Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 5706
Decision Date: May 9, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Claudia Sydor
Student Email: 13cas13@queensu.ca

Course: PSYC 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: ANAT 417
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: PHGY 350
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: CHEM 282
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: CISC P81
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: MUSC 104
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline


Dear Claudia Sydor:

I was sorry to read that you have been dealing with a medical condition during the 2018/2019 academic year. I am sure it has been a difficult year and I can appreciate your desire to persevere in your courses when a graduate program offer is extended. After carefully considering your appeal to drop ANAT 417, CHEM 282, CISC P81, MUSC 104, PHGY 350 (W 2019) and PSYC 100 (FW 2018/19) past the academic deadline.

I have granted your request based on the circumstances outlined as well as your documentation. I would caution you however that this is a lenient decision. You attempted a very heavy course load which exceeds our recommendation and there were several flags during the term which should have led you to dropping courses by the week 8 drop deadline date. The appeals process is not meant to be used to manage a chronic condition or address course grades after the fact. An appeal based on the same circumstances may not be granted in the future. I urge you to follow through with your plan to continue to work on your mental health utilizing the support systems you have in place and to register with QSAS and work with an accommodation advisor to manage your health and academics as an additional measure. And finally, I encourage you to realistically evaluate the impact of your health on your studies prior to week 8 of term. The drop deadlines, as they have been outlined in the €œImportant Dates€ section on the Arts and Science web page, have been established by the Faculty of Arts and Science to ensure a fair and equitable treatment of all students at Queen's.

Note that any change in academic registration may impact government or private-firm student financial assistance eligibility and/or funding. Please consult with the Student Awards Office, Office of the University Registrar, Gordon Hall, to understand the potential implications of changes to course or program registration and/or the consequences of not successfully completing the required course load.

I wish you success in your recovery and your future plans.

Yours sincerely,


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


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