Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12017
Submitted: June 13, 2024 at 3:13:55 PM
First Name: Aaron
Last Name: Tan
Pronoun: Mr
Preferred Name: Aaron Tan
Student Number: 20240906
Email: 20aylt@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: None
Level of Study: 1
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Jean Stephenson
I am writing to formally appeal the decision to require my withdrawal from the Faculty of Arts and Science for a minimum of three years until 2027, as communicated in your letter dated May 24, 2024. I respectfully request that the decision be withheld until my summer term grades are released.
I acknowledge my current academic standing and understand the regulations outlined in Academic Regulation 13.5. However, I am already halfway through courses for the Summer Term 2024 and believe that my performance in these courses will be able to improve my cumulative GPA to meet the 1.6 requirement set out by the Faculty . I am confident that the grades I anticipate achieving this summer will demonstrate my commitment to my studies and my ability to meet the academic standards of the Faculty.
Given the importance of these summer courses to my academic progress, I kindly ask that you consider postponing the enforcement of the withdrawal decision until the end of the Summer Term 2024 in August 2024. This additional time will allow my summer grades to be included in my academic assessment, which I believe will present a more accurate reflection of my abilities and dedication.
I am fully aware of the academic challenges I have faced in the past, and I have taken substantial steps to address them. Over the past term, I have utilized various academic resources provided by the university, including tutoring services and academic advising, to improve my performance. I have thoroughly reviewed the trend in my marks over each semester and I have identified a pattern in that while my assignments, quizzes, and lab grades generally remain at the GPA requirement, I experience significant exam-taking anxiety and do not perform as well in midterms and finals which are high-stakes evaluations. I am working through cognitive behavioural therapy-based skills to address this.
I sincerely hope that you will consider my request and allow my summer term results to be factored into the final decision regarding my academic standing. I am already working with a tutor and am committed to my education at Queen's University and am determined to meet the academic expectations set forth by the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your favorable response.
Sincerely,
Aaron Tan
I am writing to formally appeal the decision to require my withdrawal from the Faculty of Arts and Science for a minimum of three years until 2027, as communicated in your letter dated May 24, 2024. I respectfully request that the decision be withheld until my summer term grades are released.
I acknowledge my current academic standing and understand the regulations outlined in Academic Regulation 13.5. However, I am already halfway through courses for the Summer Term 2024 and believe that my performance in these courses will be able to improve my cumulative GPA to meet the 1.6 requirement set out by the Faculty . I am confident that the grades I anticipate achieving this summer will demonstrate my commitment to my studies and my ability to meet the academic standards of the Faculty.
Given the importance of these summer courses to my academic progress, I kindly ask that you consider postponing the enforcement of the withdrawal decision until the end of the Summer Term 2024 in August 2024. This additional time will allow my summer grades to be included in my academic assessment, which I believe will present a more accurate reflection of my abilities and dedication.
I am fully aware of the academic challenges I have faced in the past, and I have taken substantial steps to address them. Over the past term, I have utilized various academic resources provided by the university, including tutoring services and academic advising, to improve my performance. I have thoroughly reviewed the trend in my marks over each semester and I have identified a pattern in that while my assignments, quizzes, and lab grades generally remain at the GPA requirement, I experience significant exam-taking anxiety and do not perform as well in midterms and finals which are high-stakes evaluations. I am working through cognitive behavioural therapy-based skills to address this.
I sincerely hope that you will consider my request and allow my summer term results to be factored into the final decision regarding my academic standing. I am already working with a tutor and am committed to my education at Queen's University and am determined to meet the academic expectations set forth by the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your favorable response.
Sincerely,
Aaron Tan
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: A. Course of Study
Degree Plan Status:
I am currently registered in my desired degree plan, BSH.
I have reviewed my Academic Advisement Report in SOLUS and understand my remaining degree requirements.
Course Selection:
I have selected courses that are crucial for my degree completion and align with my academic interests and strengths for this summer.
I will consult with an academic advisor to ensure that my course selection for the following year is appropriate and viable for my academic goals.
B. Full-time vs Part-time
Course Load:
I am planning to maintain a full-time course load, enrolling in 9.0 units per term, which includes approximately 15-20 hours of classes per week plus 20+ hours for coursework and studying.
I have no incomplete work from previous academic sessions.
I do not need to work while attending school, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies.
Adjustments and Considerations:
If necessary, I will consider a part-time course load in future terms to manage my workload better and ensure I can meet academic requirements without compromising my performance.
C. Strategies for Success
Challenges Encountered and Solutions:
Time Management: I have struggled with managing my time effectively. To address this, I will use a planner to schedule my study sessions, assignments, and other responsibilities.
