Special Consideration request process for term work and final exams

Supporting Documentation
Supporting documentation is expected for absence from academic participation. 

 

Missed Work Procedures:

  • Beyond the last day of exams, students requesting an extension of time for term work must submit a petition to the Office of the Registrar.  

  • Final exam deferrals petitions must be submitted through the Office of the Registrar.

 

Missed Tests:

1) Submit a request* via the online Special Consideration Request Pilot as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours after the test date. Failure to do so will result in your request being denied. Prior to completing your request, please also review the information on this page. 

*Reminder for Y courses: Students seeking to submit a special consideration request in Y courses, should access the Legacy Special Consideration Request System (used previously for the Fall Term), to do so: https://app.utm.utoronto.ca/SpecialRequest/ 

2) Use the Absence Declaration tool on ACORN to formally declare your absence from academic participation. This must be completed as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours after your test date. Please ensure the dates identified in your absence declaration include the ‘actual’ test date, if applicable. Failure to do so will result in your petition being denied. Please note there are limitations of the Absence Declaration Tool (see below notes). If an Absence Declaration cannot be submitted, students may be asked to provide supporting documentation (e.g., Verification of Student Illness or Injury Form-VOI). 

ACORN Absence Declaration Tool - Important Information:  

Beginning in the Fall 2023 – Winter 2024 academic year, the ACORN Absence Declaration Tool can be used once per academic term (e.g., the Fall term).  Students may use the one-time declaration at their discretion. Students seeking further academic consideration must follow the missed term work policy outlined in their course syllabi and may be asked to provide supporting documentation (e.g., Verification of Student Illness or Injury Form-VOI).  

  • Students who miss an academic obligation during the term (i.e., in-class assessment, quiz, paper or lab report) may use the ACORN Absence Declaration Tool to record an absence in one or more courses.  
  • Students may utilize this option once per term for a single absence period of up to seven consecutive days. The declaration period must include the day of declaration and may include past and/or future dates, for a total of up to 7 calendar days.  
  • Please ensure to include the instructor's email when declaring an absence on the ACORN Absence Declaration Tool 
  • Use of this declaration does not require supporting documentation and should be used in addition to the missed term work policy outlined in their course syllabus.
  • Students are still required to submit a Special Consideration Request in addition to submitting an ACORN Absence Declaration.  
  • Instructors may exclude one test or quiz from the one-time absence declaration, please refer to your course syllabus for this information, in which case the student would be required to provide supporting documentation.  

ACORN Help - How do I declare an absence? 

Learn more about the ACORN Absence Declaration Tool process by visiting the Office of Registrar's website: 

 

Special Consideration Request - Important Information: 

The department evaluates Special Consideration Requests carefully, and approval is not guaranteed. 

  • The Special Consideration Request System should be used infrequently. If you have multiple special consideration requests (excluding requests pertaining to a documented disability with appropriate supporting documentation), your request may be refused. 
  • Students may be asked to provide supporting documentation (e.g., Verification of Student Illness or Injury Form-VOI). 
  • Holidays and pre-purchased plane tickets, family plans (unless critical, such as death of an immediate family member), your friend's wedding, lack of preparation, course conflicts, or too many other tests are not acceptable excuses for missing a quiz, a test, or an item of course work. 
  • Failure to follow processes/provide correct information will result in your request being denied. 
  • If there is concern about your special consideration request(s), your request may be refused and/or you may be asked to meet with the Associate Chair. 
  • You may receive a follow-up email from the SCR committee. If so, you MUST respond within 24 hours. 
  • Submitting false statements and/or documentation is an academic offence and will be treated accordingly. 
  • If you do not complete the make-up as and when required, you will receive a grade of zero for the original missed test; further special consideration is not permitted. 

Important Note: If, on the day of your test, you feel you’re unable to write or have an approved Special Consideration Request to miss the assessment, DO NOT access or begin to write the test. 

 

Notifications

We will inform you of the decision on your special consideration request via email to your U of T email account typically within one (1) week. You must be prepared for a make-up at any point after your original missed test.

Please note make-up tests:

  • may be scheduled during study break.
  • may be scheduled during reading week.
  • are not held during the examination period.

It is your responsibility to ensure your 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. Contact the Psychology Department should you NOT receive notification of your decision within 1 week of submission.

If you have any questions or concerns pertaining to this process, please contact the department via email utmpsych.utm@utoronto.ca.

 

Technical Support for the Special Consideration Request Pilot: 

Please refer to the Knowledge Base on the website: https://uoft.service-now.com/utm_scr and/or please contact the department via email  utmpsych.utm@utoronto.ca.

 

Chronic Health Matters, Disability, and Religious Observances 

Students seeking academic consideration due to chronic health matters or a documented disability may use the ACORN Absence Declaration. To ensure that you have access to the accommodations necessary to support your academic success throughout the academic session, students should contact Accessibility Services. 

Students seeking consideration for religious observances should be given academic consideration in accordance with the Policy on Scheduling of Classes and Examinations and Other Accommodations for Religious Observations. 

 

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 it will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

If you have questions, please refer to www.utoronto.ca/privacy or contact the University’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Office at 416-946-5835.  Address:  Room 201, McMurrich Bldg., 12 Queen’s Park Crescent, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1.