed to only 5% and the other 15% was added to the final exam, making it worth 50%.
I strongly believe that my achievement in this course suffered due to the concurrent timing of midterms, exams, and challenges with my illness. I am writing to see if anything could be done to assess my understanding in terms of assignments or additional exams.
I know that it is unlikely that you will be able to help with this request; but any special consideration would be deeply appreciated.
This course is a prerequisite for courses I need to take in 2022/2023. I have found no way to take this course again in the summer either at Queen??s or at another Canadian University.
I am very grateful for any consideration of this request. Thank you for taking the time to learn about my circumstances. Whatever the decision, I appreciate the time it takes to consider my request. I am grateful for my experience at Queen??s.
This is my first and only appeal.
I have a summer to learn more about living with two auto-immune diseases. Also, I will soon have an insulin pump which will help with keeping glucose levels in range. Grave??s disease thyroid levels should also even out over the summer.
Sincerely,
Grace van den Heuvel
20204141