Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 1229
Decision Date: July 7, 2015
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: youma sako
Student Email: 1ys12@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Sako:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years. 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. Your appeal does not present compelling extenuating circumstances beyond your control, and you do not provide any supporting documentation. Furthermore, I am not convinced that your academic plan will aid you in overcoming your academic difficulties. In your appeal decision letter of 7 July, 2014, it is stated that if you are to appeal a €œRequired to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years ruling€ this spring you must show significant academic improvement over the 2015-15 academic year for the appeal to be granted. This does not appear to be the case as your year GPA is 0.81 with 5 failures and one incomplete grade. While you indicate that receiving counselling has been helpful, the recent documentation from Dr. Billings indicates that your academic performance is presently moderately impaired. Given this information, I would strongly recommend that you take some time to focus on your health and well being and see some significant improvement in your recovery before returning to your studies.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit an appeal to the Board of Studies within 21 days of the date this decision was sent. Guidelines for appealing to the Board of Studies and the appeal form can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€) Do not use the on-line application for this process. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Office of the Ombudsperson for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Yours sincerely,
Sue Blake
Assistant Dean (Studies)
10026048Sako3
Decision Date: July 7, 2015
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: youma sako
Student Email: 1ys12@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Sako:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years. 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. Your appeal does not present compelling extenuating circumstances beyond your control, and you do not provide any supporting documentation. Furthermore, I am not convinced that your academic plan will aid you in overcoming your academic difficulties. In your appeal decision letter of 7 July, 2014, it is stated that if you are to appeal a €œRequired to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years ruling€ this spring you must show significant academic improvement over the 2015-15 academic year for the appeal to be granted. This does not appear to be the case as your year GPA is 0.81 with 5 failures and one incomplete grade. While you indicate that receiving counselling has been helpful, the recent documentation from Dr. Billings indicates that your academic performance is presently moderately impaired. Given this information, I would strongly recommend that you take some time to focus on your health and well being and see some significant improvement in your recovery before returning to your studies.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit an appeal to the Board of Studies within 21 days of the date this decision was sent. Guidelines for appealing to the Board of Studies and the appeal form can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€) Do not use the on-line application for this process. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Office of the Ombudsperson for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Yours sincerely,
Sue Blake
Assistant Dean (Studies)
10026048Sako3
Generated July 7, 2015 at 10:04:53 AM.