Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean

I am presently on maternity leave (returning to work in October at CAA South Central Ontario in Toronto) I paid for my first course up front (out of pocket) - my work would have reimbursed me for the initial course and continued to pay for the rest of my BA had I passed the exam. I worked extremely hard over the term (May 2015 to end of July 2015) in order to obtain an A average. I felt so incredibly proud to be not only a student enrolled at Queens University but to be doing exceptionally well no less (life long dream).

Our class had technical difficulties (QUEENS IT system went down) during our last assignment (nobody could work on it remotely for days). Faculty thankfully made the executive decision to give us an extra week to complete our last assignment and quiz. The extra week was needed and most appreciated, however there was no extra time given to study for a very involved/difficult exam. I have a baby at home which may seem irrelevant, however time management was key to my success throughout the course hence my A going into the exam. I fell short of time to study because of the technical difficulties Queens was experiencing (beyond my control). Everything that was due was pushed, all but the exam date¿time that would have been provided to study was used to complete the last assignment and quiz.

I was a little over a percent off from passing exam psych100. I went into the exam with an 83 percent and ended up a little over a percent off from passing the exam, which prompted an automatic fail even though my final mark was a 66 percent. I understand this is policy, regardless of what mark is obtained throughout the course, if a student fails the exam, they then fail the course. I¿¿m not looking to give excuses for my poor exam results but merely give an explanation to the fact that there were extenuating circumstances beyond my control. I feel had I been given proper tools (online access) and support (time that was initially set aside as per course design) I would have been more successful. My request (appeal) is to be given an opportunity to perhaps re-write the exam so that I can be permitted to continue on with my studies at Queens.

Steps I have taken:

I spoke with academic advisor on several occasions (David Youssef), he told me to ¿¿hold tight¿ while he was away the Assistant Dean messaged the professor about this as there were several students in my boat, which does not surprise me as the professors made the executive decision to change the exam pass ¿¿ they changed it from a 20 out of 40 to 18 out of 40 as the course average was exceptionally low, which indicates to me that I was not the only one affected due to the fact that the integrity of the course had been compromised. David said he¿¿d get back to me when he heard anything more.

He then told me to ask my professors for a pass first. If that isn¿¿t an option to then appeal my exam result ¿¿ ask for a re-mark¿so I did. My professors reviewed my exam ¿¿ told me my mark remains the same.

David then proceeded to tell me to apply for an aegrotat standing whereby I would get to keep the credit but not have the GPA count. In this case, it won¿¿t affect me being able to pursue further studies at Queen¿¿s ¿¿ so I am.

Next Steps:

Please advise if you require,

¿¿ All copies of communiqué (between professors and/or academic advisor (David Youssef) and myself.

¿¿ Copies of forum discussions - the announcement that the passing grade of psych100 has changed from 20 out of 40 to 18 out of 40 as a result of low average exam results.

¿¿ Copy of my exam

¿¿ Copy of all my assignments and quizzes (final mark 50/60 83)


I feel faculty members should present clearly the academic integrity policy within the online learning environment at the beginning of the course - how is it that it¿¿s not an issue for my peers who technically failed their exam get a pass but some do not yet if I want to be given the opportunity to re-write the exam at the very least I am denied

Thank-you in advance for your consideration,

Lia Kupchanko