Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 210
Decision Date: July 3, 2014
Associate Dean: J. Hugh Horton, Ph.D.
Student Name: Joel Corbin
Student Email: 11jc102@queensu.ca
Course: GNDS 125
Term: Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: PSYC 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Mr. Joel Corbin
11jc102@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Corbin:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop GNDS 125 and PSYC 100B (W 2014) past the academic deadline as well as 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. While your appeal does present some compelling extenuating circumstances beyond your control, you do not provide any sufficient supporting documentation that confirms the full timeline and severity of all your circumstances as well as the impact that they each had on your academic studies. Furthermore, I am not convinced that your academic plan will aid you in overcoming your academic difficulties. From your file it appears that you had one requirement to withdraw already waived last year (June 2013). At that time you were advised to seek academic and health counselling and in your academic plan you committed to use these services to help resolve your ongoing challenges. Unfortunately, there is little evidence presented to demonstrate that you followed your academic plan or took any significant steps to address your difficulties. For these reasons I cannot grant your request.
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,
J. Hugh Horton, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10051697Corbin2
Decision Date: July 3, 2014
Associate Dean: J. Hugh Horton, Ph.D.
Student Name: Joel Corbin
Student Email: 11jc102@queensu.ca
Course: GNDS 125
Term: Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: PSYC 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Mr. Joel Corbin
11jc102@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Corbin:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop GNDS 125 and PSYC 100B (W 2014) past the academic deadline as well as 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. While your appeal does present some compelling extenuating circumstances beyond your control, you do not provide any sufficient supporting documentation that confirms the full timeline and severity of all your circumstances as well as the impact that they each had on your academic studies. Furthermore, I am not convinced that your academic plan will aid you in overcoming your academic difficulties. From your file it appears that you had one requirement to withdraw already waived last year (June 2013). At that time you were advised to seek academic and health counselling and in your academic plan you committed to use these services to help resolve your ongoing challenges. Unfortunately, there is little evidence presented to demonstrate that you followed your academic plan or took any significant steps to address your difficulties. For these reasons I cannot grant your request.
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,
J. Hugh Horton, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10051697Corbin2
Generated July 3, 2014 at 8:56:22 AM.