Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 7887
Decision Date: July 20, 2021
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Taylor McMaster
Student Email: 18tlm@queensu.ca

Course: EMPR 110
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Cormac Evans

Course: GNDS 120
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Melissa Houghtaling

Course: HLTH 102
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Jennifer Tomasone

Course: PHIL 151
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Mark Smith

Course: POLS 110B
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Kim Nossal

Course: POLS 101
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Jonathan Rose


Dear Taylor McMaster:

I was sorry to read of the difficulties you outlined in your letter of appeal which has no doubt impacted your academic progress. I have carefully considered your appeal requesting credit standing in courses during the 2018/19 academic year, but a student cannot appeal for Credit standing in courses they did not achieve a passing grade in (see Appeal Regulation 3.3.4). After reviewing your file, I have decided however to drop PHIL151, GNDS 120 (F 2018); EMPR 110, HLTH 102, POLS 101 (W 2019); and POLS 110 (FW 2018/19) which will therefore remove the Faculty rulings that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. and that you be Required to Withdraw for Three Years. Based on the circumstances you have outlined and your documentation, I will also drop DEVS 105 and EMPR 110 (W 2021). You may now resume your studies at Queen's University.

I have granted this appeal based on the circumstances you outlined as well as your academic plan and documentation. I encourage you to continue to work with your health care team, including the Queen??s Student Accessibility Service (QSAS), who can help support both your health and academics.

Taylor, going forward I strongly suggest that you pause and evaluate your progress in your courses during week 7 of each term and drop courses that you are behind in, or not achieving the grades you desire, by that week 8 drop date deadline. The drop date deadlines, as they have been outlined in the ??Important Dates? section on the Arts and Science web page, have been established by the Faculty of Arts and Science to ensure a fair and equitable treatment of all students at Queen's.

As you continue in your course of study it is 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 and reflect on your anticipated program of choice. Are you in the right set of courses for your interests and aptitudes?
?? Continue to seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance by meeting with an Academic Advisor in the Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services Office (main floor Dunning Hall, phone 613-533-2470).
?? The Student Academic Success Service (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 on the first floor of Mitchell Hall, 69 Union Street, offers personal and academic 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 QSAS and monitor your accessibility requirements.
?? 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

Note that any change in academic registration may impact government or private-firm student financial assistance eligibility and/or funding. Please consult with the Student Awards Office, Office of the University Registrar, Gordon Hall, to understand the potential implications of changes to course or program registration and/or the consequences of not successfully completing the required course load.

I wish you well in the upcoming year.

Yours sincerely,


Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)

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