Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally petition for a late drop from the course FREN 241, which I was enrolled in during the Fall 2023 semester. This request is made with considerable thought and reflection on the circumstances that prompted my request, and I wish to provide an account of my situation for your consideration.

My decision to enroll in FREN 241 was motivated by my aspiration to pursue a minor in French, a goal I have been committed to over the course of my studies. However, despite my determination, I encountered obstacles that have impeded my ability to succeed in this course.

One of the difficulties, and perhaps the most challenging, that I have faced was the absence of an OnQ page for the course. The lack of a centralized platform for course materials and notes made studying and preparing for tests particularly challenging. This fundamental issue made it problematic to keep up with lecture notes and course content – directly impacting my performance on tests as I could not review the material presented by the professor and had to rely on my own notes.

The grading structure of FREN 241 further contributed to my academic performance and inability to gain any ground on my marks. The course was assessed through four tests, each contributing 25% to the final grade. This grading scheme makes it much more difficult to obtain a solid overall grade if one performs poorly on any test. My struggles began with the first test on September 21, 2023. Despite my preparation and my work ethics, I did not do well on the test. After receiving my mark, I knew I needed to alter my study methods. In an effort to improve my understanding and performance, I began recording lectures and attempting to transcribe and translate them using my own knowledge and using Google Translate when necessary. This method was far from perfect; it often misinterpreted the professor’s speech and picked up more on my own typing than the actual content. Although I was doing the best I could, using technology to assist me, the quality of my notes remained compromised, and my comprehension of the material did not improve. Coupled with the lack of the OnQ page, I was falling behind and unable to make up any ground.

The results of the second test on October 19, 2023, further reflected my struggle. I received a score of 24%, which was significantly lower than I had hoped. This score, coupled with my continued difficulties, led to a pattern of sub-par grades on subsequent tests. Realizing that I was at risk of failing the course, I sought guidance from an Academic Advisor. I was informed of two potential pathways: retaking the course or enrolling in a different elective to replace the credit.

I intended to retake FREN 241 with the continued support of a French tutor. However, I learned that the course code has changed to FREN 341, which, being equivalent in content, will not replace the grade from FREN 241 and the grade from FREN 241 will continue to adversely affect my GPA, according to the Academic Advisor I consulted this summer.

Given these circumstances, I respectfully request a late drop from FREN 241. My goal is to avoid the detrimental impact this course may have on my overall GPA, which is crucial for my future post secondary academic and professional aspirations, as I am in my last year of studies here at Queens. I hope you will consider my petition favorably, taking into account the genuine efforts I have made to succeed in the course both while I was enrolled and the planning and assistance I had arranged to help me succeed in the future class, had it been able to replace the grade.

Thank you for your time and understanding. I look forward to your response to my petition.

Ava Harricharran