Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 191
Decision Date: June 26, 2014
Associate Dean: Johanne Bnard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Francesca Pietrobon
Student Email: 0fp9@queensu.ca
Ms. Francesca Pietrobon
0fp9@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Pietrobon:
I have carefully considered your appeal 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.
As you already know, the academic requirements in the Faculty of Arts and Science are clearly outlined in the Academic Regulation section of the Calendar. The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling is designed to provide the student with time away from the university to reflect on and remedy the factors impeding their academic 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 beyond his or her control. The requirement to withdraw is waived only in rare and exceptional circumstances where documentation makes clear that the difficulties are temporary rather than ongoing or that these difficulties have been dealt with in such a way that the student may make a successful return to the university. While it is clear that you 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.
Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. Additionally, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional. While your appeal does explain that you decided to begin seeking treatment for your ADHD in March, your documentation from Dr. Borins of June 5, 2014 simply states that you €œreported improvement in your focus after starting treatment.€ Unfortunately, this document doesn€™t confirm whether or not the treatment has worked yet to the point where it is expected that you will be able to achieve academic success, should you be permitted to return to your studies next year. Without such confirmation, I cannot reasonably grant your request. Given that it is still early in the treatment process, I think it would be beneficial for you to take the next year away from your studies to concentrate on your treatment and your academic plan so you can make a full and strong recovery upon your return in 2015/16.
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 choose courses carefully, seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance, and maintain an average consistent with the requirements for successful completion of your program.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit a letter of intent to appeal within 21 days of receiving this decision. Appeal forms are available from this office (F200 Mackintosh-Corry Hall) or on the web: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/help/forms General information on appeals is available at http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/academics/academic-appeals. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Dispute Resolution Mechanisms Coordinator for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 153 Richardson Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (drm@queensu.ca).
Yours sincerely,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
1008161Pietrobon
Decision Date: June 26, 2014
Associate Dean: Johanne Bnard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Francesca Pietrobon
Student Email: 0fp9@queensu.ca
Ms. Francesca Pietrobon
0fp9@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Pietrobon:
I have carefully considered your appeal 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.
As you already know, the academic requirements in the Faculty of Arts and Science are clearly outlined in the Academic Regulation section of the Calendar. The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling is designed to provide the student with time away from the university to reflect on and remedy the factors impeding their academic 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 beyond his or her control. The requirement to withdraw is waived only in rare and exceptional circumstances where documentation makes clear that the difficulties are temporary rather than ongoing or that these difficulties have been dealt with in such a way that the student may make a successful return to the university. While it is clear that you 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.
Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. Additionally, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional. While your appeal does explain that you decided to begin seeking treatment for your ADHD in March, your documentation from Dr. Borins of June 5, 2014 simply states that you €œreported improvement in your focus after starting treatment.€ Unfortunately, this document doesn€™t confirm whether or not the treatment has worked yet to the point where it is expected that you will be able to achieve academic success, should you be permitted to return to your studies next year. Without such confirmation, I cannot reasonably grant your request. Given that it is still early in the treatment process, I think it would be beneficial for you to take the next year away from your studies to concentrate on your treatment and your academic plan so you can make a full and strong recovery upon your return in 2015/16.
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 choose courses carefully, seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance, and maintain an average consistent with the requirements for successful completion of your program.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit a letter of intent to appeal within 21 days of receiving this decision. Appeal forms are available from this office (F200 Mackintosh-Corry Hall) or on the web: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/help/forms General information on appeals is available at http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/academics/academic-appeals. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Dispute Resolution Mechanisms Coordinator for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 153 Richardson Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (drm@queensu.ca).
Yours sincerely,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
1008161Pietrobon
Generated June 26, 2014 at 8:44:16 AM.