Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am writing to respectfully petition for an extension of the incomplete grade I currently hold in CHEM 211 (Fall 2024). Specifically, I am requesting permission to write the deferred final exam during the scheduled May 2025 deferred exam period, as I was unable to write the originally scheduled deferred exam on January 18th due to significant extenuating medical circumstances.

The original deferred final exam was scheduled for January 18th. However, I was unable to write it due to a severe case of pneumonia, which left me bedridden for approximately two weeks. During this time, I was completely unable to attend classes, seek medical attention promptly, or keep up with any schoolwork—including writing the CHEM 211 final exam. In the second week of my illness, I was finally able to visit the Kingston General Hospital (KGH) Emergency Room, where I waited over seven hours to be seen. After a chest X-ray, I was diagnosed with severe pneumonia in both lungs and prescribed a course of antibiotics.

However, I was unable to obtain a doctor’s note from the hospital; the attending physician informed me that Queen’s had advised against issuing medical notes to students, as the university no longer accepts documentation from KGH. I then consulted a doctor at CDK Clinic, who was not my diagnosing physician and could not access my medical records, but wrote a limited note confirming I was ill for at least one week. This partial note granted me long-term consideration for one week only, though I was fully incapacitated for closer to two.

Unfortunately, I experienced an allergic reaction to the antibiotics, resulting in hives across my body, for which I received additional treatment on February 4th. These complications severely disrupted my ability to resume academic activities in a timely manner and caused a cascade of academic delays during the Winter term. I did not drop the course earlier as I was initially hoping to complete the deferred exam during the winter term once I recovered, but my medical condition made that impossible.

Since recovering, I have been working hard to catch up on my current courses while managing the aftermath of my illness. The disruption caused by the ongoing PSAC strike has further complicated course delivery; some courses have replaced assignments with presentations, which are now due in the coming week (specifically in BCHM 313 and BCHM 318). Additionally, I have a compressed and demanding April exam schedule, including:

- BCHM 316 – April 8th

- CHEM 222 & CHEM 282 – April 9th (same day)

- BCHM 313 – April 19th

Due to this intense workload, I do not believe I can prepare adequately or fairly attempt the CHEM 211 final before the end of the Winter term. I am therefore requesting to write the exam in May, during the standard deferred exam period, when I will have the time and capacity to prepare effectively and complete the course requirements.

Going forward, I am taking all necessary steps to ensure academic success, including staying in regular contact with my instructors, planning ahead to manage workloads, and accessing health care promptly when needed. I am now in good health and ready to complete this outstanding requirement if granted the extension.
Thank you very much for considering my petition.

Sincerely,
Fady Salib
20356692
21fes3@queensu.ca