Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 7394
Decision Date: March 26, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Ben Cape
Student Email: 18blc@queensu.ca

Course: GPHY 101
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: GPHY 208
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: GPHY 368
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: GPHY 351
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline


Dear Ben Cape:

I was sorry to read of the difficult circumstances you outlined and understand how the additional challenges related to COVID19 impacted your studies. I have carefully considered your appeal to drop GPHY 101, GPHY 208, GPHY 368 and GPHY 351 (F 2020) past the academic deadline and, after reviewing your file, I have decided to grant your request.

I would like to note that I have exercised significant leniency in this decision, acknowledging the challenges you faced but future appeals based on similar circumstances will not be granted in the future. To ensure you meet with success in your courses, I strongly urge you to seek support from Student Academic Success Services (SASS). You have also been advised previously to consider registering with QSAS and I do encourage you to do that if you have not done so already. A QSAS Advisor can help with both your health and academics.

Going forward, as you have been warned to do previously, you should pause to reflect on your progress during week 7 & 8 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 for late drops are generally reserved for those who encounter problems after week 8 or whose problems are more acute and is not meant to manage a chronic condition.

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.

Yours sincerely,


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


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