Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 4661
Decision Date: June 21, 2018
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Eleena Aluthgama Hewage
Student Email: 13enah@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Aluthgama Hewage:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years. 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 your appeal does present some extenuating circumstances beyond your control, they occurred in November and do not explain why you were not able to drop winter term courses by the March 2 deadline, despite being aware that you were on academic probation. Furthermore, the documentation supplied from your mother is based on your own self-report and does not sufficiently confirm the timeline, severity or impact that your friend€™s passing had on your studies over the past year. Your transcript shows that you still require a further 21.0 units to graduate and without any evidence to show that your personal challenges are being effectively managed and you are now in a position to make a successful return to your studies, I unfortunately cannot justify waiving the requirement to withdraw.
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,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10105601Aluthgama Hewage2
Decision Date: June 21, 2018
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Eleena Aluthgama Hewage
Student Email: 13enah@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Aluthgama Hewage:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years. 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 your appeal does present some extenuating circumstances beyond your control, they occurred in November and do not explain why you were not able to drop winter term courses by the March 2 deadline, despite being aware that you were on academic probation. Furthermore, the documentation supplied from your mother is based on your own self-report and does not sufficiently confirm the timeline, severity or impact that your friend€™s passing had on your studies over the past year. Your transcript shows that you still require a further 21.0 units to graduate and without any evidence to show that your personal challenges are being effectively managed and you are now in a position to make a successful return to your studies, I unfortunately cannot justify waiving the requirement to withdraw.
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,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10105601Aluthgama Hewage2
Generated June 21, 2018 at 10:47:05 AM.