Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 3433
Decision Date: July 6, 2017
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Zhebin Liang
Student Email: 14zl81@queensu.ca
Course: MATH221
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: GEO106
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: STAT269
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH281
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Liang:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop MATH 221, GEOL 106, STAT 269 (F 2016) and MATH 281 (W 2017) as well as 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 normally supported by documentation from a professional.
You noted in your letter that at the beginning of the fall term you found your math classes very difficult and by the middle of the term you were overwhelmed. However, there is no explanation supplied as to why you did not drop any courses by the Week 8 deadline (assuming that you received the results of your midterm tests by that date.) While I understand that your grandfather passed away sometime during the fall term, there is no documentation supplied to confirm when this occurred or what specific impact it had on your studies over the course of the year.
Your letter also does not make any specific reference to the extenuating circumstances that affected your winter term performance or any explanation as to why you did not drop any courses by the drop deadline. The letter from Ms. Anderson, your counsellor in Student Wellness Services, confirms that you had a counselling appointment with her and that she felt your circumstances may have moderately affected your academic performance. However, there is no confirmation from her that you have sought any follow up treatment or that your circumstances have yet been resolved in such a way that you can make a successful return to your studies next year.
Lastly, I am not convinced that your academic plan will result in any significant improvement in your academic performance.
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,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10188375Liang
Decision Date: July 6, 2017
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Zhebin Liang
Student Email: 14zl81@queensu.ca
Course: MATH221
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: GEO106
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: STAT269
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH281
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Liang:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop MATH 221, GEOL 106, STAT 269 (F 2016) and MATH 281 (W 2017) as well as 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 normally supported by documentation from a professional.
You noted in your letter that at the beginning of the fall term you found your math classes very difficult and by the middle of the term you were overwhelmed. However, there is no explanation supplied as to why you did not drop any courses by the Week 8 deadline (assuming that you received the results of your midterm tests by that date.) While I understand that your grandfather passed away sometime during the fall term, there is no documentation supplied to confirm when this occurred or what specific impact it had on your studies over the course of the year.
Your letter also does not make any specific reference to the extenuating circumstances that affected your winter term performance or any explanation as to why you did not drop any courses by the drop deadline. The letter from Ms. Anderson, your counsellor in Student Wellness Services, confirms that you had a counselling appointment with her and that she felt your circumstances may have moderately affected your academic performance. However, there is no confirmation from her that you have sought any follow up treatment or that your circumstances have yet been resolved in such a way that you can make a successful return to your studies next year.
Lastly, I am not convinced that your academic plan will result in any significant improvement in your academic performance.
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,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10188375Liang
Generated July 6, 2017 at 10:58:23 AM.