Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 7879
Decision Date: June 28, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Xiaoyan Liu
Student Email: 16xl72@queensu.ca
Dear Xiaoyan Liu:
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.
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 when your grandmother passed away in 2019, 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 understand that the circumstances you outlined may have impacted your studies, I am ultimately not convinced that these circumstances should lead me to waive the requirement to withdraw and I believe you would benefit from stepping away from your studies and taking time to develop strategies that will lead to resiliency which will aid you in your studies when you return to Queen€™s.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when three years has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. 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
€¢ Ensure that you carefully assess your progress during week 7 of each term and if you have fallen behind in your studies or are not satisfied with your grades, you should drop courses by the week 8 term drop date deadline during the Fall/Winter academic sessions.
€¢ 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)
20058822Liu
Decision Date: June 28, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Xiaoyan Liu
Student Email: 16xl72@queensu.ca
Dear Xiaoyan Liu:
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.
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 when your grandmother passed away in 2019, 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 understand that the circumstances you outlined may have impacted your studies, I am ultimately not convinced that these circumstances should lead me to waive the requirement to withdraw and I believe you would benefit from stepping away from your studies and taking time to develop strategies that will lead to resiliency which will aid you in your studies when you return to Queen€™s.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when three years has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. 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
€¢ Ensure that you carefully assess your progress during week 7 of each term and if you have fallen behind in your studies or are not satisfied with your grades, you should drop courses by the week 8 term drop date deadline during the Fall/Winter academic sessions.
€¢ 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)
20058822Liu
Generated June 28, 2021 at 11:59:23 AM.