Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 7873
Decision Date: July 22, 2021
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Cameron Dunn
Student Email: camalexdunn@gmail.com
Dear Cameron Dunn:
I was sorry to read of the challenges you outlined in your letter of appeal, some of which are related to COVID19. 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 grant your request. You may now resume your studies at Queen's University.
Cameron, this is a lenient decision since you did not encounter any serious extenuating circumstances that would have prevented you from making a good academic decision to drop courses when you fell behind in Week 8. Additionally, I have some concerns regarding your transition to on campus since some of the situation you describe as being a hinderance to your success during this past year will also occur when you return to campus to study. For example, it is easy to get caught up in socializing and skip classes, there is no one here to remind you or hold you accountable. I suggest therefore that you set up a system to ensure you are accountable to your academic plan, either with an advisor in Student Services, a parent, or a trusted friend.
It is imperative that you pay careful attention to the drop date deadlines or you will continue to incur failing grades and be at risk of being required to withdraw for 3 years when we next assess your transcript in May 2022. An appeal based on the same circumstances, without adhering to your academic plan and not dropping courses by the drop date deadline, may mean that appeal would not be granted in the future.
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. 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 and as noted above, keep you accountable to your academic plan. 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 and I would suggest you discuss with a SASS Advisor the setup of a 3-month study schedule. Here is a link for information about that service and making an appointment with a SASS Advisor: https://sass.queensu.ca/.
?? The Student Wellness Services Centre 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.
?? Consider carrying a lighter course load.
?? 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
Going forward, you should be attentive to your progress and assess whether you are actively engaged and attending classes, completing your readings and assignments. If not, you should drop any courses in which you have fallen behind by the end of week 8 each term (the drop deadline). Appeals for late drops are generally reserved for those who encounter extenuating circumstances after week 8.
Please read carefully the document which will follow this letter. It contains important information concerning your current academic standing. If you have any questions about the information, please contact the Faculty Office to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
Best of luck in your studies next year.
Yours sincerely,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Decision Date: July 22, 2021
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Cameron Dunn
Student Email: camalexdunn@gmail.com
Dear Cameron Dunn:
I was sorry to read of the challenges you outlined in your letter of appeal, some of which are related to COVID19. 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 grant your request. You may now resume your studies at Queen's University.
Cameron, this is a lenient decision since you did not encounter any serious extenuating circumstances that would have prevented you from making a good academic decision to drop courses when you fell behind in Week 8. Additionally, I have some concerns regarding your transition to on campus since some of the situation you describe as being a hinderance to your success during this past year will also occur when you return to campus to study. For example, it is easy to get caught up in socializing and skip classes, there is no one here to remind you or hold you accountable. I suggest therefore that you set up a system to ensure you are accountable to your academic plan, either with an advisor in Student Services, a parent, or a trusted friend.
It is imperative that you pay careful attention to the drop date deadlines or you will continue to incur failing grades and be at risk of being required to withdraw for 3 years when we next assess your transcript in May 2022. An appeal based on the same circumstances, without adhering to your academic plan and not dropping courses by the drop date deadline, may mean that appeal would not be granted in the future.
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. 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 and as noted above, keep you accountable to your academic plan. 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 and I would suggest you discuss with a SASS Advisor the setup of a 3-month study schedule. Here is a link for information about that service and making an appointment with a SASS Advisor: https://sass.queensu.ca/.
?? The Student Wellness Services Centre 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.
?? Consider carrying a lighter course load.
?? 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
Going forward, you should be attentive to your progress and assess whether you are actively engaged and attending classes, completing your readings and assignments. If not, you should drop any courses in which you have fallen behind by the end of week 8 each term (the drop deadline). Appeals for late drops are generally reserved for those who encounter extenuating circumstances after week 8.
Please read carefully the document which will follow this letter. It contains important information concerning your current academic standing. If you have any questions about the information, please contact the Faculty Office to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
Best of luck in your studies next year.
Yours sincerely,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Generated July 22, 2021 at 1:30:48 PM.