Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 6354
Decision Date: January 28, 2020
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Yanling Chen
Student Email: 15ylc5@queensu.ca

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

Course: ECON 222
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: ECON 240
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: MATH 121
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: ECON 212
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline


Dear Yanling Chen:

I was sorry to read of the challenges you have outlined in your letter of appeal and understand that these were difficult circumstances to deal with. I have carefully considered your appeal to drop CISC 101, ECON 240 (W 2018), ECON 222 (F 2018), ECON 212 (W 2019) and MATH 121 (FW 2018/19). After reviewing your file I have decided the following:

1. To grant your appeal to drop CISC 101, ECON 240 (W 2018) and ECON 222 (F 2018). The documentation you have submitted supports that timeline and notes that your circumstances were impacting your academic performance.

2. To deny your request to drop ECON 212 (W 2019) and MATH 121 (FW 2018/19). 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 which occurred after the drop date deadline and is supported by documentation. Since the documentation you submitted does not support the timeline of Winter term 2019, I cannot in good conscience drop these courses late and alter your transcript.

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 University Ombudsperson for information about student rights and responsibilities as well as guidance on policy and procedure (www.queensu.ca/ombuds).

I am pleased to read that you are continuing to meet with your therapist and I suggest that consider registering with QSAS if needed as they can help you manage both your health and your academics. This would include pausing to evaluate your progress in your courses during week 7 of term and iff you have fallen behind in your studies due to your health or other extenuating circumstances, you should drop courses by the week 8 drop deadline date.

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 continued success in your degree progression.

Sincerely,



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

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