Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Academic Appeals Office,

This appeal letter is following appeal 9642 for an extension of the 21-day deadline to appeal to EXTEND the IN grades that follow. In 2 courses, all course work is completed but I require an extended IN for some assignments to be submitted and graded. For 3 courses, I am required to write final examinations, all other course components are completed and graded.

Courses

PHYS 117
Instructor: Dr. Anne Topper
topper@queensu.ca
Complete final exam

BCHM 270
Instructor: Dr. Pruss and Dr. van Staalduinen
qubchm270.bln@queensu.ca
Complete midterm and final exam (December exam period)

PHIL 301
Instructor: Dr. Omar Bachour
o.m.bachour@queensu.ca
Complete 3 written assignments (all 3 assignments are completed but not submitted or graded)

CHEM 281
Instructor: Dr. John Carran
john.carran@chem.queensu.ca
Complete final exam (December exam period)

HLTH 305
Instructor: Dr. Steven Fergusson
ferguss@queensu.ca
Complete 1 written assignment (assignment is completed but not submitted or graded)

Circumstances & Documentation

Due to extenuating health circumstances beyond my control, I suffered from mania that included symptoms of trouble concentrating, physical pain, insomnia, and the inability to provide self-care and complete tasks of daily living. These extenuating circumstances lead to my inability to engage with academic course work for extended periods of time throughout the Winter 2022 and Spring/Summer 2022 course semesters. The full time period that I was unable to complete my academic studies was from February 17, 2022, to October 17th, 2022, this is supported by attached medical documentation. My health circumstances impacted my ability to keep up with my studies and adequately advocate for myself during this time. These conditions resulted in me being unable to complete course assignments on time due to mania, insomnia, and not being able to concentrate or maintain personal self-care and complete activities of daily living. These specific symptoms also made it impossible to engage with course content and write final examinations.

Steps Taken

Due to an incorrect diagnosis, the medications I was prescribed led to long periods of mania and insomnia. Fortunately, my health care team has provided me with what they feel to be a proper diagnosis which has allowed me to take the following steps that include:
Taking regular medication for my condition, attending regular counselling sessions, booking follow-up appointments with my health care providers, and continuing to communicate with instructors when able to notify them of my circumstance. Additionally, I reached out to QSAS to see if their services would be applicable to me moving forward.

I have reached out to course instructors and the faculties to notify them of my plan to appeal for an extension of an IN grade until the end of the Fall 2022 semester. All instructors are supportive of my decision and have discussed dates for deferred examinations if my appeal is approved.

I have discussed completing courses with my health care team along with the steps outlined above to assist my studies. My healthcare team has provided support for this plan and feel that the final tasks required are appropriate and manageable given my situation.

I appreciate your time in reviewing my appeal and documentation provided. I am more than happy to answer any remaining questions or concerns that you may have at this time.

I look forward to your response.

Kindest regards,

Jensen Pletch