Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 1569
Decision Date: December 10, 2015
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Chelsea Sherman
Student Email: 0cas14@queensu.ca
Course: PSYC 443
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Category: Request a review of instructors' decisions on grading of final examination and/or term work
Instructor: Tara MacDonald
Additional Information: Midterm Grade
Dear Ms. Sherman:
I have carefully considered your appeal to request a review of Professor MacDonald€™s decision concerning the grading of your midterm exam in PSYC 433. After carefully reviewing your letter and documentation and consulting with the Psychology Department, I have decided that excluding your midterm grade and adding the weight of the midterm to the final exam is the fairest solution.
I would like to point out that this was a difficult decision as it falls outside of the Psychology department€™s policy. However, I have taken into consideration the fact that this was the first panic attack you experienced and therefore, you could not accurately judge whether or not you were well enough to take the exam or request an exam deferral until it was too late. I am also convinced that you were incapacitated to the degree that it affected not only your ability to complete the remainder of the exam but also the quality of work and effort that you were able to put into the answers you did manage to complete. For these reasons, I feel that an exception is warranted in this case.
Please continue to work with your personal counsellor and ensure that you are familiar with the Psychology Departmental Policy found here:
http://www.queensu.ca/psychology/undergraduate/current-students/departmental-policies
If you find that your symptoms return prior to the final exam please err on the side of caution and follow the policy which states, €œStudents who cannot perform to the best of their abilities due a serious, extenuating circumstance must inform their instructor before attempting an exam or completing a course to arrange appropriate accommodation.€ If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Faculty Office for advice and assistance.
Good luck on your exams.
Yours sincerely,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
Cc: T. MacDonald, Psychology
J. Atkinson, Psychology
10017673Sherman
Decision Date: December 10, 2015
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Chelsea Sherman
Student Email: 0cas14@queensu.ca
Course: PSYC 443
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Category: Request a review of instructors' decisions on grading of final examination and/or term work
Instructor: Tara MacDonald
Additional Information: Midterm Grade
Dear Ms. Sherman:
I have carefully considered your appeal to request a review of Professor MacDonald€™s decision concerning the grading of your midterm exam in PSYC 433. After carefully reviewing your letter and documentation and consulting with the Psychology Department, I have decided that excluding your midterm grade and adding the weight of the midterm to the final exam is the fairest solution.
I would like to point out that this was a difficult decision as it falls outside of the Psychology department€™s policy. However, I have taken into consideration the fact that this was the first panic attack you experienced and therefore, you could not accurately judge whether or not you were well enough to take the exam or request an exam deferral until it was too late. I am also convinced that you were incapacitated to the degree that it affected not only your ability to complete the remainder of the exam but also the quality of work and effort that you were able to put into the answers you did manage to complete. For these reasons, I feel that an exception is warranted in this case.
Please continue to work with your personal counsellor and ensure that you are familiar with the Psychology Departmental Policy found here:
http://www.queensu.ca/psychology/undergraduate/current-students/departmental-policies
If you find that your symptoms return prior to the final exam please err on the side of caution and follow the policy which states, €œStudents who cannot perform to the best of their abilities due a serious, extenuating circumstance must inform their instructor before attempting an exam or completing a course to arrange appropriate accommodation.€ If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Faculty Office for advice and assistance.
Good luck on your exams.
Yours sincerely,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
Cc: T. MacDonald, Psychology
J. Atkinson, Psychology
10017673Sherman
Generated December 10, 2015 at 9:10:41 AM.