Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 3709
Decision Date: September 11, 2017
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Patrick Sakamoto
Student Email: 12pjs1@queensu.ca
Course: ENGL 259
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: LIBS 100
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: WRIT 125
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: WRIT 265
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: ENGL 237
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Sakamoto:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop ENGL 259, LIBS 100, WRIT 125, WRIT 265 (F 2016) and ENGL 237 (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. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
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.
While the letter supplied by Dr. Altitanchy confirms that you are currently capable of returning to studies, it does not confirm the presence or timeline of your extenuating circumstances, how severe they were last year or what specific impact they had on your classes and your ability to drop them by the academic deadlines. There is also no documentation from your employer to confirm that your part-time job turned into a full-time job of 40+ hours per week or agreement to allow you to take the next year off to focus on your studies. Without such information, I cannot reasonably grant your request.
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)
10062793Sakamoto2
Decision Date: September 11, 2017
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Patrick Sakamoto
Student Email: 12pjs1@queensu.ca
Course: ENGL 259
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: LIBS 100
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: WRIT 125
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: WRIT 265
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: ENGL 237
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Sakamoto:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop ENGL 259, LIBS 100, WRIT 125, WRIT 265 (F 2016) and ENGL 237 (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. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
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.
While the letter supplied by Dr. Altitanchy confirms that you are currently capable of returning to studies, it does not confirm the presence or timeline of your extenuating circumstances, how severe they were last year or what specific impact they had on your classes and your ability to drop them by the academic deadlines. There is also no documentation from your employer to confirm that your part-time job turned into a full-time job of 40+ hours per week or agreement to allow you to take the next year off to focus on your studies. Without such information, I cannot reasonably grant your request.
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)
10062793Sakamoto2
Generated September 11, 2017 at 3:16:47 PM.