Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 8681
Decision Date: February 22, 2022
Associate Dean: Amitava Chowdhury, Ph.D.
Student Name: Jessica Niskanen
Student Email: 16jdn1@queensu.ca

Course: BIOL 422
Term: Winter
Year: 2021
Category: Request an extension of an incomplete grade
Instructor: Dr. Vicki Friesen

Course: PSYC 436
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: PSYC 360
Term: Winter
Year: 2021
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline


Dear Jessica:

I was sorry to read of the health-related challenges you outlined in your letter of appeal and I have carefully considered your request to drop PSYC 436 (F 2020), PSYC 360 (W 2021) and receive an extension of your INcomplete grade in BIOL 422 (W 2021). After reviewing your file, I have decided to grant your request. You are permitted up to April 30, 2022 at the latest to complete the requirements in BIOL 422 and it is your responsibility to contact Professor Friesen to make the appropriate arrangements.

I have granted this appeal based your circumstances and documentation as well as the support received from your instructor. Going forward Jessica, you will be responsible for managing the impact of your condition on our academics proactively and not after the fact via the appeal process. I encourage you to carefully evaluate your progress in each of your courses prior to the week 8 drop deadline, and if you have fallen behind or you are not performing in courses to your satisfaction, you should drop courses by the drop deadline.

Another tool to manage your academics in addition to dropping a course by the drop deadline is our Academic Consideration protocol. A??student can request short term??consideration??if they need more time to complete an assignment or had to miss a class due to documented extenuating circumstances. Here is the link for information about that process:??????
https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergrad-students/academic-consideration-for-students

Jessica, I strongly encourage you to continue to work with a health professional and if this is a chronic condition, please talk to your??counsellor??about??the possibility of??registering with QSAS.????A??QSAS??Advisor??can help put into place appropriate accommodations to help with you manage the impact of your health on your academics.??

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.

Best of luck in your current courses.

Yours sincerely,


Amitava Chowdhury, Ph.D.
Special Advisor to the Dean
Faculty of Arts and Science

20063795Niskanen


Cc: Professor Friesen
Office of Associate Dean (Academic)