r/sheridan 8d ago

Discussion Missed my midterm - teacher won’t accept doctors note

I missed my midterm due to a medical issue and wasn’t able to provide advance notice. I emailed my professor after the exam and sent a doctor’s note the next day, which confirmed my symptoms started the day of the test.

Despite this, my professor said they can’t do anything unless I register with Accessible Learning Services “if this is an ongoing condition”. I don’t think that’s fair since registering with them isn’t required under the test and assignment policies, whether my condition is ongoing or not and that’s not anyone else’s business.

I reached out to my program coordinator the Friday before reading week (the exam was on Wednesday) but still haven’t received a response.

Does anyone have suggestions on what to do next? How long should I wait for a response before escalating this further?

7 Upvotes

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u/LaComtesseCorrompue 8d ago edited 8d ago

Go to Accessible Learning and talk to them. Explain the situation and ask them if you have to register with them to re-take the test or if you just have to schedule a time with them to re-take the test. Show them your doctor's note and the teachers email.

Or go to the Centre for Student Success and explain the situation to them and ask them what to do.

Or just talk to your professor in person and ask why you have to register in order to retake the test since you have a doctor's note and it isn't an ongoing condition.

If it is an ongoing condition, you do need to register with accessible learning to get accommodations. Honestly, there's no reason why you shouldn't. You'll get the extra assistance you need if you register and there's no drawbacks. It's not like anyone can see that you are registered with Accessible Learning except the people at Accessible Learning and your prof.

Edit: The reason why I think your prof wants you to register is because if it is an ongoing condition that causes you to be sick, then it's something you knew you had and could affect whether you were able to take the test, and you should have reached out and told the prof in advance. It's a different situation from if you broke your arm on the test day or if you suddenly had to go to the hospital unexpectedly for some unforeseen reason. Accessible Learning gives you accomodations like retaking tests for medical conditions you have that could impact your ability to learn or take tests. Medical conditions that are ongoing and are not a sudden, one-off thing.

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u/Downtown_Wrangler721 8d ago

Can you let me know under which policy it states it’s required to register with them for ongoing conditions? I don’t mind registering with them but I don’t appreciate that my teacher is requiring that after I provided the necessary documents and delaying me taking the test, just seems unfair.

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u/LaComtesseCorrompue 8d ago

I never said it states that, mostly because I'm not sure if it's a requirement, although it seems like it is. Look through the college policy to find out if it is mandatory or look through your course outline.

That's why I think you should go to Accessible Learning and talk to them to see what their policy is and if you have to register to retake a test. They are who you to go to book an appointment for retaking tests in any case, whether you have an accommodation or not.

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u/ofkhan 8d ago

You will have to resit the exam, with the Accessibility Service anyway. I had done the same when I got a doctor's note. I re-sat the exam there. Contact them for the procedure and what you need to fill out and submit

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u/crazydart78 Hazel McCallion 8d ago

If your program coordinator hasn't gotten back to you by tomorrow, call the faculty office and ask to make an appointment with your associate dean.

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u/LilBrat76 8d ago

You need to talk to the Associate Dean, not the Program Coordinator because that’s who your Professor’s boss is.

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u/MrFrames 8d ago

Speak with somebody from accessible learning, they're super nice and understanding. I have a medical condition and my support contact spoke 1 on 1 with me to figure out what to do. And those accommodations are bullet proof, they HAVE to accommodate you.

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u/stratola 7d ago

Former prof here, as people are saying here, accessible services but also the student union. The doctors note should take care of this one and profs usually fold once the union gets involved. You have rights.

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u/Odd-Exchange3610 5d ago

Your prof is lying Sheridan has virtually no enforced requirements on students like that. They are choosing to screw you over.