Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Decision Letter

Appeal Number: 3506
Decision Date: June 7, 2017
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: di hu
Student Email: 15dh18@queensu.ca


Dear Ms. Hu:

I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request.

As you already know, the academic requirements in the Faculty of Arts and Science are clearly outlined in the Academic Regulation section of the Calendar. The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling is designed to provide the student with time away from the university to reflect on and remedy the factors impeding their academic success.

The Academic Regulations stipulate that waiving the requirement to withdraw can be considered only where a student€™s academic performance is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond his or her control. The requirement to withdraw is waived only in rare and exceptional circumstances where documentation makes clear that the difficulties are temporary rather than ongoing or that these difficulties have been dealt with in such a way that the student may make a successful return to the university.

There is no evidence in your appeal to show that your extenuating circumstances have been resolved to the point where you can be academically successful. There is also no evidence that you sought out any academic support (through the Bounce Back Program, Student Academic Success Services, the Learning Commons, etc.) over the past year to improve your grades. Although I am sympathetic to your circumstances, I am not convinced that an early return to classes will be successful.

Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a year has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. Upon your return we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. In returning to a regular course of study it will be your responsibility to choose courses carefully, seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance, and maintain an average consistent with the requirements for successful completion of your program.

If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit an appeal to the Board of Studies within 21 days of the date this decision was sent. Guidelines for appealing to the Board of Studies and the appeal form can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€) Do not use the on-line application for this process. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Office of the Ombudsman for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).

Yours sincerely,

Sue Blake
Assistant Dean (Studies)






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