Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 7862
Decision Date: June 21, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Wanxing Xie
Student Email: 14wxx@queensu.ca
Course: CISC101
Term: Summer
Year: 2021
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Wanxing Xie:
I was sorry to read of the challenges you reported in your letter of appeal, and I have carefully considered your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for Three Years. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request. I have also denied your request to drop CISC 101 (S 2021) late.
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 at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
I am very sympathetic to your situation. While I realize that you report your grandmother passed away in October 2020, and I am sorry for your loss, you did have time to drop courses both during the Fall term and Winter term if your grades were being impacted by that loss. Additionally, your medical documentation notes you tested positive for COVID 19 in December, which was well before the Winter term drop dates. If you were falling behind in your course work due to that circumstance it was your responsibility to either request Academic Consideration to arrange additional time to complete the course work due to the health-related challenges you were experiencing, or drop courses by the drop date deadline.
Additionally, I am denying the request to drop CISC 101 (S 2021) late as there are no documented extenuating circumstances presented to warrant that drop and to alter your transcript.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when three years have lapsed from the end of summer term 2021. 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 advising is available in the Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services Office (main floor Dunning Hall, phone 613-533-2470) or through your Plan department.
€¢ Student Academic Success Services (SASS) in Stauffer Library 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 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.
€¢ If you encounter extenuating circumstances that inhibit your ability to complete course work, consider seeking Academic Consideration. More information is available at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/accommodations
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).
Yours sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
10156560Xie
Decision Date: June 21, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Wanxing Xie
Student Email: 14wxx@queensu.ca
Course: CISC101
Term: Summer
Year: 2021
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Wanxing Xie:
I was sorry to read of the challenges you reported in your letter of appeal, and I have carefully considered your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for Three Years. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request. I have also denied your request to drop CISC 101 (S 2021) late.
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 at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
I am very sympathetic to your situation. While I realize that you report your grandmother passed away in October 2020, and I am sorry for your loss, you did have time to drop courses both during the Fall term and Winter term if your grades were being impacted by that loss. Additionally, your medical documentation notes you tested positive for COVID 19 in December, which was well before the Winter term drop dates. If you were falling behind in your course work due to that circumstance it was your responsibility to either request Academic Consideration to arrange additional time to complete the course work due to the health-related challenges you were experiencing, or drop courses by the drop date deadline.
Additionally, I am denying the request to drop CISC 101 (S 2021) late as there are no documented extenuating circumstances presented to warrant that drop and to alter your transcript.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when three years have lapsed from the end of summer term 2021. 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 advising is available in the Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services Office (main floor Dunning Hall, phone 613-533-2470) or through your Plan department.
€¢ Student Academic Success Services (SASS) in Stauffer Library 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 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.
€¢ If you encounter extenuating circumstances that inhibit your ability to complete course work, consider seeking Academic Consideration. More information is available at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/accommodations
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).
Yours sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
10156560Xie
Generated June 21, 2021 at 9:47:44 AM.