Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 7888
Decision Date: July 15, 2021
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Soran Ghahramani
Student Email: 17sg23@queensu.ca
Dear Soran Ghahramani:
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 One Year. 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. The documentation you have submitted is dated 2013 and 2019 and is therefore not a clear indicator to me of your extenuating circumstances and related impact since then. While your letter of appeal reports that you have 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 and can see that you have struggled with a chronic health condition for some time. I commend you for now being registered with QSAS and using the consideration request regularly when you require a few days away due to your treatments. Unfortunately, even with these supports in place, you are still having trouble studying due to the combination of several issues, and thus, time away is needed to work through the short-term personal issues you have, and get your mental health back on track. Soran, you report plans to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle and I encourage you to follow through with that plan. At this time however, there is no evidence of this lifestyle change, and it is too early to risk a return to your studies given the number and severity of issues with which you are coping.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a year 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. I strongly suggest you consider this course of action since it will help to ensure you will be in good academic standing and not at risk of being required to withdraw for three years when we review your academic standing again next year.
?? Follow through with your academic plan.
?? 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.
?? Continue to work with your QSAS Advisor who can assist you with both your health and academics.
?? If you encounter extenuating circumstances that inhibit your ability to complete course work, continue to request 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?). 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)
20079741Ghahramani
Decision Date: July 15, 2021
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Soran Ghahramani
Student Email: 17sg23@queensu.ca
Dear Soran Ghahramani:
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 One Year. 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. The documentation you have submitted is dated 2013 and 2019 and is therefore not a clear indicator to me of your extenuating circumstances and related impact since then. While your letter of appeal reports that you have 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 and can see that you have struggled with a chronic health condition for some time. I commend you for now being registered with QSAS and using the consideration request regularly when you require a few days away due to your treatments. Unfortunately, even with these supports in place, you are still having trouble studying due to the combination of several issues, and thus, time away is needed to work through the short-term personal issues you have, and get your mental health back on track. Soran, you report plans to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle and I encourage you to follow through with that plan. At this time however, there is no evidence of this lifestyle change, and it is too early to risk a return to your studies given the number and severity of issues with which you are coping.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a year 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. I strongly suggest you consider this course of action since it will help to ensure you will be in good academic standing and not at risk of being required to withdraw for three years when we review your academic standing again next year.
?? Follow through with your academic plan.
?? 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.
?? Continue to work with your QSAS Advisor who can assist you with both your health and academics.
?? If you encounter extenuating circumstances that inhibit your ability to complete course work, continue to request 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?). 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)
20079741Ghahramani
Generated July 15, 2021 at 12:08:53 PM.