Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 5966
Decision Date: July 8, 2019
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: THIPIKA BALAKRISHNAN
Student Email: 16tb28@queensu.ca
Dear Thipika Balakrishnan:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the 21 day appeal deadline and have also considered your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request.
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. My sincere hope is that you will take this opportunity to make some changes and access the supports you need to achieve that success.
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 and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted. The medical documentation submitted with your appeal is related to the summer term 2017 and does not support extenuating circumstances during the Winter term 2019. The Press Release submitted does not address the severity and impact that your family situation, however troubling, had on your studies.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a 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. 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.
€¢ The Student Wellness Services Centre located in Mitchell Hall 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.
€¢ Going forward I would encourage you to pause and evaluate your progress in courses during week 7 of the term and if you have fallen behind due to health issues or personal circumstances, you should drop courses by the week 8 drop deadline date.
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,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
20058664Balakrishnan1
Decision Date: July 8, 2019
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: THIPIKA BALAKRISHNAN
Student Email: 16tb28@queensu.ca
Dear Thipika Balakrishnan:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the 21 day appeal deadline and have also considered your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request.
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. My sincere hope is that you will take this opportunity to make some changes and access the supports you need to achieve that success.
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 and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted. The medical documentation submitted with your appeal is related to the summer term 2017 and does not support extenuating circumstances during the Winter term 2019. The Press Release submitted does not address the severity and impact that your family situation, however troubling, had on your studies.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a 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. 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.
€¢ The Student Wellness Services Centre located in Mitchell Hall 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.
€¢ Going forward I would encourage you to pause and evaluate your progress in courses during week 7 of the term and if you have fallen behind due to health issues or personal circumstances, you should drop courses by the week 8 drop deadline date.
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,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
20058664Balakrishnan1
Generated July 8, 2019 at 8:42:48 AM.