Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12136
Submitted: July 21, 2024 at 11:33:30 PM
First Name: Riley
Last Name: Kapuscinski
Pronoun: she/her
Student Number: 20115258
Email: 17rbk1@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: SOCY
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Riley Kapuscinski
46 Sandhill Crt.
Whitby, ON. L1M2J4
July 19th, 2024
Associate Deans Office (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queens University
My name is Riley Kapuscinski. In this petition, I request to take 9.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through the partner institution, Athabasca University. This is 3.0 units more than the stipulations outlined in the newly amended Academic Regulation 14.1 in the Faculty of Arts and Science, which will be effective on September 1, 2024. I require 9.0 units from SOCY at the 200 level or above to graduate with my general Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. I began my degree in Fall 2018 as an on-campus student planning to achieve a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology. However, I am now a distance student, completing my degree online. Queen’s does not offer any SOCY courses at the 200 level or above online, and therefore, I need to source these courses from a partner institution to complete my degree.
On May 24th, 2022, I was required to withdraw for a period of one year following poor academic performance. My academics had been greatly affected by a criminal court case where I was the victim of domestic violence. This incident occurred in February 2021 (as stated in my November 2021 letter to the Associate Deans Office), and the case concluded when the accused pleaded guilty in April 2022. This took a toll on not only my academics at the time but my mental health. Ashamed, I accepted the requirement to withdraw and moved away from Kingston. I met with and created a modified academic plan with Academic Advisor Karen Scanlan the following year, on April 20th, 2023, after serving my year required to withdraw from studies. In this advising meeting, I had a renewed sense of hope in my academics when Karen informed me it was possible to complete my degree as a Distance Student (Undergraduate Online Career) as I would need to study on a LOP at a partner institution to receive those remaining 9.0 SOCY credits. I would also need to pursue a general Bachelor of Arts rather than an Honours degree. Had this not been an option or a tangible plan, I would have returned to Kingston to resume my studies on campus in September 2023.
I have put forth a tremendous amount of effort in pursuing and organizing my academic plan. I am a full-time funded OSAP student at Queen’s. Throughout this process, I researched Queen’s LOP provisions, Athabasca University’s Financial Aid options and OSAP’s outside Ontario eligibility to make a decision that aligned with all parties. I consistently sought assistance from advisors at Queen’s to ensure I was taking the correct steps in the LOP process. I applied for an LOP to take SOCI 290, SOCI 216 and SOCI 321 at Athabasca University for a cumulative of 9.0 units, beginning August 1st, 2024 (Summer 2024 term). This LOP was approved; however, Athabasca does not approve full-time financial aid students for a start date of August 1st.
I contacted the Queen’s Arts and Science Student Services to modify my existing LOP so that I was able to fund my studies at Athabasca University through OSAP as a full-time student. I received conflicting information about the Academic Regulations and any new amendments. I was informed that I could take one (3.0 unit) course at Athabasca in the Summer 2024 term and two (3.0 unit) courses in the Fall 2024 term, as there was a maximum of 6.0 units accepted from a LOP per Academic Year (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Summer 2025). Due to the information I received, I registered for one (3.0 unit) course for Summer 2024 (August 1st, 2024 start date) without the assistance of OSAP. For full-time funding at Athabasca University, students must register for at least three (3.0 unit) courses with the same start date. I forfeited my full-time OSAP funding and sacrificed unexpected financial strain in order to adhere to the Queen’s Academic Regulations that were communicated to me so that I could complete my degree. I was then advised to apply for a second LOP with the remaining two (3.0 unit) courses for a start date of Fall 2024.
Below is the timeline of my efforts to organize the completion of my Queen’s University Sociology BA degree through a LOP at Athabasca University:
May 24, 2022 - Required to withdraw for a period of one year.
April 20, 2023 - I met with Academic Advisor Karen Scanlan, who advised that I could complete a BA degree online provided I took 9.0 SOCY courses at the 200 level or above on a LOP. Refer to [Image 1] and [Image 3].
June 28, 2023 - I submitted a Return to Studies form detailing that I plan to complete my degree online as a general BA. Refer to [Image 2].
June 11, 2024 - I submitted an LOP to take 3 (3.0 unit) courses at Athabasca University (SOCI 290, SOCI 216, SOCI 321) for the Summer 2024 start date – August 1st, 2024.
June 12, 2024 - I met with a Queen’s Academic Advisor through the Advising Online Drop-In Queue at 2:30 pm. Discussed the provisions of the LOP.
June 13, 2024 - I learned that I would not qualify for full-time funding with OSAP at Athabasca for an August 1st start date and that September 1st would be the next available start date for full-time financial aid students.
