Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 5588
Decision Date: April 22, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: fucong yang
Student Email: 15fy3@queensu.ca

Course: ARTF 275
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: ARTH 250
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: ARTH 260
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: ENIN 200
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: LIBS 100
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Dear Fucong Yang:

I received your letter of appeal requesting a late drop in ARTF 275, ARTH 250, ARTH 260, ENIN 200 and LIBS 100 (F 2018) and I am sorry to have read that you have experienced some challenges during that term. After reviewing your appeal letter, 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.

I am sure this is a disappointing decision, but your appeal does not describe circumstances that are extenuating in nature which occurred after the November 2nd drop date. Challenging life circumstances are not considered sufficient reasons to alter grades on a transcript. In addition, you do not provide any documentation which supports the circumstances you experienced during the Fall term 2018. The drop deadline is set at Week 8 to allow students plenty of time to assess their progress in a class and withdraw without any academic penalty if they feel that they cannot keep up with the demands or have the academic background needed to successfully complete it.

Going forward, I suggest that you inform yourself of the academic regulations concerning deadlines as they are outlined in the Important Dates section on the Arts and Science web page and assess your progress in your courses or discuss your options with an Academic Advisor during week 7 or 8 of the term. If you find that you have fallen behind in your readings or assignments, it is your responsibility to drop by the end of week 8.

This is a difficult learning experience Fucong but one that will be valuable as you proceed with the pursuit of your university degree. Please note that if you repeat a course, the lower grade will be excluded from your GPA and the higher grade would be include in your GPA once the course is completed.

If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, information and deadlines can be found at www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€). Do not use the on-line application for this process. The Office of the Ombudsman can also assist students with advice about policies and procedures. You may contact the Ombudsman at ombuds@queensu.ca or by phone at 613-533-6495.

Sincerely,


Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)

20007954Yang