Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

My name is Veronica Brown, and I am writing to you to appeal the grades I received during the Summer 2017 academic term with relation to two courses: DEVS 100 and LAW 204, and furthermore request a position of aegrotat standing with respect to same.

First and foremost, I would like to inform you that I am a student who has been identified gifted, in addition to having both a Non-Verbal Learning Disability and Attention Deficit Disorder (I have attached my psycho-educational assessment herein for your review.) Though there any many things I can do well, my disabilities affect my time management, organization, fine motor skills, and attention span - amongst many other things - meaning that though I may have all of the information in my brain, it is sometimes challenging to get it out (such as during an exam.) Thus, to say that these conditions affected me at the time of the exams would be a colossal understatement, as they have affected me each day of my life since being diagnosed as an early adolescent.

Although I have faced many obstacles in my life as a result of my diagnoses (especially within the academic sphere) I have been able to overcome these challenges, and find success by utilizing various strategies and accessing an array of accommodations, as recommended to me in my psycho-educational assessment. While some accommodations have proven more successful than others, one that has been imperative to my academic success is the use of accommodations when writing an exam - including writing in a small group/isolated setting, using a computer, and receiving extra time. Unfortunately, due to either human nature, an act of God, or general misfortune on my part, these accommodations were not available to me at the time of my exams, and thus, I was unable to write them, leaving me with 2 grades that do not reflect my capabilities, nor my efforts leading up to the exams. I wish to confirm that I received written consent from both professors in advance of postponing my exams, and that they were both understanding of the extenuating circumstances I faced.

In addition to this, my mid-term exam grade for DEVS 100 was never uploaded to OnQ, which Professor Kumar informed me was an oversight in an email dated July 6, 2017 (attached herein), however the absence of this grade has additionally negatively affected my mark, and I am hopeful that should I be granted aegrotat standing, this mark can be filled in as to better reflect my work throughout the duration of the course.

I consider myself to be a bright, capable, and hardworking student (something which I believe can be gleaned by looking at my previous marks at Queen¿¿s, as well as the grades received on the course work that was completed on DEVS 100 and LAW 204 prior to the exams), however I cannot stress highly enough how utterly indispensable these accommodations and resources are to me during an exam. To me, an extra hour or the use of a computer is akin to someone with an injured leg being able to use a cane - it allows me to compensate for my weaknesses, and hoist myself to a level in which I am not as heavily burdened by deficits or shortcomings. Though I still face challenges, even with my accommodations, they are diminished greatly - allowing me to succeed and thrive - whether vocationally, academically, or personally.

The F that presently glares at me next to DEVS 100 (and the lack of grade I have received for Law 204) have become metaphorical thorns in my side, as I look to continue my academic career. I am a young woman who works full time at a law firm, has accomplished many wonderful things in her life, and capable of great things academically, however these marks are not a reflection of that.

I ask that you please consider granting me an aegrotat standing position within these courses, so that my marks can reflect the work that I have completed, in spite of my disabilities, and not the exams that were missed because of them. I have greatly enjoyed my time studying at Queen's, and with to continue it in the near future.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours very truly,

Veronica Brown