The purpose of this worksheet is to help you develop a timeline that may be used in support of an Appeal or Dean's Waiver.

This worksheet is for you and any data provided in this form will not be shared. Any personal information provided in this form is not maintained and deleted 1 hour after submission. A copy of the results will be automatically emailed to you for your own records. 

What is a Chronology?

A chronology or timeline is a written record of events over a period of time. A chronology can help you communicate to a deicsion matter what happened, when it happened, and how it impacted you.

Use a chronology for complex situations, circumstances that impacted you over a period of time, or when you lack formal evidence to support your appeal. 

If your chronology is part of an appeal for a Dean’s Waiver or other appeal application where you are asked specific questions, be sure to answer those questions and use your chronology as a supporting document. 

Be Respectful

• Use people's names and titles respectfully
• Avoid hostile or aggressive language.  
  Instead of "The counsellor always ignores my emails because people at the university stick together to cover up mistakes" say "I did not receive a response to three emails sent on dates x, y, and z".

Be Brief

• Use very short paragraphs or bullet points
• Use natual, plan English
• One word is usually enough
  Instead of "due to the fact that..." use "because"
• Avoid exaggeration
  Instead of "the vast majority" use "most".

Organize your Details

• Include only relevant details. Not every incident, conversation or email will be relevant. 
• Provide a straightforward account by stating the facts succinctly and objectively. 
• Don't over-chronicle - most dates are unimportant.
• Avoid Story-telling - list the facts, actions, decisions, and outcomes.
• Use thematic headings to guide the reader, if needed
• Do not include assumptions about other's motivations or intentions.  Describe behaviour, not personality traits. 
  For example; instead of "He always harasses me because he is an arrogant and agressive bully" say "He spoke in a loud voice, stood over me, and said that my work was useless". 
• Include relevant policies in a separate appendix - Department policies, student handbooks, or University regulations
• Include supporting documentation in a separate appendix - such as emails, medical notes, or letters of support.

Thanks for using the Office of the Ombudsperson Chronology Worksheet! By clicking Submit below, you will be sent a copy of your responses. You also have the option to Print the form data as well. 

As a reminder, the data collected in this form is not maintained or reviewed. All submission data is deleted 1 hour after submission.