Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Associate Dean (Academic),
I am writing to respectfully petition to defer my already-deferred final examinations for Winter 2026 in STAT 263, ECON 110B, MATH 110B, and MATH 120B.
During the Winter 2026 exam period, I experienced extenuating circumstances beyond my control that directly affected my ability to complete my final examinations. I originally deferred my final exams because I was dealing with a significant back problem, for which I sought medical attention and physiotherapy support. Around the same time, I was also involved in a serious conflict with a housemate. I was accused of stealing money, which I denied, and the situation escalated to the point where my landlord seized money from me and there were threats of police involvement. As an international student, this was especially distressing and high-stakes. The situation caused significant stress and anxiety, and it occurred at the same time that I was already physically limited by my back pain.
I did take steps to address these circumstances. I sought medical care for my back pain and was referred for physiotherapy. I also kept documentation of the conflict with my housemate, including screenshots of the conversation, because the situation had become serious and directly affected my ability to focus on my academic responsibilities. Based on these circumstances, I was granted deferred exams.

My deferred examinations were then scheduled for May 20, May 21, and May 22, 2026. Unfortunately, immediately before and during this deferred exam period, I experienced a severe recurrence of acid reflux/GERD symptoms, a medical issue I have dealt with before. These symptoms were serious enough that I sought medical care again. I was prescribed medication, and one physician ordered further testing related to my GERD symptoms. I also received a medical certificate confirming that I was assessed on May 21, 2026 and required absence from school from May 20 to May 22, 2026, which directly overlaps with my deferred examination dates.

This medical issue was unexpected and occurred precisely during the deferred exam window. I had fully intended to write my exams in May and was preparing to do so, but my GERD symptoms became severe during the same dates my exams were scheduled. Since all four courses depended on final examinations, this directly prevented me from being able to complete them under fair conditions. I understand that requesting a further deferral is serious, but the timing of this documented medical episode left me unable to write the exams as scheduled.

I am including supporting documentation with this petition, including medical documentation for my back problem and physiotherapy referral, screenshots related to the housemate conflict, prescriptions and medical documentation from my GERD recurrence in May 2026, documentation of medical testing ordered for GERD symptoms, and a doctor’s note covering absence from school from May 20 to May 22, 2026. I will also submit my prior medical records, including previous prescriptions and endoscopy reports, to show that this GERD issue is a documented recurring medical condition rather than a new or unsupported claim.

Since then, I have taken steps to manage the issue responsibly by seeking medical care, receiving medication, and following through with the recommended testing. If this petition is granted, I am prepared and committed to writing the deferred examinations in the next approved exam period. My goal is not to delay completion further, but to complete these courses properly and demonstrate my actual academic ability once the documented medical barrier has passed.

I am deeply concerned that, if this petition is not granted, the resulting academic consequences would not reflect my true ability or effort in these courses. The circumstances I experienced were serious, unexpected, and concentrated around the exact period in which I was required to write my exams. Poor or incomplete final exam outcomes in these courses would have a lasting effect on my transcript and could create barriers to my academic goals in the near future. I am asking for the opportunity to be assessed under conditions where my performance can fairly reflect my capabilities, rather than the temporary but severe circumstances that prevented me from writing during the scheduled exam period.

For these reasons, I respectfully request permission to defer my already-deferred final examinations in STAT 263, ECON 110B, MATH 110B, and MATH 120B. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Gurkaran Veer Singh
Student Number: 20332800
Email: 21gvs@queensu.ca