Request for Special Consideration
If you were sent to this page by me, you may have requested special consideration for your course grade. Or you may have requested a meeting to discuss your grade. In either case, you should read this page so you know my position:
Every term I get several requests from students asking for a special arrangement and/or an adjustment to their grade. You may have at least one of the following justifications:
Although I sympathize (with all except maybe the last reason) your grade cannot be adjusted for these reasons. Why not?
Regardless of how you feel, unearned grade adjustments would devalue the degree that you seek. I urge you not to send these types of requests to your instructors. It is immature and unprofessional, and reflects poorly on you.
If you have grounds for academic accommodation, please discuss them with the Associate Chair for your program. Well-founded compassionate grounds can affect your academic standing (Clear/Probationary/Required to Withdraw). They do not normally change your grade in a course, which is knowledge-based.
Dr. D. Naylor
Last Updated: Dec. 2024
Every term I get several requests from students asking for a special arrangement and/or an adjustment to their grade. You may have at least one of the following justifications:
- "Shocked" to have done poorly because you studied hard
- Not wanting to repeat the course; Inability to take another course due to the prerequisite; Lost internship, co-op placement, job opportunity or scholarship; Need to get the IEEQB minimum grade
- Financial difficulties, relationship/family difficulties, personal or family health/mental health issues
- Need to graduate and/or to get into graduate school
- The most annoying: My grade is ok but I need an unearned increase to reach the next letter grade
Although I sympathize (with all except maybe the last reason) your grade cannot be adjusted for these reasons. Why not?
- It would be unfair and unethical. Grade adjustments, if any, will be done in a manner that is fair for the entire class. This is NOT something you can request and I will not discuss it.
- TMU Policy #166: Course Management does not allow instructors to change the weightings of the course assessments without giving students sufficient advanced notice to adjust their course work plans. So, I cannot change the grade-weight of your midterm or final exam, a frequent request. Also, I cannot give you an "extra assignment".
- Knowledge must be demonstrated in professional programs. (Would you like to be under the care of a doctor who was passed for "compassionate reasons"?)
Regardless of how you feel, unearned grade adjustments would devalue the degree that you seek. I urge you not to send these types of requests to your instructors. It is immature and unprofessional, and reflects poorly on you.
If you have grounds for academic accommodation, please discuss them with the Associate Chair for your program. Well-founded compassionate grounds can affect your academic standing (Clear/Probationary/Required to Withdraw). They do not normally change your grade in a course, which is knowledge-based.
Dr. D. Naylor
Last Updated: Dec. 2024