Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

My name is Matt, and I am in my last year of the Life Sciences program. I am writing to you because I have had ongoing medical issues that have impaired my ability to succeed in my program. I suffered multiple concussions, and the post-concussion symptoms are still very prevalent most days. I am writing this letter because I have met with Spring Forsberg and we have decided that there should be some adjustments made to my transcript because they do not accurately reflect my capability, nor the effort I have put into the courses. I am asking that you change my grade of D- to CR in STAT 263. I addition to this, I am asking you that you, please give me an extension to complete CHEM 281 as I was not able to complete it during the summer and only realized recently via email from the Chemistry department that I would have to complete it by December 31st of this year. Regarding this current semester, I am also worried about two courses. Although I do not know my grades yet I am proactively seeking that you change my grade in BCHM 315 and MICR 360 to CR.

The extenuating circumstance as to why I am making these requests is due to the concussion issues I have been suffering. Concerning STAT 263 are do not believe a D- accurately reflects my academic ability. I have always been quite good at Math based courses, and I had put a lot of effort into STAT 263. I got close to perfect on the midterm and did averagely well on all the assignments, but the final gave me problems due to how my head was allowing me to perform that day. I did not feel well and was not able to adequately recall the pieces of information I needed to succeed.

Secondly, and more simply, I am asking that I get an extension for CHEM 281. I could not complete it in the summer, so my grade changed to incomplete on Solus. At the beginning of the semester, I had the intentions on completing the course sometime before I graduate in April 2017. The Life Sciences office knew this, and I was enrolled in CHEM 282 that will be starting in January. It was a couple of weeks before the exam period that the Chemistry Department office notified me and told me I had to complete the course by December 31st. With this being said and taking the fact of my medical condition into consideration there was no way I could complete this. I already had a full course load and the addition of needing to write another exam was not possible. As you probably know CHEM 281 is a core course that I need to graduate, and it will not be offered again until next year, so I need this extension.

Third, ongoing concussion symptoms proceeded into this semester as well. Because of this, I am worried about two of my courses from this semester. I know you are probably wondering why these two, but it is just because of how I felt on the days I was evaluated via midterms for these courses. BCHM 315 and MICR 360 were two courses that I put much effort into but due to my medical condition could get the proper results that reflect my ability. Although I do not know my grades in these courses, I am confident I at least passed them. Aside from passing there is no way I could have possible done well enough in these courses to reflect my ability.

I hope you take these requests into consideration as I am currently being affected by a medical condition that is out of my control. I have the motivation and determination to succeed
and overcome this, and all I am asking is that the Arts and Science office can do their part to help me out. Regarding documentation, there should already be a letter from Dr. O¿¿Connor that highlights how my concussions affect my ability to show my real potential. I know this letter is from last year but in combination with the current documentation from this semester that states that I have a moderate cognitive impairment that is continuous I believe it should suffice. I could get another letter from him if need be but I will say the same thing as the first one just with a newer date. This appeal is a time-sensitive process for me as I am applying to the Neuroscience Grad program at Queen¿¿s and I would like to have my transcript resolved as soon as possible in the new year. I have already found potential supervisors that are willing to take me on as their graduate student, and I want to be able to meet with them again in early January and show them a transcript that is indicative of my ability. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope from this letter you can see that I am a motivated and determined student, who is passionate about my studies but is being held back by a medical condition that is out of my control.

Sincerely and thankful in advance,
Matthew Demmings 10122081