Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 5223
Decision Date: January 15, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Faraz Waseem
Student Email: 12fw7@queensu.ca
Course: CISC 260
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 220
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Waseem:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop CISC 260 and CISC 220 (F 2018) late. After reviewing your file I have decided to deny your request.
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 your appeal does describe circumstances that are extenuating in nature, the documentation provided does not present a direct link relating to the severity and impact those circumstances had on your grades in these particular courses or that you would have performed significantly better in the courses under any different circumstances. The drop deadline is set at Week 8 to allow students plenty of time to assess their progress in a class and withdraw without academic penalty if they feel that they cannot keep up with the demands or have the academic background needed to successfully complete it. You were aware of the November 2nd drop date for Fall 2018 courses since you were advised of them during a meeting with an Academic Advisor on that date, but you made the decision to remain in the courses in spite of the struggles you reported at that time. The appeal system is not designed to allow students to ask to have low grades altered after the fact.
I would strongly suggest that you contact Student Wellness Services at 613-533-2506 and set up an appointment with Arunima Khan who is a Counsellor and may be able to offer you advise regarding your challenges. This suggestion had been made to you previously and I would encourage you to reach out to her for assistance. I might also suggest that you make an appointment to meet with Ms. Haley Everson, Assistant Director in the Faculty of Arts and Science office who can discuss with you a possible Major other than Computing. It seems that the required courses in this Major have presented you with ongoing challenges and perhaps a different concentration would lead to success. Please call 613-533-2470 to arrange an appointment with her. Going forward, I strongly encourage you evaluate the impact of your health and life circumstances on your studies prior to week 8 of term and drop courses as necessary.
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 Ombudsman for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. Their office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (613-533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10097698Waseem3
Decision Date: January 15, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Faraz Waseem
Student Email: 12fw7@queensu.ca
Course: CISC 260
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 220
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Waseem:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop CISC 260 and CISC 220 (F 2018) late. After reviewing your file I have decided to deny your request.
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 your appeal does describe circumstances that are extenuating in nature, the documentation provided does not present a direct link relating to the severity and impact those circumstances had on your grades in these particular courses or that you would have performed significantly better in the courses under any different circumstances. The drop deadline is set at Week 8 to allow students plenty of time to assess their progress in a class and withdraw without academic penalty if they feel that they cannot keep up with the demands or have the academic background needed to successfully complete it. You were aware of the November 2nd drop date for Fall 2018 courses since you were advised of them during a meeting with an Academic Advisor on that date, but you made the decision to remain in the courses in spite of the struggles you reported at that time. The appeal system is not designed to allow students to ask to have low grades altered after the fact.
I would strongly suggest that you contact Student Wellness Services at 613-533-2506 and set up an appointment with Arunima Khan who is a Counsellor and may be able to offer you advise regarding your challenges. This suggestion had been made to you previously and I would encourage you to reach out to her for assistance. I might also suggest that you make an appointment to meet with Ms. Haley Everson, Assistant Director in the Faculty of Arts and Science office who can discuss with you a possible Major other than Computing. It seems that the required courses in this Major have presented you with ongoing challenges and perhaps a different concentration would lead to success. Please call 613-533-2470 to arrange an appointment with her. Going forward, I strongly encourage you evaluate the impact of your health and life circumstances on your studies prior to week 8 of term and drop courses as necessary.
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 Ombudsman for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. Their office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (613-533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10097698Waseem3
Generated January 15, 2019 at 3:31:15 PM.