Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 5116
Decision Date: December 20, 2018
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Kate Thomas
Student Email: katiemariathomas@hotmail.com

Course: ENGL200
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: ENGL281
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: EMPR220
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: HIST263
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: GNDS215
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline


Dear Ms. Thomas:

I have carefully considered your appeal to drop ENGL 200 (FW 2018/19), ENGL 281, EMPR 220, HIST 263, GNDS 215 (F 2018) past the academic deadline. After reviewing your file I have decided to deny your request. Please note however that you can drop ENGL 200 on SOLUS. The last date to drop a full year course is March 1, 2019.

As you know, courses must be dropped on SOLUS within the published deadlines. The Academic Regulations (Appeal of Academic Decisions, IIIb) stress that exceptions to this will only be waived under extenuating circumstances. The integrity of Arts and Science transcripts in general would be greatly diminished if the Faculty were to effect changes to students€™ records without clear and compelling documentation indicating that the student€™s performance was significantly compromised by circumstances beyond his or her control.

While you report that you have experienced challenges which require your attention at this time, your appeal fails to include supporting documentation which confirms these circumstances are beyond your control and prevented you from dropping courses by the November 2nd drop deadline date. The appeals process is not meant to be used to manage ongoing problems but is designed for students who encounter problems, or whose problems become acute, after the drop deadline. Going forward, I would encourage you evaluate the impact of life circumstances on your studies prior to week 8 of term.

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 the Office of the Ombudsman for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. Their office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and can be reached by phone (613-533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).

Sincerely,



Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)

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