June 17, 2024 - Academic Resource Advisor Emma Battersby returned my LOP, and I was approved to take all three (3.0 unit) courses at Athabasca University for the Summer 2024 term. Refer to [Image 4] and [Image 5].
June 20, 2024 - I emailed asc.studentservices@queensu.ca to request that my LOP be modified to reflect a September 1st start date (Fall 2024) so that I can receive OSAP for full-time studies at Athabasca University. Refer to [Image 6].
June 25, 2024 - I received an email response from asc.studentservices@queensu.ca that was from Advisor Emma Battersby once again that informed me only 6.0 units on an LOP be accepted in an Academic Year (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Summer 2025). Refer to [Image 7].
June 25, 2024 - I responded to the asc.studentservices@queensu.ca email that I was unaware of this provision and expressed confusion as I had been approved to take 9.0 units for Summer 2024. Refer to [Image 8]. I then followed up by calling the Arts and Science Student Services office. I spoke to an advisor who informed me I could split my courses by term as the Academic Year restarted every September.
June 26, 2024 - I followed up with an email to asc.studentservices@queensu.ca outlining my plan to take one (3.0 unit) course at Athabasca beginning August 1st (Summer 2024) and two (3.0 unit) courses beginning September 1st (Fall 2024) and that I required my LOP be modified. These three courses (totalling 9.0 units) were the courses I had already been approved to take in my original LOP. Refer to [Image 9].
June 27, 2024 - I received a response from the asc.studentservices@queensu.ca email from Advisor Emma Battersby with an updated LOP for the Summer 2024 term reflecting the one course (SOCI 321). Emma advised me to submit a second LOP for the two courses in the Fall 2024 term. Refer to [Image 10] and [Image 11].
June 29, 2024 - I submitted a second LOP for the two courses in the Fall 2024 term at Athabasca University.
July 10, 2024 - I registered and paid in full for one course in the Summer 2024 term at Athabasca University (start date of August 1st, 2024). Refer to [Image 12].
July 16, 2024 - I followed up on the status of my second LOP in a phone call to the Arts and Science Student Services office. I spoke with a member of the office about my situation.
July 17, 2024 - I met with the Athabasca University Student Financial Aid Liaison, Annette Keith. Refer to [Image 13].
July 18, 2024 - I received the decision for my second LOP. Only one of the two (3.0 unit) courses that I submitted for Fall 2024 could be accepted toward my degree. Refer to [Image 14].
July 18, 2024 - I called the Arts and Science Student Services office to inquire about the decision regarding my second LOP. The office member informed me that they would look into my file, speak with their manager, and send me an email by the end of the day. I did not receive an email on July 18th. I followed up with an email to asc.studentservices@queensu.ca and Advisor Emma Battersby to express my confusion. Refer to [Image 15].
July 19, 2024 - I received an email from asc.studentservices@queensu.ca from Advisor Emma Battersby. Refer to [Image 16].
July 19, 2024 - I called the Arts and Science Student Services office to speak to the manager directly for clarification.
I ask that you grant me permission to take 9.0 units at Athabasca University (SOCI 290, SOCI 216, SOCI 321) via a letter of permission. As I have already registered for SOCI 321 for a start date of August 1st (Summer 2024) on an approved LOP, I require a letter of permission to reflect the enrollment of SOCI 290 and SOCI 216 for the 2024 Fall term at Athabasca University and to be valid for transfer back to Queen’s for credit. I have followed an academic plan set out by Queen’s advisors throughout the entire process. I now find myself in this position because of the change in LOP policies and the conflicting information I received from advisors, as documented in my timeline, and supporting documentation. I request that you consider that the amendment of Academic Regulation 14.1 impacted my previously established academic plan and that I have done everything in my power to organize the completion of my degree on a LOP without jeopardizing the OSAP funding I require.
Sincerely,
Riley Kapuscinski
20115258
46 Sandhill Crt.
Whitby, ON. L1M2J4
July 19th, 2024
Associate Deans Office (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queens University
My name is Riley Kapuscinski. In this petition, I request to take 9.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through the partner institution, Athabasca University. This is 3.0 units more than the stipulations outlined in the newly amended Academic Regulation 14.1 in the Faculty of Arts and Science, which will be effective on September 1, 2024. I require 9.0 units from SOCY at the 200 level or above to graduate with my general Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. I began my degree in Fall 2018 as an on-campus student planning to achieve a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology. However, I am now a distance student, completing my degree online. Queen’s does not offer any SOCY courses at the 200 level or above online, and therefore, I need to source these courses from a partner institution to complete my degree.
