Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 14542
Submitted: July 5, 2026 at 9:56:10 AM
First Name: Ziyan
Last Name: Zhou
Pronoun: She/Her
Student Number: 20406718
Email: 22bj53@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BCH
Plan: COMA
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request an extension of an exam deferral
Code: CISC 203
Term: Fall
Year: 2025
Petition Category: Request an extension of an exam deferral
Instructor's Name: Kai Salomaa
Section/Class Number: 2671
Component: Final Exam
Code: GEOL 200
Term: Fall
Year: 2025
Petition Category: Request an extension of an exam deferral
Instructor's Name: David McLagan
Section/Class Number: 2339
Component: Final Exam
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I am writing to respectfully request approval for an exam deferral for the following Fall 2025 courses: CISC 203 and GEOL 200.
I hope this letter provides a clear explanation of the circumstances that cause me unable to complete my examination during both the scheduled examination period and the subsequent deferred examination period, as well as the reasons for the delay in submitting this petition.
Health-Related Circumstances:
During the December 2025 examination period, I experienced significant difficulties related to mental health condition for which I’m registered with Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS). Because of these circumstances, I was unable to attend my scheduled final examination and was subsequently granted permission to write the examination during the January 2026 deferred examination period.
During the Christmas break, my condition gradually began to improve. However, after returning at the beginning of the Winter 2026 term, I found that my symptoms became difficult to manage again. As a result, I remained unable to write the deferred examination in January. Following the missed deferred examination, my grade was recorded as an Incomplete (IN).
Delay in Submitting My Petition:
After receiving the IN grade, I continued managing the academic requirements for the Winter 2026 semester while also focusing on my mental health and recovery with the assistance of my QSAS advisor. Although I understood that I needed to address my outstanding examination, I could not prepare the required documentation or complete the petition process during that period due to my health condition.
Once the Winter term ended in May 2026 and my academic workload was significantly reduced, my health condition has stabilized. I was able to organize the necessary documentation and proceed with this petition.
I sincerely apologize for being unable to submit my petition sooner and I greatly appreciate the Board's consideration of the circumstances that contributed to this delay.
Detailed Timeline:
1. December 14, December 19, 2025 – Final Examination for CISC 203 and GEOL 200
During the December examination period, I experienced significant difficulties related to my documented mental health condition, which prevented me from attending my scheduled final examinations.
2. December 16–17, 2025
I communicated with my QSAS advisor regarding the impact of my condition and my academic accommodation. These communications are part of the supporting documentation for this petition.
3. Before December 20, 2025
Following my missed final examinations, I was granted permission to write deferred examinations during the January 2026 deferred examination period.
4. Late December 2025 – Christmas Break
During the Christmas break, my mental health gradually began to improve.
5. January 2026 – Beginning of the Winter Term
After returning to school at the beginning of the Winter term, I found that my symptoms became difficult to manage again. Consequently, I remained unable to complete my deferred examinations during the January deferred examination period.
6. January 11–29, 2026
I remained in communication with my QSAS advisor to discuss my academic appeals and the ongoing impact of my condition. These communications are part of the supporting documentation for this petition.
7. January–April 2026
Throughout the Winter semester, I continued managing my coursework while focusing on my mental health and recovery. Although I understood that I needed to address my outstanding academic matters, I could not prepare the required documentation or complete the petition process during this period.
8. May 2026 Onward
After the Winter term ended and my academic workload was reduced, my condition gradually improved. This allowed me to focus on my recovery and prepare the documentation necessary to submit these academic petitions.
Supporting Documentation
I have included relevant correspondence with my QSAS advisor as supporting documentation. These communications demonstrate the timeline of my circumstances and my continued engagement with QSAS regarding my accommodations.
My QSAS advisor has also confirmed that she is prepared to provide further information to the Board of Studies if it is requested.
Request
My mental health has improved significantly since the end of the Winter term, and I am now feeling confident to complete my outstanding academic requirements. I remain committed to my studies and respectfully request the opportunity to complete my deferred examination for the CISC 203 and GEOL 200.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to have my petition reviewed.
I hope this letter provides a clear explanation of the circumstances that cause me unable to complete my examination during both the scheduled examination period and the subsequent deferred examination period, as well as the reasons for the delay in submitting this petition.
Health-Related Circumstances:
During the December 2025 examination period, I experienced significant difficulties related to mental health condition for which I’m registered with Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS). Because of these circumstances, I was unable to attend my scheduled final examination and was subsequently granted permission to write the examination during the January 2026 deferred examination period.
During the Christmas break, my condition gradually began to improve. However, after returning at the beginning of the Winter 2026 term, I found that my symptoms became difficult to manage again. As a result, I remained unable to write the deferred examination in January. Following the missed deferred examination, my grade was recorded as an Incomplete (IN).
Delay in Submitting My Petition:
After receiving the IN grade, I continued managing the academic requirements for the Winter 2026 semester while also focusing on my mental health and recovery with the assistance of my QSAS advisor. Although I understood that I needed to address my outstanding examination, I could not prepare the required documentation or complete the petition process during that period due to my health condition.
Once the Winter term ended in May 2026 and my academic workload was significantly reduced, my health condition has stabilized. I was able to organize the necessary documentation and proceed with this petition.
I sincerely apologize for being unable to submit my petition sooner and I greatly appreciate the Board's consideration of the circumstances that contributed to this delay.
Detailed Timeline:
1. December 14, December 19, 2025 – Final Examination for CISC 203 and GEOL 200
During the December examination period, I experienced significant difficulties related to my documented mental health condition, which prevented me from attending my scheduled final examinations.
2. December 16–17, 2025
I communicated with my QSAS advisor regarding the impact of my condition and my academic accommodation. These communications are part of the supporting documentation for this petition.
3. Before December 20, 2025
Following my missed final examinations, I was granted permission to write deferred examinations during the January 2026 deferred examination period.
4. Late December 2025 – Christmas Break
During the Christmas break, my mental health gradually began to improve.
5. January 2026 – Beginning of the Winter Term
After returning to school at the beginning of the Winter term, I found that my symptoms became difficult to manage again. Consequently, I remained unable to complete my deferred examinations during the January deferred examination period.
6. January 11–29, 2026
I remained in communication with my QSAS advisor to discuss my academic appeals and the ongoing impact of my condition. These communications are part of the supporting documentation for this petition.
7. January–April 2026
Throughout the Winter semester, I continued managing my coursework while focusing on my mental health and recovery. Although I understood that I needed to address my outstanding academic matters, I could not prepare the required documentation or complete the petition process during this period.
8. May 2026 Onward
After the Winter term ended and my academic workload was reduced, my condition gradually improved. This allowed me to focus on my recovery and prepare the documentation necessary to submit these academic petitions.
Supporting Documentation
I have included relevant correspondence with my QSAS advisor as supporting documentation. These communications demonstrate the timeline of my circumstances and my continued engagement with QSAS regarding my accommodations.
My QSAS advisor has also confirmed that she is prepared to provide further information to the Board of Studies if it is requested.
Request
My mental health has improved significantly since the end of the Winter term, and I am now feeling confident to complete my outstanding academic requirements. I remain committed to my studies and respectfully request the opportunity to complete my deferred examination for the CISC 203 and GEOL 200.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to have my petition reviewed.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: I uploaded my conversation with QSAS advisor under the next documentation section
Document: Appendix1-Dec16-17.pdf
Document: Appendix2-Jan11-15.pdf
Document: Appendix3-Jan20-25.pdf