During your undergraduate degree, there may be circumstances that impact your ability to meet your academic obligations. The information below will help you navigate who to inform and what steps to take if you are unable to complete course work due to illness or injury.
Missing In-Term Work: Absence Due to Illness or Injury
The following steps apply for missing in-term work. If you will be missing a mid-term, final exam or final assessment, visit the BKin Exams page for next steps.
Step 1: Create an Official Record of Your Absence
Expand the menus below to learn more about when and how you use these options to create an official record of your absence.
ACORN Absence Declaration Tool
Verification of Illness or Injury Form (VOI)
Verification of Illness or Injury Form (VOI)
A Verification of Illness or Injury Form (also known as a “doctor’s note”) is required for a missed academic obligation due to medical related grounds. Other medical/doctor’s notes will not be accepted.
Can be Used for:
The form can be used for missed academic obligations such as:
- Final exam
- Final assessment
- Mid-term
- Lab
- Test
- Assignment
- Quiz
- Group Work
- Presentation
Why:
The Verification of Illness or Injury Form (VOI) is intended to be used as supporting documentation if requesting academic considerations for missed academic obligations. Other medical/doctor’s notes will not be accepted.
When:
- You are submitting a petition for medical related circumstances
- You are able to get a VOI completed by a practitioner (see list of eligible practitioners) and you prefer to save the ACORN Absence Declaration Tool option in case you need it later in the academic term
- You have already used the ACORN Absence Declaration Tool this academic term
- You will miss more than 7 consecutive calendar days of academic obligations due to illness or injury
How:
On the Verification of Illness or Injury page, you will find a link to download the form. Do not fill out the form using your web browser; be sure to download and save on your computer.
Step 2: Inform Your Professor
Submitting an absence declaration through ACORN or a Verification of Illness or Injury Form (VOI) does not start the process of academic consideration on its own. It is the student’s responsibility to let their course instructor(s) know that they have used the absence declaration or submitted a VOI so that they can arrange for academic consideration specific to the missed academic obligation (e.g., deadline, group work, lab).
Step 3: Submit a Petition, If Required
Professors have the authority to grant extensions of term work to no later than the last date of the examination period. Students requiring extensions beyond that date must petition. Professors may require students to formally petition for term work extensions at their discretion.
If you will be missing in-term work for all courses and/or for an extended amount of time (more than a week), you must submit a petition.
It is then your responsibility to arrange for academic consideration by submitting a petition form by emailing petitions.kpe@utoronto.ca in a timely manner.
Absence Due to Other Circumstances
The Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education Office of the Registrar & Student Services is your first stop for support. If you are unsure of any of the information below, do not hesitate to email the undergraduate studies office for guidance.
Reason for Absence
Religious, Indigenous or Spiritual Observances
Step 1: Inform your Professor(s)
Alert your professor or course instructor regarding the University sponsored event that might impact your ability to meet in-term academic obligations during the term.
Step 2: Submit a Petition, If Required
Submit a petition for the following reasons:
- If you will be missing term work for all courses or for an extended amount of time (more than a week)
- Professor has requested you to
- If you will be missing a mid-term
It is then your responsibility to arrange for academic consideration by submitting a petition form by emailing petitions.kpe@utoronto.ca in a timely manner.
Step 3: Inform the KPE Office of the Registrar & Student Services, If Required
If you will be missing a final exam or final assessment due to a religious observance, visit BKin Exams under “Final Exam Conflicts” for next steps. Learn more about Accommodations for Religious Observances.
Athletic Obligations
Step 1: Identify the Academic Conflict
Review the “Academic Conflict Policy” on the Student-Athlete Services page to identify which situation and next steps apply to you.
Step 2: Request an Academic Conflict Letter
Review the “Academic Conflict Letter” on the Student-Athlete Services page for how far in advance and steps to request an academic conflict letter.
Step 3: Inform the KPE Office of the Registrar & Student Services, If Required
If you are missing a mid-term, final exam or final assessment, visit the BKin Exams page for next steps.
Chronic and Ongoing Health Conditions
Step 1: Identify Your Situation
Review the FAQ titled "I have a disability/long term illness that affects my academics. Do I need this form?" on the Verification of Illness or Injury website to identify the next steps that apply to you.
Step 2: Follow the Steps Relevant to You
Review the FAQ titled "I have a disability/long term illness that affects my academics. Do I need this form?" on the Verification of Illness or Injury website to identify the next steps that apply to you.
Step 3: Meet with an Academic Advisor
The KPE Academic Advising team can help you navigate meeting your academic obligations. Book an Academic Advising Appointment online.
Attendance at a University-sponsored event (e.g. field trip, awards ceremony)
Step 1: Inform Your Professor(s):
Alert your professor or course instructor regarding the University sponsored event that might impact your ability to meet in-term academic obligations during the term.
Step 2: Submit a Petition, If Required
Submit a petition for the following reasons:
- If you will be missing term work for all courses or for an extended amount of time (more than a week)
- Professor has requested you to
It is then your responsibility to arrange for academic consideration by submitting a petition form and emailing petitions.kpe@utoronto.ca in a timely manner.
Step 3: Inform the KPE Office of the Registrar & Student Services, If Required
If you are missing a mid-term, final exam or final assessment, visit the BKin Exams page for next steps.
Mandatory Legal Obligations (e.g. jury duty)
Step 1: Inform Your Professors
Alert your professor or course instructor regarding the University sponsored event that might impact your ability to meet in-term academic obligations during the term.
Step 2: Submit a Petition, If Required
Submit a petition for the following reasons:
- If you will be missing term work for all courses or for an extended amount of time (more than a week)
- Professor has requested you to
It is then your responsibility to arrange for academic consideration by submitting a petition form and emailing petitions.kpe@utoronto.ca in a timely manner.
Step 3: Inform the KPE Office of the Registrar & Student Services, If Required
If you are missing a mid-term, final exam or final assessment, visit the BKin Exams page for next steps.
Personal Issues Getting in the Way of Meeting Your Academic Obligations
STEP 1: MEET WITH AN ACADEMIC ADVISOR
The KPE Academic Advising team can help you navigate meeting your academic obligations.
Book an Academic Advising Appointment online