Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 4741
Decision Date: July 3, 2018
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Michelle Le
Student Email: 14ml84@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Le:
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. I understand that you have a very challenging and difficult family situation but these circumstances appear to have been occurring for some time now. You successfully appealed to waive the requirement to withdraw last year based on an academic plan that was focused on accessing a variety of academic resources on campus but there is no evidence supplied to show that you followed through with this plan. There is also no sufficient documentation supplied to confirm the full timeline and severity of your circumstances over the fall and winter terms nor is there any documentation supplied to confirm that your circumstances have now been resolved or are being managed in such a way that you can make a successful return to your studies next year. Without such documentation, I am unfortunately not able to waive 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,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10177521Le3
Decision Date: July 3, 2018
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Michelle Le
Student Email: 14ml84@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Le:
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. I understand that you have a very challenging and difficult family situation but these circumstances appear to have been occurring for some time now. You successfully appealed to waive the requirement to withdraw last year based on an academic plan that was focused on accessing a variety of academic resources on campus but there is no evidence supplied to show that you followed through with this plan. There is also no sufficient documentation supplied to confirm the full timeline and severity of your circumstances over the fall and winter terms nor is there any documentation supplied to confirm that your circumstances have now been resolved or are being managed in such a way that you can make a successful return to your studies next year. Without such documentation, I am unfortunately not able to waive 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,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10177521Le3
Generated July 3, 2018 at 11:02:25 AM.