On May 24th, 2022, I was required to withdraw for a period of one year following poor academic performance. My academics had been greatly affected by a criminal court case where I was the victim of domestic violence. This incident occurred in February 2021 (as stated in my November 2021 letter to the Associate Deans Office), and the case concluded when the accused pleaded guilty in April 2022. This took a toll on not only my academics at the time but my mental health. Ashamed, I accepted the requirement to withdraw and moved away from Kingston. I met with and created a modified academic plan with Academic Advisor Karen Scanlan the following year, on April 20th, 2023, after serving my year required to withdraw from studies. In this advising meeting, I had a renewed sense of hope in my academics when Karen informed me it was possible to complete my degree as a Distance Student (Undergraduate Online Career) as I would need to study on a LOP at a partner institution to receive those remaining 9.0 SOCY credits. I would also need to pursue a general Bachelor of Arts rather than an Honours degree. Had this not been an option or a tangible plan, I would have returned to Kingston to resume my studies on campus in September 2023.
I have put forth a tremendous amount of effort in pursuing and organizing my academic plan. I am a full-time funded OSAP student at Queen’s. Throughout this process, I researched Queen’s LOP provisions, Athabasca University’s Financial Aid options and OSAP’s outside Ontario eligibility to make a decision that aligned with all parties. I consistently sought assistance from advisors at Queen’s to ensure I was taking the correct steps in the LOP process. I applied for an LOP to take SOCI 290, SOCI 216 and SOCI 321 at Athabasca University for a cumulative of 9.0 units, beginning August 1st, 2024 (Summer 2024 term). This LOP was approved; however, Athabasca does not approve full-time financial aid students for a start date of August 1st.
I contacted the Queen’s Arts and Science Student Services to modify my existing LOP so that I was able to fund my studies at Athabasca University through OSAP as a full-time student. I received conflicting information about the Academic Regulations and any new amendments. I was informed that I could take one (3.0 unit) course at Athabasca in the Summer 2024 term and two (3.0 unit) courses in the Fall 2024 term, as there was a maximum of 6.0 units accepted from a LOP per Academic Year (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Summer 2025). Due to the information I received, I registered for one (3.0 unit) course for Summer 2024 (August 1st, 2024 start date) without the assistance of OSAP. For full-time funding at Athabasca University, students must register for at least three (3.0 unit) courses with the same start date. I forfeited my full-time OSAP funding and sacrificed unexpected financial strain in order to adhere to the Queen’s Academic Regulations that were communicated to me so that I could complete my degree. I was then advised to apply for a second LOP with the remaining two (3.0 unit) courses for a start date of Fall 2024.
Below is the timeline of my efforts to organize the completion of my Queen’s University Sociology BA degree through a LOP at Athabasca University:
May 24, 2022 - Required to withdraw for a period of one year.
April 20, 2023 - I met with Academic Advisor Karen Scanlan, who advised that I could complete a BA degree online provided I took 9.0 SOCY courses at the 200 level or above on a LOP. Refer to [Image 1] and [Image 3].
June 28, 2023 - I submitted a Return to Studies form detailing that I plan to complete my degree online as a general BA. Refer to [Image 2].
June 11, 2024 - I submitted an LOP to take 3 (3.0 unit) courses at Athabasca University (SOCI 290, SOCI 216, SOCI 321) for the Summer 2024 start date – August 1st, 2024.
June 12, 2024 - I met with a Queen’s Academic Advisor through the Advising Online Drop-In Queue at 2:30 pm. Discussed the provisions of the LOP.
June 13, 2024 - I learned that I would not qualify for full-time funding with OSAP at Athabasca for an August 1st start date and that September 1st would be the next available start date for full-time financial aid students.
June 17, 2024 - Academic Resource Advisor Emma Battersby returned my LOP, and I was approved to take all three (3.0 unit) courses at Athabasca University for the Summer 2024 term. Refer to [Image 4] and [Image 5].
June 20, 2024 - I emailed asc.studentservices@queensu.ca to request that my LOP be modified to reflect a September 1st start date (Fall 2024) so that I can receive OSAP for full-time studies at Athabasca University. Refer to [Image 6].
June 25, 2024 - I received an email response from asc.studentservices@queensu.ca that was from Advisor Emma Battersby once again that informed me only 6.0 units on an LOP be accepted in an Academic Year (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Summer 2025). Refer to [Image 7].
June 25, 2024 - I responded to the asc.studentservices@queensu.ca email that I was unaware of this provision and expressed confusion as I had been approved to take 9.0 units for Summer 2024. Refer to [Image 8]. I then followed up by calling the Arts and Science Student Services office. I spoke to an advisor who informed me I could split my courses by term as the Academic Year restarted every September.
June 26, 2024 - I followed up with an email to asc.studentservices@queensu.ca outlining my plan to take one (3.0 unit) course at Athabasca beginning August 1st (Summer 2024) and two (3.0 unit) courses beginning September 1st (Fall 2024) and that I required my LOP be modified. These three courses (totalling 9.0 units) were the courses I had already been approved to take in my original LOP. Refer to [Image 9].
