Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 3563
Decision Date: June 19, 2017
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: Xiang Wang
Student Email: 12xw20@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Wang:
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.
Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. Additionally, these kinds of extraordinary situations are supported by documentation from a professional.
Your appeal letter claims that your gout symptoms started in November 2016 but the documentation supplied is dated July 1, 2016 and it does not provide any information concerning the impact that your illness had on your studies, nor does it speak to the severity of your symptoms. There is also no information supplied in your letter or documentation to confirm any extenuating circumstances over the winter term 2017. While I understand that you are eager to return to your studies, I am not convinced that your previous difficulties have been resolved yet to the point where you can make a successful return.
I should also note that you can complete your current summer term courses. If you are able to raise your GPA to 1.60 by the end of summer term, you will be permitted to graduate this Fall.
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)
10086768Wang
Decision Date: June 19, 2017
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: Xiang Wang
Student Email: 12xw20@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Wang:
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.
Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. Additionally, these kinds of extraordinary situations are supported by documentation from a professional.
Your appeal letter claims that your gout symptoms started in November 2016 but the documentation supplied is dated July 1, 2016 and it does not provide any information concerning the impact that your illness had on your studies, nor does it speak to the severity of your symptoms. There is also no information supplied in your letter or documentation to confirm any extenuating circumstances over the winter term 2017. While I understand that you are eager to return to your studies, I am not convinced that your previous difficulties have been resolved yet to the point where you can make a successful return.
I should also note that you can complete your current summer term courses. If you are able to raise your GPA to 1.60 by the end of summer term, you will be permitted to graduate this Fall.
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)
10086768Wang
Generated June 19, 2017 at 9:26:25 AM.