Decision Letter
Submission Number: 12204
Decision Date: October 28, 2024
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Bianca Blackwood
Student Email: 19bsb1@queensu.ca
Dear Bianca:
I have carefully considered your petition to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a Letter of Permission, specifically your request to take 9.0 units of courses at York University, during the 2024/2025 academic year. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request.
As you know, Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulation 3.3.1.7 at queensu.ca/academic-calendar/arts-science/appeal-regulations/ stress that petition requests to take courses at another institution must directly address how this is necessary due to extenuating circumstances or an exceptional academic opportunity. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to their academic performance. These kinds of extraordinary situations should be supported by official documentation from a health care practitioner or other relevant professional. The integrity of Arts and Science transcripts in general would be greatly diminished if the Faculty were to effect changes to students’ records without clear and compelling documentation indicating that the student’s performance was significantly compromised by circumstances beyond their control.
I am sympathetic to your situation and understand that this is a difficult decision, however, I want you to know that I considered this request very thoroughly. In making this decision, I reviewed your Petition Letter and your academic transcript.
I acknowledge the health-related extenuating circumstances that you reported in your petition letter and understand that you are currently living at home to remain close to your support system. I have however, denied this request as your petition didn’t include documentation to confirm that extenuating circumstances are preventing you from being able to return to your in-person studies at Queen’s University during the 2024/2025 academic year.
Biance, I want to remind you that a student on a degree program in the Faculty of Arts and Science may be permitted to take up to 6.0 units of undergraduate classes elsewhere for credit toward a degree offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science via a Letter of Permission. I encourage you to consider taking 6.0 units from HIST 333 – 499 at York University and then returning to Queen’s in the Fall of 2025 to complete your final FREN Minor requirements. Alternately, you could consider dropping your FREN Minor so that you can complete your degree with your final 6.0 units of HIST courses. I encourage you to connect with an Academic Advisor to chat about your academic options so that you can establish a plan moving forward.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean’s decision to the Board of Studies, information and deadlines can be found at 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 queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/procedural-fairness and guidance on policy and procedure by visiting their website at queensu.ca/ombuds/.
Sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Decision Date: October 28, 2024
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Bianca Blackwood
Student Email: 19bsb1@queensu.ca
Dear Bianca:
I have carefully considered your petition to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a Letter of Permission, specifically your request to take 9.0 units of courses at York University, during the 2024/2025 academic year. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request.
As you know, Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulation 3.3.1.7 at queensu.ca/academic-calendar/arts-science/appeal-regulations/ stress that petition requests to take courses at another institution must directly address how this is necessary due to extenuating circumstances or an exceptional academic opportunity. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to their academic performance. These kinds of extraordinary situations should be supported by official documentation from a health care practitioner or other relevant professional. The integrity of Arts and Science transcripts in general would be greatly diminished if the Faculty were to effect changes to students’ records without clear and compelling documentation indicating that the student’s performance was significantly compromised by circumstances beyond their control.
I am sympathetic to your situation and understand that this is a difficult decision, however, I want you to know that I considered this request very thoroughly. In making this decision, I reviewed your Petition Letter and your academic transcript.
I acknowledge the health-related extenuating circumstances that you reported in your petition letter and understand that you are currently living at home to remain close to your support system. I have however, denied this request as your petition didn’t include documentation to confirm that extenuating circumstances are preventing you from being able to return to your in-person studies at Queen’s University during the 2024/2025 academic year.
Biance, I want to remind you that a student on a degree program in the Faculty of Arts and Science may be permitted to take up to 6.0 units of undergraduate classes elsewhere for credit toward a degree offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science via a Letter of Permission. I encourage you to consider taking 6.0 units from HIST 333 – 499 at York University and then returning to Queen’s in the Fall of 2025 to complete your final FREN Minor requirements. Alternately, you could consider dropping your FREN Minor so that you can complete your degree with your final 6.0 units of HIST courses. I encourage you to connect with an Academic Advisor to chat about your academic options so that you can establish a plan moving forward.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean’s decision to the Board of Studies, information and deadlines can be found at 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 queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/procedural-fairness and guidance on policy and procedure by visiting their website at queensu.ca/ombuds/.
Sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Generated October 28, 2024 at 11:52:04 AM.