June 27, 2024 - I received a response from the asc.studentservices@queensu.ca email from Advisor Emma Battersby with an updated LOP for the Summer 2024 term reflecting the one course (SOCI 321). Emma advised me to submit a second LOP for the two courses in the Fall 2024 term. Refer to [Image 10] and [Image 11].
June 29, 2024 - I submitted a second LOP for the two courses in the Fall 2024 term at Athabasca University.
July 10, 2024 - I registered and paid in full for one course in the Summer 2024 term at Athabasca University (start date of August 1st, 2024). Refer to [Image 12].
July 16, 2024 - I followed up on the status of my second LOP in a phone call to the Arts and Science Student Services office. I spoke with a member of the office about my situation.
July 17, 2024 - I met with the Athabasca University Student Financial Aid Liaison, Annette Keith. Refer to [Image 13].
July 18, 2024 - I received the decision for my second LOP. Only one of the two (3.0 unit) courses that I submitted for Fall 2024 could be accepted toward my degree. Refer to [Image 14].
July 18, 2024 - I called the Arts and Science Student Services office to inquire about the decision regarding my second LOP. The office member informed me that they would look into my file, speak with their manager, and send me an email by the end of the day. I did not receive an email on July 18th. I followed up with an email to asc.studentservices@queensu.ca and Advisor Emma Battersby to express my confusion. Refer to [Image 15].
July 19, 2024 - I received an email from asc.studentservices@queensu.ca from Advisor Emma Battersby. Refer to [Image 16].
July 19, 2024 - I called the Arts and Science Student Services office to speak to the manager directly for clarification.
I ask that you grant me permission to take 9.0 units at Athabasca University (SOCI 290, SOCI 216, SOCI 321) via a letter of permission. As I have already registered for SOCI 321 for a start date of August 1st (Summer 2024) on an approved LOP, I require a letter of permission to reflect the enrollment of SOCI 290 and SOCI 216 for the 2024 Fall term at Athabasca University and to be valid for transfer back to Queen’s for credit. I have followed an academic plan set out by Queen’s advisors throughout the entire process. I now find myself in this position because of the change in LOP policies and the conflicting information I received from advisors, as documented in my timeline, and supporting documentation. I request that you consider that the amendment of Academic Regulation 14.1 impacted my previously established academic plan and that I have done everything in my power to organize the completion of my degree on a LOP without jeopardizing the OSAP funding I require.
Sincerely,
Riley Kapuscinski
20115258
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Academic Plan
A. Course of Study
1. I am in my desired degree plan and have reviewed my Academic Advisement Report in SOLUS.
2. My desired degree plan is a Sociology General Bachelor of Arts degree.
B. Full-time vs Part-time
1. I am currently enrolled in two 6.0 unit courses at Queen’s University for the Summer 2024 term that concludes on August 4th, 2024.
2. I am working full-time while completing my studies.
3. I will need to take three courses at Athabasca University but will not be considered full-time as they will not begin on the same start date. However, they will be running simultaneously.
C. Strategies for Success
1. I have encountered policy changes impacting my academic plan.
2. I need to ensure I continue to inquire about policy amendments.
3. I plan to communicate with Athabasca Financial Aid assistance and Queen’s Advisors for up-to-date information regarding LOPs.
I plan to complete my degree by studying as a distance student at the partner institution of Athabasca University in Fall 2024. These will be the last credits I require to graduate with my General Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. I plan to complete these courses with a high degree of dedication and academic success to ensure I am in good academic standing to qualify for graduation. I have set the academic goal of completing all courses before 2025.
A. Course of Study
1. I am in my desired degree plan and have reviewed my Academic Advisement Report in SOLUS.
2. My desired degree plan is a Sociology General Bachelor of Arts degree.
B. Full-time vs Part-time
1. I am currently enrolled in two 6.0 unit courses at Queen’s University for the Summer 2024 term that concludes on August 4th, 2024.
2. I am working full-time while completing my studies.
3. I will need to take three courses at Athabasca University but will not be considered full-time as they will not begin on the same start date. However, they will be running simultaneously.
C. Strategies for Success
1. I have encountered policy changes impacting my academic plan.
2. I need to ensure I continue to inquire about policy amendments.
3. I plan to communicate with Athabasca Financial Aid assistance and Queen’s Advisors for up-to-date information regarding LOPs.
I plan to complete my degree by studying as a distance student at the partner institution of Athabasca University in Fall 2024. These will be the last credits I require to graduate with my General Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. I plan to complete these courses with a high degree of dedication and academic success to ensure I am in good academic standing to qualify for graduation. I have set the academic goal of completing all courses before 2025.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC