Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 6053
Decision Date: September 5, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Sonali Sivakumar
Student Email: 17ss189@queensu.ca

Course: MATH 121
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Nageena Frost

Course: BISC 100
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Kate Turner

Course: CHEM 112
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Danesh Roudini

Course: PHYS 106
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Sharon Burgess

Course: BIO 102
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Sarah McKenzie

Course: BIO 103
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Sarah Mckenzie

Course: BISC 101
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Robert Hyland


Dear Sonali Sivakumar:

I am sorry to have read of the challenges you experienced last year and have carefully considered your appeal to receive Aegrotat standing in BIOL 103 (W 2019) and Credit standing in BISC 100, BIOL 102 (F 2018) MATH 121, CHEM 112, PHYS 106 (FW 2018/19) and BIOL 102 (F 2018) based on those circumstances. After reviewing your file I have decided the following:

1) I will grant your request for Credit standing in CHEM 112, PHYS 106 and BIOL 102 since your documentation supports the timeline of these courses and I have been advised by your instructors that the learning outcomes in these courses have been met. Your grades in CHEM 112, PHYS 106 and BIOL 102 will appear as a CR on your transcript.

2) To deny your request for Aegrotat standing in BIOL 103. Academic Regulation 10.3.1. states that, Aegrotat estimated standing in a course is reserved for situations in which a student, who has completed and passed at least 60 of the work for a course, but because of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond his or her control, is unable to complete all the work of the course (see Academic Regulation 6)€. Aegrotat standing is only granted in cases where there are well documented and unforeseen extenuating circumstances outside of a student€™s control and the learning outcomes of the course have been satisfied. The information we received from your instructor noted that you were not successful in both the midterm and the final which is a clear indicator that the learning outcomes of the course were not met. I am however willing to grant a late drop in this course. If you would like accept this offer, please email asc.appeals@queensu.ca within 21 days of receiving this decision and we will drop this course late.

3) I will deny your request for Credit standing in MATH 121, BISC 100 and BISC 101. The information received from your instructors advised that you had not completed all the course work in these courses and the grade earned is a true reflection of the work completed.

I am sure this is a somewhat disappointing decision Sonali but the integrity of Arts and Science transcripts in general would be greatly diminished if the Faculty were to effect changes to students€™ records if the learning outcomes of a course were not met.

Going forward, a good practice for all students is to pause and reflect on your progress during week 7 & 8 of term and assess whether you are actively engaged in your courses and completing your readings and assignments on time. If not, you should drop any courses in which you have fallen behind in by the end of week 8 (the drop deadline). Appeals to adjust transcripts are generally reserved for those who encounter problems after week 8 or whose problems are more acute. In addition, I encourage you to reach out to the medical services available here on Queen€™s main campus and to consider registering with QSAS who can assist you with regards to both your health and academics.

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)


20100781Sivakumar

cc: Dr. Anna Taylor, BISC