Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing to request an appeal of a credit standing for the following courses Comm151(winter, 2016) and Econ 222(Fall,2016) due to the extenuating circumstance of an undiagnosed learning disabilities.

My first academic year at queen¿¿s was a struggle.¿¿I entered university during a horrific year of my life in which my grandfather passed away, my grandmother was killed, and I was continuing to feel the effects of a concussion.¿¿

Although I had hoped to recover quickly,
It wasn't until after the first semester of second year that a doctor discovered that I suffered from a learning disability that had been masked and had gone undiagnosed.

With this diagnosis, I could finally understand what was required to be addressed. I immediately reached out to QSAS and SASS, as well as other external resources for assistance. We built a plan to accommodate the challenge of my learning disabilities. I was provided with tools and strategies to effectively study while understanding the challenges of my disability. I was provided with lecture notes to augment the missing pieces in my own note taking process, and, was granted additional time allotment for tests and examinations. The results were immediate and I was able to achieve and demonstrate the learning objectives of the courses. My exam scores in each case were higher than my grades going in to the exam.¿¿¿

As an example, in the first semester of second year I had failed the course Econ 212, a course in which every assessment was test based.¿¿After retaking Econ 212 this past semester I completed the course with a C grade.¿¿The grade shows an improvement even though I was only able to utilize the tools I had garnered over the last few weeks of the semester.¿¿

I am seeking to change the grades of Comm151(winter, 2016) and Econ 222(Fall,2016) from their current grade to a credit standing. It is my position that had I been diagnosed earlier and provided with accommodation, my GPA would be substantially greater and more reflective of my academic potential.

My objective is to be considered as a full time student as soon as possible. I have yet to fall under the 1.6 GPA threshold but my goal is to eclipse the 1.9 GPA threshold is very close. By appealing these grades it would bring me near to 1.9 GPA (approximately .1 GPA point away from the requirement if not rounded) I trust you understand how disappointing I feel that the diagnosis had come so late in my life. I am confident that with these accommodations I will excel in all courses going forward which will give me greater depth and enjoyment in my courses and university experience, as well as build my confidence for the future.¿¿With this in mind, I would kindly request that you consider my appeal in order that I reach my current goal of being a full time status.