Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 7815
Decision Date: June 17, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Xiangyi Chen
Student Email: 16xc9@queensu.ca

Course: GPHY227
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor: Paul Sylvestre
Additional Information: late drop

Course: GPHY 243
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor: Paul Belanger
Additional Information: late drop

Course: GPHY339
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor: Mark Rosenberg
Additional Information: late drop

Course: MUSC171
Term: Summer
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor: Darrell Simkins
Additional Information: late drop

Course: GPHY 330
Term: Winter
Year: 2021
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Instructor: Ajay Agarwal
Additional Information: late drop

Course: ARTH 120
Term: Summer
Year: 2020
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Jane Russell-Corbet


Dear Xiangyi Chen:

I was sorry to read of your health issues which you reported in your letter of appeal and I have carefully considered your request to drop MUSC 171 (S 2020); GPHY 227, GPHY 243, GPHY 339 (F 2020); and GPHY 330 (W 2021) after the drop date. You have also appealed for Aegrotat standing in ARTH 120 (S 2020). After reviewing your file I have decided the following:

1. To grant your request to drop MUSC 171 (S 2020) based the circumstances outlined and documentation.

2. To grant your request to receive Aegrotat standing in ARTH 120 (S 2020) based on your extenuating circumstances, your documentation, and the input received from your instructor. Your grade in that course will be a B with a notation indicating it is an estimated grade.

3. To deny your request to drop GPHY 227, GPHY 243, GPHY 339 (F 2020) and GPHY 330 (W 2021). 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.

Xiangyi, I am sure this is a disappointing decision but the documentation you have provided does not support the Fall term 2020 and the impact related to Winter term indicates mild to moderate impact, which started on January 25th, thus giving you time either drop courses by the drop date deadline or seek out consideration.

Let me remind you that if a student repeats a course, the higher grade will be included with the GPA and the lower grade will be excluded. This may be a good strategy for you to consider as you select courses in the future. Going forward, I strongly suggest that you pause and evaluate your progress in your courses during week 7 of term. If 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.

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).

Sincerely,


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

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