Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 7902
Decision Date: July 15, 2021
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Brianna Wodehouse
Student Email: 14bjw2@queensu.ca
Dear Brianna Wodehouse:
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 at university and that you are eager to return to classes, you did not supply documentation to support your request nor did your appeal demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
I am very sympathetic to your situation however I want to remind you of the advice that you were given in previous appeal decision letters regarding academic deadlines. It is your responsibility to reflect on your progress in each course during week 7 & 8 of each term and be sure to drop any courses in which you have fallen behind by the end of week 8 (the drop deadline). I see from your 2021 Summer term grades that you are still not following this guidance even after the requirement to withdraw was invoked. Going forward, you will be expected to drop impacted courses before the drop deadline dates and to understand that appeals for late drops are generally reserved for those who encounter problems after week 8 or whose problems become more acute after the deadline has passed.?
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when three years has lapsed. Upon your return, we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. It will be your responsibility to take steps for the successful completion of your program and to maintain a GPA consistent with the requirements of your plan. These are some strategies that I strongly encourage you to consider:
?? Choose courses carefully. As you know, 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 counselling is available through an advisor 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) https://sass.queensu.ca/ in Stauffer Library also 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 https://www.queensu.ca/studentwellness/ located in Mitchell Hall, offers personal and 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 ??Board 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,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Decision Date: July 15, 2021
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Brianna Wodehouse
Student Email: 14bjw2@queensu.ca
Dear Brianna Wodehouse:
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 at university and that you are eager to return to classes, you did not supply documentation to support your request nor did your appeal demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
I am very sympathetic to your situation however I want to remind you of the advice that you were given in previous appeal decision letters regarding academic deadlines. It is your responsibility to reflect on your progress in each course during week 7 & 8 of each term and be sure to drop any courses in which you have fallen behind by the end of week 8 (the drop deadline). I see from your 2021 Summer term grades that you are still not following this guidance even after the requirement to withdraw was invoked. Going forward, you will be expected to drop impacted courses before the drop deadline dates and to understand that appeals for late drops are generally reserved for those who encounter problems after week 8 or whose problems become more acute after the deadline has passed.?
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when three years has lapsed. Upon your return, we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. It will be your responsibility to take steps for the successful completion of your program and to maintain a GPA consistent with the requirements of your plan. These are some strategies that I strongly encourage you to consider:
?? Choose courses carefully. As you know, 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 counselling is available through an advisor 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) https://sass.queensu.ca/ in Stauffer Library also 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 https://www.queensu.ca/studentwellness/ located in Mitchell Hall, offers personal and 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 ??Board 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,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Generated July 15, 2021 at 11:25:53 AM.