Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am a second-year Arts & Sciences student, majoring in Psychology. For the past year, I have been dealing with a physical illness that has significantly impacted my studies. As evidenced by my transcript from First year, I am a diligent student with good grades. This past Fall semester, my illness got significantly worse. The impact of my illness on my ability to study, and even to attend classes, had me so far behind that despite my efforts, I was unable to catch up and properly achieve the grades that fully reflect my capabilities. I am, therefore, appealing the following:
¿¿ Introduction to Pharmacology (online): Drop course (past deadline)
¿¿ Developmental Psychology : Grade C- Get credit standing
¿¿ Introduction to Statistics: Grade C- Get credit standing
The extenuating circumstances that have affected my academic performance stem from a physical illness. Last year, starting in September I began to have gastro intestinal problems that had me seeking help throughout the year from a specialist in Toronto. While it was challenging, I did manage to navigate the year and achieve the grades that I had hoped for. This Fall term however, my illness took a turn for the worse. I was not only experiencing the stomach pain, bloating and lack of appetite that I had become used to ¿¿ I unfortunately was unable to even eat most days and was suffering from extreme nausea and migraines. Additionally, I was weak with extreme fatigue and intense muscle pain in my arms and legs, preventing me from getting out of bed on several occasions. Due to the situation, I was unable to attend multiple classes and could not concentrate properly so that it became extremely difficult to keep up with the reading. In order to try to solve my health, my mother scheduled appointments with more specialists in Toronto ¿¿ therefore I also had to miss a full week of classes coming to Toronto to take tests and see two specialists ¿¿ Dr. Shapiro (2nd Opinion Gastroenterology) & Dr Slaughter, Internal Medicine Specialist at Sunnybrook (timing of w/o November 1st).
My illness peaked in October and November. I had started to experience a bit of relief from some of my symptoms during the month of December so I tried to do my best to take my exams. I did however need to pace them out which is why I had to delay my Stats exam. Details that affect specific courses:

1) Pharmacology: Drop Course past deadline
I was supposed to write the mid-term on October 18th but I was very ill at the time and already 3 weeks behind. I met with the Prof and we moved the mid-term until November 12th. I was not sure if I was going to drop the course, but I missed the deadline because that was the week I was home in Toronto meeting with Specialists and was quite unwell. I came back to school and realized I needed to drop the course. I met with Academic Advisor and was told to appeal to drop but to wait until the end of the Semester to include all appeals together.

2) Development Psychology: Appeal for Credit Standing
The demands of this course were particularly challenging for me with my illness. There were weekly online quizzes which I was often unable to complete, or did poorly as I had fallen behind on the readings. The mid-term was right after reading week, which was a time when I was extremely unwell and then off to Toronto seeing two different specialists for help. I believe that I did poorly on the exam, despite my best efforts because I unfortunately missed the majority of the lectures and was unable to catch up on all of the material.

3) Introduction to Statistics: Appeal for Credit Standing
Introduction to Statistics was a very challenging course that was especially difficult to manage with my Illness. This course also had weekly quizzes, which once my health declined drastically in October I was often unable to complete the quizzes or did very poorly. I was able to achieve a good grade on our first term test (80) but by the second term test in mid November I had fallen so far behind and was so sick that I failed the test. During my final exams in December I had experienced some relief from my symptoms and felt as thought I could write the majority of my exams. Having statistics however was too much for me and I was advised by an academic advisor to defer the exam until January if I was not prepared. Currently Solus has imputed my grade as an F because of this, however I have just received my grade back and received a final mark of C- in the course. I feel that despite the extra time I was given to write the exam my grade had already been significantly impacted by the quizzes and other evaluations in the course throughout the semester and that this course as a whole was severely impacted by my health problems.

4) Social Psychology:
The mid-term was the Monday after my appointments in Toronto. That was a peak period for my illness. That day I was once again really sick, in a lot of discomfort with a migraine and was unable to eat. Not only was I not fully prepared, I was not able to properly concentrate. I did terribly on the mid-term (48), however for the rest of the evaluations I was granted an extention and did well on the two debate papers (80 and 86). On the final, I pushed myself to study really hard and I got a 75. I ended the course with a C, because I have been advised to not ask for credit standing for a grade of C or higher I will not be appealing this course.

5) Introduction to International Relations:
I am not appealing my Politics grade. The only evaluation during the semester was an essay and I was able to secure an extension, which allowed me to be able to complete it. The exam worth 50 was during December when I was feeling a bit better, so I am satisfied with my grade in this course.

In terms of moving forward, I have been meeting with Natasha Degroot since October of last semester, one of the occupational therapists at Student wellness, who has advised me to file for long term accommodations with QSAS. I received supporting documentation from my Gastroentorologist on Friday and have submitted the documentation. I will continue to stay connected with Natasha throughout this semester. My health has seen some improvement since November and my symptoms have become more manageable. As of Friday I am on a new medication, which I am hoping will help. I am currently enrolled in 4 courses this semester instead of 5 and may keep it this way to give myself a lighter course load that is more manageable for my situation.