Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 5903
Decision Date: June 25, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Sean Killin
Student Email: 15spk@queensu.ca
Dear Sean Killin:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for Three Years. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request. I am however willing to amend that ruling and Require you to Withdraw for One Year.
The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling is not intended to be punitive, rather it is designed to provide the student with time away from the university to reflect on and remedy the factors impeding their academic success. It seems to me that to invoke the three year withdrawal would have indeed seemed punitive and it is my sincere hope that when you resume your studies after one year, the health related challenges you have outlined will be resolved or you will have strategies to deal with your chronic condition.
The Academic Regulations stipulate that waiving the requirement to withdraw can be considered only where a student€™s academic performance is affected by extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. In addition, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional that makes clear that the difficulties significantly impacted a student€™s academic progress. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
I am very sympathetic to your situation. While I understand that you experienced circumstances that have impacted your studies, I am ultimately not convinced that these circumstances should lead me to waive the requirement to withdraw fully. Your file demonstrates that these circumstances have impacted your studies for some time and if you were falling behind in your course work due to those circumstances, it was your responsibility to drop courses by the drop date.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when one year has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. Upon your return we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. In returning to a regular course of study it will be your responsibility to take steps for the successful completion of your program and maintain a GPA consistent with the requirements of your plan. These are some strategies that I strongly encourage you to consider:
€¢ Choose courses carefully. As you know, achieving a higher grade in a repeated course will improve your GPA. This course of action will help to ensure you will be in good academic standing and not at risk of being required to withdraw for three years.
€¢ Reflect on your program choice. Are you in the right plan for your interests and aptitudes
€¢ Seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance. Academic counselling is available through an advisor in the Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services Office (main floor Dunning Hall, phone 613-533-2470) or through your plan department.
€¢ The Learning Commons in Stauffer Library also provides a range of services, including workshops designed to improve study skills and develop strategies for meeting the demands of academic life.
€¢ Seek out help from the Student Wellness Services Centre located in Mitchell Hall. That service offers personal and academic counselling free of charge to all Queen's students, as well as individual consultation to aid in coping with difficulties of a more personal nature.
€¢ Resume your contact with Tess Grant who can continue to help support your academic progress.
€¢ If you encounter extenuating circumstances that inhibit your ability to complete course work, consider seeking Academic Consideration. More information is available at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/accommodations
Upon your return I strongly encourage you to pause during week 7 of the term and assess your progress in your courses. If you have fallen behind in your course work, you should drop courses by week 8 of the term.
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)
10196554Killin2
Decision Date: June 25, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Sean Killin
Student Email: 15spk@queensu.ca
Dear Sean Killin:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for Three Years. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request. I am however willing to amend that ruling and Require you to Withdraw for One Year.
The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling is not intended to be punitive, rather it is designed to provide the student with time away from the university to reflect on and remedy the factors impeding their academic success. It seems to me that to invoke the three year withdrawal would have indeed seemed punitive and it is my sincere hope that when you resume your studies after one year, the health related challenges you have outlined will be resolved or you will have strategies to deal with your chronic condition.
The Academic Regulations stipulate that waiving the requirement to withdraw can be considered only where a student€™s academic performance is affected by extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. In addition, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional that makes clear that the difficulties significantly impacted a student€™s academic progress. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
I am very sympathetic to your situation. While I understand that you experienced circumstances that have impacted your studies, I am ultimately not convinced that these circumstances should lead me to waive the requirement to withdraw fully. Your file demonstrates that these circumstances have impacted your studies for some time and if you were falling behind in your course work due to those circumstances, it was your responsibility to drop courses by the drop date.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when one year has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. Upon your return we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. In returning to a regular course of study it will be your responsibility to take steps for the successful completion of your program and maintain a GPA consistent with the requirements of your plan. These are some strategies that I strongly encourage you to consider:
€¢ Choose courses carefully. As you know, achieving a higher grade in a repeated course will improve your GPA. This course of action will help to ensure you will be in good academic standing and not at risk of being required to withdraw for three years.
€¢ Reflect on your program choice. Are you in the right plan for your interests and aptitudes
€¢ Seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance. Academic counselling is available through an advisor in the Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services Office (main floor Dunning Hall, phone 613-533-2470) or through your plan department.
€¢ The Learning Commons in Stauffer Library also provides a range of services, including workshops designed to improve study skills and develop strategies for meeting the demands of academic life.
€¢ Seek out help from the Student Wellness Services Centre located in Mitchell Hall. That service offers personal and academic counselling free of charge to all Queen's students, as well as individual consultation to aid in coping with difficulties of a more personal nature.
€¢ Resume your contact with Tess Grant who can continue to help support your academic progress.
€¢ If you encounter extenuating circumstances that inhibit your ability to complete course work, consider seeking Academic Consideration. More information is available at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/accommodations
Upon your return I strongly encourage you to pause during week 7 of the term and assess your progress in your courses. If you have fallen behind in your course work, you should drop courses by week 8 of the term.
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)
10196554Killin2
Generated June 25, 2019 at 4:37:38 PM.