Exam Anxiety: I have identified that I experience significant exam-taking anxiety, which impacts my performance in high-stakes evaluations like midterms and finals. To address this, I am working through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based skills to manage and reduce my anxiety.
Study Techniques: I have had difficulty retaining information. I will employ active learning techniques, such as summarizing information in my own words, creating flashcards, and teaching concepts to peers.
Skills to Build:
Organization: I will work on organizing my study materials and notes systematically.
Critical Thinking: I will engage in activities that promote critical thinking, such as participating in study groups and discussions.
Support and Resources:
Academic Advisors: I will regularly meet with my academic advisor to ensure I am on track with my degree requirements and to get advice on course selections.
Tutoring Services: I will utilize the university's tutoring services for subjects I find challenging.
Mental Health Support: I will seek support from the university's counseling services to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Conclusion
By implementing this academic plan, I am confident that I can improve my academic performance and successfully meet the Faculty of Arts and Science's standards. I have already implemented several of these practices for my summer classes, and you may verify with my current instructors about my current grades. I am committed to making the necessary adjustments and using the available resources to ensure my success.
Thank you for considering my appeal and academic plan. I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate my improved academic standing.
Sincerely,
Aaron Tan
20240906
Degree Plan Status:
I am currently registered in my desired degree plan, BSH.
I have reviewed my Academic Advisement Report in SOLUS and understand my remaining degree requirements.
Course Selection:
I have selected courses that are crucial for my degree completion and align with my academic interests and strengths for this summer.
I will consult with an academic advisor to ensure that my course selection for the following year is appropriate and viable for my academic goals.
B. Full-time vs Part-time
Course Load:
I am planning to maintain a full-time course load, enrolling in 9.0 units per term, which includes approximately 15-20 hours of classes per week plus 20+ hours for coursework and studying.
I have no incomplete work from previous academic sessions.
I do not need to work while attending school, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies.
Adjustments and Considerations:
If necessary, I will consider a part-time course load in future terms to manage my workload better and ensure I can meet academic requirements without compromising my performance.
C. Strategies for Success
Challenges Encountered and Solutions:
Time Management: I have struggled with managing my time effectively. To address this, I will use a planner to schedule my study sessions, assignments, and other responsibilities.
Exam Anxiety: I have identified that I experience significant exam-taking anxiety, which impacts my performance in high-stakes evaluations like midterms and finals. To address this, I am working through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based skills to manage and reduce my anxiety.
Study Techniques: I have had difficulty retaining information. I will employ active learning techniques, such as summarizing information in my own words, creating flashcards, and teaching concepts to peers.
Skills to Build:
Organization: I will work on organizing my study materials and notes systematically.
Critical Thinking: I will engage in activities that promote critical thinking, such as participating in study groups and discussions.
Support and Resources:
Academic Advisors: I will regularly meet with my academic advisor to ensure I am on track with my degree requirements and to get advice on course selections.
Tutoring Services: I will utilize the university's tutoring services for subjects I find challenging.
Mental Health Support: I will seek support from the university's counseling services to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Conclusion
By implementing this academic plan, I am confident that I can improve my academic performance and successfully meet the Faculty of Arts and Science's standards. I have already implemented several of these practices for my summer classes, and you may verify with my current instructors about my current grades. I am committed to making the necessary adjustments and using the available resources to ensure my success.
Thank you for considering my appeal and academic plan. I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate my improved academic standing.
Sincerely,
Aaron Tan
20240906
Documentation
Professional Letter: Supporting Documentation 20240906.pdf
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC
Decision Letters
Level 1 Status
Status: DeniedLevel 2
Appeal Type: Level 2
ID: 277
Submitted: July 22, 2024 at 8:32:35 PM
Relevant Petition: 12017
Decision(s) Being Appealed: Waive the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years
Appeal Grounds
Appeals to the Board of Studies must include a letter based on one or more of the Grounds for Appeal (Appeal Regulation 3.4). What are the grounds you are basing your appeal on?
- The Associate Dean's decision did not follow the rules of procedural fairness. A breach of procedural fairness includes such things as the Associate Dean failed to:
- Make a reasonable decision in your appeal. A “reasonable” decision is one that is based on evidence, thought out and supported by facts and logical inferences from the facts. To be reasonable, the decision must contain adequate reasons for the conclusions.
