Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 5593
Decision Date: April 30, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Tanner Heath
Student Email: 16tlh@queensu.ca
Course: POLS 385
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Tanner Heath:
I received your letter of appeal requesting a late drop in POLS 385 (W 2019) and I am sorry to have read that you found this course to be particularly challenging. 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.
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 am sure this is a disappointing decision, but your appeal does not describe any circumstances that are extenuating in nature and it does not supply any documentation. Finding a course difficult is not a sufficient reason to alter a grade on a transcript. 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.
This is a difficult learning experience Tanner but let me remind you that if a student repeats a course, the low grade is excluded from their grade point average and the higher grade is included which would mean there would be no long term negative impact on your GPA.
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)
20027152Heath
Decision Date: April 30, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Tanner Heath
Student Email: 16tlh@queensu.ca
Course: POLS 385
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Tanner Heath:
I received your letter of appeal requesting a late drop in POLS 385 (W 2019) and I am sorry to have read that you found this course to be particularly challenging. 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.
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 am sure this is a disappointing decision, but your appeal does not describe any circumstances that are extenuating in nature and it does not supply any documentation. Finding a course difficult is not a sufficient reason to alter a grade on a transcript. 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.
This is a difficult learning experience Tanner but let me remind you that if a student repeats a course, the low grade is excluded from their grade point average and the higher grade is included which would mean there would be no long term negative impact on your GPA.
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)
20027152Heath
Generated April 30, 2019 at 8:59:58 AM.

