Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr Stephenson,
I am writing to make an appeal for an AEGROTAT standing for PHIL 256 (Fall 2019).

Throughout the course of Fall 2019 and part of Winter 2020, I found myself dealing with extenuating circumstances pertaining to my hearing which directly affected the way in which I was able to perform during the Fall Semester of 2019. I found myself struggling to hear properly during class starting in September 2019 and from there took the steps to book a hearing exam which I was unable to book an appointment until November 2019. Following my hearing exam, the specialist brought to my attention that I had been dealing with moderate to severe hearing loss in both of my ears which was affecting my word recognition and migraines. From this appointment, I then found myself needing to see an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor (ENT) to establish where this issue was directly coming from as well as the extent of my hearing loss and damage. The process of seeing an ENT took three months where I then met with the Doctor on January 15, 2020. The ENT came to the conclusion that I would need hearing aids and that I did, in fact, have significant hearing loss in both ears which was directly affecting my word recognition. Following that appointment, I went to see the hearing aid specialist who fitted me for hearing aids. After this appointment, I went to Jay at Student Success Services on January 16, 2020, as I am already registered for accommodations pertaining to anxiety and other learning exceptionalities, although I did not receive my hearing aids for another five weeks following my final diagnosis. Unfortunately, I found it hard to keep up with the demand of my courses as due to my moderate to severe hearing loss and not having the proper hearing aid technology throughout Fall Semester 2019. I was unable to hear instructors and therefore found myself trying to teach myself course material in order to be prepared for my finals as well as papers and future courses that I failed to complete course material in all of my courses.

Now that I have received proper technology as well as new accommodations with Student Accessibility Services I believe the future of my academics at Queen's University will be better equipped with the proper technology I need which will give me the ability to learn course material better in lecture as opposed to trying to learn almost only lecture slides.
Due to the unfortunately long waiting times, I had to endure during the process of my diagnosis and trying to complete my second semester courses as well as the stress of COVID-19 I failed to meet the one-semester deadline for submitting academic appeals and so I am hoping to waive the Appeal Deadline.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Caeleigh MacInnis