Appeal Grounds Details: I am appealing on the grounds that the Associate Dean's decision to require my withdrawal for three years was not reasonable. A reasonable decision should be based on evidence, supported by facts, and contain adequate reasons for the conclusions. I believe that the decision in my case did not meet these criteria for the following reasons:
The Associate Dean expressed concern about my decision to take more than the recommended number of Summer term courses. This decision was made before my extenuating circumstances were fully understood and was an attempt to catch up academically. Although I realize this was not the best decision in hindsight, I have since adjusted my approach to ensure better academic planning and success. This misinterpretation of my intentions and efforts was not taken into account in the decision.
The decision to deny my appeal did not fully acknowledge the significant steps I have taken to address my challenges. I have been proactive in seeking support from personal counseling and other supports. My sister's letter which outlines my progress and plans for managing my personal circumstances, was not given due weight in the decision.
Given the importance of the Summer Term 2024 to my academic progress, I requested that the enforcement of the withdrawal decision be postponed until the end of the term to include my summer grades in my academic assessment. I am confident that my performance in these courses will demonstrate my commitment to my studies and my ability to meet the academic standards of the Faculty. The decision did not reasonably consider the potential positive impact of my summer grades on my cumulative GPA.
The Associate Dean expressed concern about my decision to take more than the recommended number of Summer term courses. This decision was made before my extenuating circumstances were fully understood and was an attempt to catch up academically. Although I realize this was not the best decision in hindsight, I have since adjusted my approach to ensure better academic planning and success. This misinterpretation of my intentions and efforts was not taken into account in the decision.
The decision to deny my appeal did not fully acknowledge the significant steps I have taken to address my challenges. I have been proactive in seeking support from personal counseling and other supports. My sister's letter which outlines my progress and plans for managing my personal circumstances, was not given due weight in the decision.
Given the importance of the Summer Term 2024 to my academic progress, I requested that the enforcement of the withdrawal decision be postponed until the end of the term to include my summer grades in my academic assessment. I am confident that my performance in these courses will demonstrate my commitment to my studies and my ability to meet the academic standards of the Faculty. The decision did not reasonably consider the potential positive impact of my summer grades on my cumulative GPA.
Appeal Letter
Appeal Letter: Dear Members of the Board of Studies,
I am writing to appeal the Associate Dean’s decision to deny my request to waive the Faculty ruling that I be
I am writing to appeal the Associate Dean’s decision to deny my request to waive the Faculty ruling that I be
Documentation
I plan to submit additional documentation at a later date: Summer Grades Transcript after the summer term
Level 2 Amendment
Appeal Type: Level 2 Amendment
ID: 289
Submitted: August 30, 2024 at 9:10:22 PM
Relevant Petition: 12017
New Information: I have started practicing CBT related skills that I have learned from previous sessions with a social worker. For this following school year I have set up appointments with a psychotherapist as I realized my initial attempts have proven to be insufficient. This summer I also have been working with a math tutor, although I have no formal documents I have attached a screenshot of a zoom session where I was taught. I've also been talking with academic advisors who helped me create a more realistic plan for the school year, which involves a lower course load with easier classes.
Appeal Grounds
Appeals to the Board of Studies must include a letter based on one or more of the Grounds for Appeal (Appeal Regulation 3.4). What are the grounds you are basing your appeal on?
- The Associate Dean's decision did not follow the rules of procedural fairness. A breach of procedural fairness includes such things as the Associate Dean failed to:
- Make a reasonable decision in your appeal. A “reasonable” decision is one that is based on evidence, thought out and supported by facts and logical inferences from the facts. To be reasonable, the decision must contain adequate reasons for the conclusions.
Documentation
Document: Zoom Session Whiteboard with Tutor.png
Document: Therapist reciept-0.pdf
Document: New Therapist Appointment.png
History
Originally submitted June 13, 2024 at 3:13:55 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| appeal_category | N/A | Other petition | Waive the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years | Kerri Andrews | 2024-06-14 9:49:23 AM | |
| status | N/A | Received | Incomplete | Kerri Andrews | 2024-06-14 9:49:30 AM | |
| status | N/A | Incomplete | In Review | Kerri Andrews | 2024-06-26 5:03:55 PM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Denied | Kerri Andrews | 2024-07-11 2:16:51 PM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D. | Kerri Andrews | 2024-07-11 2:16:51 PM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Kerri Andrews | 2024-07-11 2:19:36 PM | |
| new_appeal_level_2 | N/A | Level 2 | Level 2 Appeal ID: 277 | 20aylt | 2024-07-22 8:32:35 PM | |
| new_appeal_level_2 | N/A | Level 2 Amendment | Level 2 Appeal ID: 289 | 20aylt | 2024-08-30 9:10:22 PM | |
| status | N/A | Received | Denied | Libby Hearn | 2024-10-18 3:23:47 PM |