Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 13253
Submitted: May 28, 2025 at 8:46:31 PM
First Name: Sarah
Last Name: Croxon
Pronoun: She/her
Preferred Name: Sarah
Student Number: 20477819
Email: 23byx2@queensu.ca
Degree Program: Concurrent Education
Plan: Arts
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: PSYC 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2025
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Meghan Norris
Section/Class Number: 100
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,
My name is Sarah Croxon, and I have just completed my first year in the Concurrent Education and arts and science program at Queen’s University. I am writing to submit a time-sensitive request - as major and minor plan selection begins on Monday, June 2nd, for my PSYC100 grade to be changed to a Credit Standing due to a combination of extenuating circumstances and systemic barriers that have significantly impacted my academic performance in this course.
This past year has been uniquely challenging. As a registered QSAS student, I worked closely with my advisor, Ellen Babb, to implement accommodations that would allow me to succeed academically. However, my accommodation plan was not fully in place until November 2024 - far too late to meaningfully support my preparation for the PSYC100 December midterm. Accommodations critical to my success - such as assignment extensions, the ability to record lectures, and access to pre-written notes - were not available to me during this crucial time, putting me at a significant disadvantage.
Despite this rocky start, I approached the second semester with renewed determination. I consistently attended all of my labs, submitted all required assignments on time, hired a tutor, and made every effort to improve my performance. Unfortunately, just as I was gaining confidence in the course, the PSAC strike in early March caused all lectures and labs to be cancelled. With no formal instruction and limited support, textbook readings became the sole method of learning. This abrupt disruption severely hindered my ability to absorb the material. Compounded by a decline in my physical and mental health - as my disability symptoms worsened - the final exam was especially difficult. Although I passed the course, I earned a D-, which does not reflect my true academic potential.
This grade has had a disproportionate impact on my GPA and is the primary reason I am currently ineligible to declare Health Studies as my major - a program I am deeply passionate about and fully capable of succeeding in. All of my other grades this year have been respectable, and this one outlier does not accurately reflect my ability or effort.
A change in my PSYC100 grade to Credit Standing would significantly improve my GPA and allow me to move forward on a path that aligns with both my academic goals and future career aspirations. I do not believe that a single class - particularly one I will not be taking again, should prevent me from pursuing the major I am committed to and qualified for.
In light of the delayed implementation of my accommodations, the disruption caused by the PSAC strike, and the resulting impact on both my learning and well-being, I believe a change to Credit Standing for PSYC100 is a fair and reasonable request. This course grade is not representative of my abilities or the effort I put into my first year, and it is currently the sole barrier preventing me from pursuing my intended major. This request is about correcting the impact of circumstances beyond my control so that one course, taken under exceptionally difficult conditions, does not derail my academic goals. I am committed, capable, and determined to succeed in Health Studies, and I sincerely hope the university will support me in taking the next step toward that future.
I respectfully urge the university to consider this request. As I mentioned above, this request is extremely time sensitive, I look forward to hearing back from you as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and understanding.
Sincerely,
Sarah Croxon
Student ID: 20477819
My name is Sarah Croxon, and I have just completed my first year in the Concurrent Education and arts and science program at Queen’s University. I am writing to submit a time-sensitive request - as major and minor plan selection begins on Monday, June 2nd, for my PSYC100 grade to be changed to a Credit Standing due to a combination of extenuating circumstances and systemic barriers that have significantly impacted my academic performance in this course.
This past year has been uniquely challenging. As a registered QSAS student, I worked closely with my advisor, Ellen Babb, to implement accommodations that would allow me to succeed academically. However, my accommodation plan was not fully in place until November 2024 - far too late to meaningfully support my preparation for the PSYC100 December midterm. Accommodations critical to my success - such as assignment extensions, the ability to record lectures, and access to pre-written notes - were not available to me during this crucial time, putting me at a significant disadvantage.
Despite this rocky start, I approached the second semester with renewed determination. I consistently attended all of my labs, submitted all required assignments on time, hired a tutor, and made every effort to improve my performance. Unfortunately, just as I was gaining confidence in the course, the PSAC strike in early March caused all lectures and labs to be cancelled. With no formal instruction and limited support, textbook readings became the sole method of learning. This abrupt disruption severely hindered my ability to absorb the material. Compounded by a decline in my physical and mental health - as my disability symptoms worsened - the final exam was especially difficult. Although I passed the course, I earned a D-, which does not reflect my true academic potential.
This grade has had a disproportionate impact on my GPA and is the primary reason I am currently ineligible to declare Health Studies as my major - a program I am deeply passionate about and fully capable of succeeding in. All of my other grades this year have been respectable, and this one outlier does not accurately reflect my ability or effort.
A change in my PSYC100 grade to Credit Standing would significantly improve my GPA and allow me to move forward on a path that aligns with both my academic goals and future career aspirations. I do not believe that a single class - particularly one I will not be taking again, should prevent me from pursuing the major I am committed to and qualified for.
In light of the delayed implementation of my accommodations, the disruption caused by the PSAC strike, and the resulting impact on both my learning and well-being, I believe a change to Credit Standing for PSYC100 is a fair and reasonable request. This course grade is not representative of my abilities or the effort I put into my first year, and it is currently the sole barrier preventing me from pursuing my intended major. This request is about correcting the impact of circumstances beyond my control so that one course, taken under exceptionally difficult conditions, does not derail my academic goals. I am committed, capable, and determined to succeed in Health Studies, and I sincerely hope the university will support me in taking the next step toward that future.
I respectfully urge the university to consider this request. As I mentioned above, this request is extremely time sensitive, I look forward to hearing back from you as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and understanding.
Sincerely,
Sarah Croxon
Student ID: 20477819
Document: S Croxon letter 20477819.pdf
Document: Sick Kids letter 20477819.pdf