Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 5880
Decision Date: June 17, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Maya Macleod
Student Email: mayamcl@live.com

Course: GNDS 125
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: GPHY 101
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: GEOL 107
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: POLS 243
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline


Dear Maya Macleod:

I have carefully considered your appeal to drop SPAN 111 (F 2017), ENGL 100 (FW 2017/18), GNDS 125, GPHY 101 (W 2018) and GEOL 107, POLS 243 (F 2018) past the academic deadline and receive Credit standing in POLS 110 (FW 2017/18). After reviewing your file, I have decided the following:

1) To grant your request to drop SPAN 111 (F 2017), ENGL 100 (FW 2017/18), GNDS 125, GPHY 101 (W 2018).

2) To grant Credit Standing in POLS 110. Your grade in this course will appear on your transcript as CR.

3) To deny your request to drop GEOL 2017 and POLS 243 (F 2018). The circumstances you have presented related to Fall term 2018 were certainly difficult I am sure, but took place well before the November 2nd drop date and you should have dropped courses by that date if you were struggling.

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.

These grade changes will remove the requirement to withdraw ruling and you are now able to proceed with your degree progression. Going forward, you should pause to reflect on your progress and assess whether you are actively engaged and attending classes, completing your readings and assignments during week 7 & 8. If not, you should drop any courses in which you have fallen behind in by the end of week 8 (the drop deadline). Appeals for late drops and Credit are generally reserved for those who encounter problems after week 8 or whose problems are more acute.

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.

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. You may contact the Office of the Ombudsman (www.queensu.ca/ombudsman) for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative.


Yours sincerely,



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


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