Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 9302
Decision Date: July 5, 2022
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Rachel Ferguson-WULS
Student Email: rachelfw0@gmail.com
Dear Rachel:
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.
Rachel, this ruling is not intended to be punitive, rather it is designed to provide a 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. 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 and indeed in your best interest.
The documentation you submitted from QSAS extended only to November 2021 and does not provide support beyond that date. Additionally, the new article certainly attests to a tragic accident, but you have provided no documentation which indicate the impact that had on you during the full academic year.
The extenuating circumstances you have outlined were I am sure difficult to manage, but I encourage you to take this next year to continue to work with your therapist and then, upon your return to Queen??s, utilize the resources available as need. I strongly suggest that when you resume your studies, you pause and reflect on your progress in your courses prior to week 8 and if you have fallen behind in your course due to your health or other challenges, you should drop courses by the week 8 drop deadline.
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 next review your academic standing.
?? Follow through with your academic plan.
?? Reflect on your program choice. Are you in the right Plan/courses for your interests and aptitudes?
?? Seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance. Academic counselling is available through your Plan department, or you can book an appointment with an advisor in the Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services Office. Appointments can be booked through the ?youcanbookme?? services at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergrad-students/student-services/academic-advising/appointment-booking
?? The Student Academic Success Service (https://sass.queensu.ca/) 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, is available free of charge to all Queen??s students. SWS offers personal counselling as well as individual consultation to aid in coping with difficulties of a more personal nature.
?? Academic Consideration is a process for the university community to provide a compassionate response to assist students experiencing a short-term extenuating circumstance. You can familiarize yourself with your consideration options 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 https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/procedural-fairness and guidance on policy and procedure by visiting their website at https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/.
Please read the document which will follow this letter carefully. It contains important information concerning appeals to the Board of Studies.
Student Academic Appeals Policy (SAAP) https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senate/student-academic-appeals-policyE and Rules of Procedure for USAB https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senate/student-academic-appeals-policy/usab-rules-of-procedure are Queen??s university Senate approved appeal policies. In the event that an inconsistency arises between these policies and Arts & Science regulations, SAAP and USAB will supersede.
Yours sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
20290439Ferguson-Wuls
Decision Date: July 5, 2022
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Rachel Ferguson-WULS
Student Email: rachelfw0@gmail.com
Dear Rachel:
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.
Rachel, this ruling is not intended to be punitive, rather it is designed to provide a 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. 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 and indeed in your best interest.
The documentation you submitted from QSAS extended only to November 2021 and does not provide support beyond that date. Additionally, the new article certainly attests to a tragic accident, but you have provided no documentation which indicate the impact that had on you during the full academic year.
The extenuating circumstances you have outlined were I am sure difficult to manage, but I encourage you to take this next year to continue to work with your therapist and then, upon your return to Queen??s, utilize the resources available as need. I strongly suggest that when you resume your studies, you pause and reflect on your progress in your courses prior to week 8 and if you have fallen behind in your course due to your health or other challenges, you should drop courses by the week 8 drop deadline.
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 next review your academic standing.
?? Follow through with your academic plan.
?? Reflect on your program choice. Are you in the right Plan/courses for your interests and aptitudes?
?? Seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance. Academic counselling is available through your Plan department, or you can book an appointment with an advisor in the Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services Office. Appointments can be booked through the ?youcanbookme?? services at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergrad-students/student-services/academic-advising/appointment-booking
?? The Student Academic Success Service (https://sass.queensu.ca/) 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, is available free of charge to all Queen??s students. SWS offers personal counselling as well as individual consultation to aid in coping with difficulties of a more personal nature.
?? Academic Consideration is a process for the university community to provide a compassionate response to assist students experiencing a short-term extenuating circumstance. You can familiarize yourself with your consideration options 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 https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/procedural-fairness and guidance on policy and procedure by visiting their website at https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/.
Please read the document which will follow this letter carefully. It contains important information concerning appeals to the Board of Studies.
Student Academic Appeals Policy (SAAP) https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senate/student-academic-appeals-policyE and Rules of Procedure for USAB https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senate/student-academic-appeals-policy/usab-rules-of-procedure are Queen??s university Senate approved appeal policies. In the event that an inconsistency arises between these policies and Arts & Science regulations, SAAP and USAB will supersede.
Yours sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
20290439Ferguson-Wuls
Generated July 5, 2022 at 9:20:43 AM.