Please declare your absence on ACORN for the relevant date(s) before submitting a Special Consideration Request.
If you are registered with Accessibility Services and want 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. Please DO NOT request an extension via the departmental Special Consideration system.
In all other cases, if you miss an assignment deadline due circumstances beyond your control and want to request an extension of time beyond the deadline, please complete the following steps in order to be considered for academic accommodation:
- Submit the online Special Consideration Request form within three (3) days (including weekends and holidays) of the assignment due date: https://app.utm.utoronto.ca/SpecialRequest/
NOTE: Supporting documentation is not required as per the University's temporary suspension of documentation policy. Instead, students must self declare their absence on the due date of the assignment (including any relevant days before and after) via the Absence Declaration option in ACORN.
- Submit appropriate supporting documentation within three (3) days (including weekends and holidays) of the assignment due date via email to socscr.utm@utoronto.ca. When you submit documentation electronically (as a PDF or JPEG attachment), ensure it is legible and retain the original copy in case you are asked to present it later. Legible photographs of the documentation will also be accepted.
- If illness/injury is cited as the reason for the missed deadline, no medical documentation is required as per University's temporary suspension of medical note requirement policy. Instead, students must self declare their absence on the due date of the assignment including any relevant days immediately before and after via the Absence Declaration option in ACORN.
- If you missed a deadline for a reason connected to your registered disability (and your instructor did not grant approval in advance based your accommodation letter), the department can only accept documentation provided by Accessibility Services. Please do not contact the department to request an extension.
- Other documentation can include, but is not limited to: a U of T Verification of Extenuating Circumstances form; automobile collision or police reports; a death certificate; and supporting documentation from employers, lawyers and other professional persons. When in doubt, email us at socscr.utm@utoronto.ca regarding appropriate supporting documentation for your special consideration request.
- For an extension, supporting documentation must specify the exact period that you were unable to complete your assignment. The department will then determine if any extension is merited and if so, the period of extension approved. For extensions of time beyond the examination period, you must submit a petition for an extension of time beyond end of term through the Office of the Registrar.
- The department may request additional documentation in order to assess your case fully.
Important Information
The department evaluates special consideration requests carefully and approval is not guaranteed.
- 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.
- If you have multiple special consideration requests (excluding requests pertaining to a documented disability with appropriate supporting documentation), your request may be refused.
- If you do not comply with the above instructions and timelines, or if or if your special consideration request is deemed unacceptable, your request will be denied and you will receive a grade of zero for the item you missed.
- If the department approves your special consideration request, you will be notified of the period of extension permitted.
- Students are expected to continue working on their assignments/study for tests to the best of their ability.
- Any extensions granted by the department are considered to be fair; are based on the documentation provided; and in-line with customary practice across the University. Decisions are non-negotiable. Any threats, or derogatory behavior will not be tolerated and will result in a formal report of the individual under the Student Code of Conduct.
The department (not the instructor) 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. However, you must submit your assignment per the instructions in your course outline as soon as you are able to do so; do NOT wait for the outcome of your special consideration request.