Requirements: Students are required to declare their absence (Self-Declared Absence Form) via ACORN prior to submitting a request to the Special Consideration system.
Students who miss a term test/quiz/in-class assignment or who submit an assignment after the due date will be assigned a mark of zero or lose a percentage of the assignment mark for each late day, as stated in the syllabus. Please review your syllabus carefully to familiarize yourself with the course policies.
Students may request special consideration from either the department or the instructor (please review your syllabus for important information about this) for missed tests/quizzes/in-class assignments or late assignments due to reasons beyond the student’s control, including:
- illness or injury
- disability
- religious observances (e.g., holy days)
- other acceptable unplanned and/or unforeseeable circumstances entirely beyond the student’s control (e.g., a court subpoena, a funeral, an accident, etc.)
Reasons such as vacations, pre-purchased plane tickets, family plans, attendance at a wedding, lack of preparation, technology failure, extra-curricular commitments and academic work in other courses are not considered to be beyond a student’s control and will not be accommodated.
We strongly advise you to prepare for the make-up test/quiz and/or submit your assignment, even if you have not received a decision regarding your request.
Please follow the appropriate procedure as determined by the type of special consideration request you are submitting.
What do I do if I miss a term test/quiz/in-class assignment in my course?
Students are required to declare their absence on ROSI/ACORN and notify their instructor in order to receive academic accommodation.
Students who miss a test/quiz/in-class assignment due to circumstances beyond their control can request that the department grant them special consideration. You must present your case to the department (not the instructor) by completing an online Special Consideration Request. The request must be submitted using the online form at:
Submit a Special Consideration Request
NOTE: This program currently supports Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Chrome.
We strongly advise you to prepare for the make-up test/quiz even if you have not received a decision regarding your request.
Make-Up Test/Quiz
If your request is GRANTED and a make-up test/quiz is required, your instructor will contact you once the make-up date has been arranged. The department will try to give two to three days notice of make-up date. However, this is sometimes not possible. Be prepared for the make-up.
Redistribution of Grades
If your request is GRANTED and a make-up test/quiz is not available, a redistribution of your grades will apply. After you receive the decision, feel free to contact your instructor to discuss how the mark will be redistributed or review your course outline.
FAQ: What if I miss a final exam in one of my Historical Studies courses?
Answer: A final exam is not an in-class assignment. You must petition the Registrar’s Office if you missed a final exam scheduled during the Examination Period. Ensure you are aware of the University regulations concerning final exams.
What do I do if I need an extension of time to complete term work (assignments)?
Students who request more time to complete their term work must submit a request directly to the department (not the instructor). This is done by completing an online Special Consideration Request:
Submit a Special Consideration Request
NOTE: This program currently supports Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Chrome.
We strongly advise you to submit your completed assignment as soon as possible, even if you have not received a decision regarding your request.
You are expected to submit your requests, with supporting documentation, within three days (including weekends) of the due date unless demonstrably serious reasons prevent you from doing so. If you are seeking a one-day extension for reasons of illness, your medical certificate or doctor’s note must confirm that you were ill on the due date of the assignment. If you are requesting a longer extension, your documentation must specify exactly the length of the period during which you were unable to carry out your academic work.
Original supporting documentation is to be dropped off in the Special Consideration drop-box located in the Historical Studies Office, Maanjiwe nendamowinan, fourth floor (outside the elevators).
An online request must be completed for each missed assignment.
If you are registered with Accessibility Services and would like to request an extension of time for an assignment in advance of the due date (based on an accommodation letter already provided to your instructor), please email both your instructor and your Accessibility Advisor directly in order to obtain approval.
FAQ: What if I require an extension beyond the end of the examination period to submit my assignment?
All requests for an extension of time beyond the end of the examination period must be petitioned through the Registrar’s Office. Ensure you are aware of the University regulations regarding the extension of time.
Deadlines
You have up to three days (including weekends) from the date of the missed test/quiz/in-class assignment, assignment due date to submit your request. Late requests will NOT be considered.
Supporting Documentation
DO NOT submit the verification of illness/extenuating circumstances forms to your instructor(s). The original documentation must be submitted to the department directly. Original supporting documentation is to be dropped off in the secure drop-box located in the Historical Studies Office, Maanjiwe nendamowinan, fourth floor, across from the elevators. Photocopies, scans or photos of the documentation will not be accepted.
ALL MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION WILL BE VERFIED WITH THE DOCTORS OFFICE.
i) Medical Certificate or Doctor's Note
Note that it is not sufficient simply to visit a doctor's office; the documentation must show that you were incapable of writing the test or completing the assignment, for medical reasons, when the test was scheduled or the assignment was due. The medical certificate must indicate that the student was unable to write the test on the day of the test. Documentation MUST show that the physician was consulted within TWO days of the test/quiz/assignment. A statement merely confirming a report of illness made by the student is NOT acceptable.
ii) Verification of Extenuating Circumstances (for non-medical reasons)
The Verification of Extenuating Circumstances may be used by non-medical personnel as supporting documentation. A verifier is someone in a position of trust – this typically would not include a family member or friend, unless they have a professional designation (e.g. lawyer, spiritual/community/religious leader, etc.).
Verification of Extenuating Circumstances (pdf)
iii) Other Documentation
Other documentation can include, but is not limited to: a letter of support from Accessibility Services, an automobile collision or police report, a death certificate and/or supporting documentation from employers, lawyers and other professional persons.
NOTE: FALSE STATEMENTS AND/OR DOCUMENTATION WILL BE TREATED AS ACADEMIC OFFENCES AND HANDLED ACCORDINGLY.
Decisions
A Committee evaluates each request and provides the Academic Counselor with their decision. Expect a decision by email within 48-72 hours if you have followed the procedure outlined above. The decision email will give you important information about whether your request is approved, denied or pending, as well as instructions on next steps. Your instructor will be copied on the message, but the message will not include your medical/personal information.
It is your responsibility to ensure your utoronto email account is working and able to receive emails. Claims that a departmental decision was not received will NOT be considered as a reason for further consideration.
Note: Although the Academic Counselor will make every effort to inform you of the committee's decision by email, it is your responsibility to ensure you obtain a decision from the department. Claims that a departmental decision was not received will NOT be considered as a reason for further consideration.
You can check the status of your request by logging into the Special Consideration online form.
https://app.utm.utoronto.ca/SpecialRequest
It is your responsibility to follow the appropriate procedure and submit requests for special consideration on time. Failure to do so may result in denying your request.
Should you require further information regarding special consideration requests, please contact the Academic Advisor at hs.advisor@utoronto.ca.
NOTICE OF COLLECTION
The University of Toronto respects your privacy. The information on this form is collected pursuant to section 2(14) of the University of Toronto Act, 1971. It is collected for the purpose of administering accommodations for academic purposes based on medical grounds. The department will maintain a record of all medical certificates received. At all times your information will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
If you have any questions regarding FIPPA, please contact the University’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Office, tel. 416-946-5835. Address: Room 201, McMurrich Bldg., 12 Queen’s Park Crescent, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1.