The University has made changes to the applicability of the ACORN Absence Declaration Tool. As of the Fall 2023 term, the Absence Declaration Tool will no longer be considered as supporting documentation for petition requests.
If you are unable to complete course work such as assignments, tests or final assessments by the submission deadline, you should ask your instructor for an extension up until the end of term. Extensions are granted at the discretion of the instructor. If you are still unable to complete the course work during the term, you can submit a term work extension petition. Through this petition, you are requesting to complete the course work after the original deadline and after any extensions permitted by the instructor.
Deadline to Submit a Term Work Extension Petition
The deadline to submit a term work extension petition is five business days after the end of the final exam period for the term in which you took this course. Keep in mind that your instructor may be able to permit extensions for course work to be completed until five business days after the end of the final exam period. If you are unable to arrange for an extension through your instructor by this date, or need a further extension beyond the five days, you should submit this petition within five business days after the end of the final exam period.
Personal Statement & Supporting Documentation for a Term Work Extension Petition
In addition to the recommendations listed in Preparing a Petition, your personal statement should explain what circumstances prevented you from completing an assessment (e.g., test, midterm, quiz) or submitting an assignment (e.g., report, essay, outline) by the deadline. In addition, answer the following questions in your personal statement:
- Did you seek special consideration from your instructor(s) (e.g., make-up tests or extensions) during the term, soon after the missed assessment or assignment due date? Did they agree to giving you an extension? If not, why? If so, what happened?
- Include a reasonable anticipated submission date in which you will submit your term work. This proposed submission date should be supported by your documentation.
In addition to your personal statement, you will be required to submit with your petition application documentation supporting the reasons provided in your personal statement for why the term work could not be completed by the deadline. In the event that you could not complete the term work by the deadline due to medical reasons, your supporting documentation should include the U of T Verification of Student Illness or Injury form (VOI) showing the day(s) you were ill or injured. This form should be completed by a relevant practitioner listed on the form.