Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 2320
Decision Date: June 20, 2016
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Evan Carr
Student Email: 11ejc8@queensu.ca
Course: MUSC 178B
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Request a review of instructors' decisions on grading of final examination and/or term work
Instructor: Dan Tremblay
Additional Information: Final Grade
Dear Mr. Carr:
I have carefully considered your request to have your grade in MUSC 178 re-evaluated. After reviewing your concerns along with the feedback supplied by the instructor and Dr. Lind, the Chair of Undergraduate Studies, I have determined that the grade of F assigned will stand.
Your appeal letter states that your two absences from the fall term were due to joining MUSC 178 late and two of your absences from the winter term were due to having to miss class to meet a deadline for another class and to be fitted for your uniform for your summer job. In reviewing your file carefully, it appears that your appeal requesting to add MUSC 178 late was granted on December 10 and at the time this decision was sent, your attendance in the course was 100, as confirmed by you in your appeal letter as well as in the email from Professor Tremblay. In regards to the winter term absences described, these are not considered to be extenuating circumstances outside of your personal control that would warrant waiving the course requirements. Students are responsible for managing their time and their workloads carefully to ensure that they can fulfill the academic responsibilities they committed themselves to when registering in courses. While I understand that you had responsibilities to fulfill as part of your position with Fort Henry, choosing to schedule your appointment for a uniform fitting during a time that conflicted with your ensemble was a decision you made that was within your control and you were well aware of the rules concerning absences when you chose to miss these classes. Furthermore, there is no indication in your appeal letter of the specific dates or explanations of your absences over the fall term and no explanation supplied for the additional two absences over the winter term.
Finally, I will address the course syllabus and your argument that you did not receive adequate feedback concerning your performance in MUSC 178. Dr. Lind confirmed that all students in ensemble courses receive a course syllabus and the course syllabus as well as the course description listed in the Academic Calendar for MUSC 178 clearly indicates that regular attendance and participation are mandatory to receive course credit. Dr. Lind also supplied an email from Professor Tremblay to you on May 30, 2016 explaining why you received a failing grade in this course and supplied you with feedback verbally in February expressing his concern about the number of classes you missed. The drop deadline for this course was Friday, February 26 which allowed you a sufficient amount of time to seek feedback from Professor Tremblay and determine whether or not you could successfully meet the requirements for this course. For all the reasons explained, I cannot reasonably grant your request.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit an appeal to the Board of Studies within 21 days of the date this decision was sent. Guidelines for appealing to the Board of Studies and the appeal form can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€) Do not use the on-line application for this process. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Office of the Ombudsman for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Sincerely,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10054553Carr
Decision Date: June 20, 2016
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Evan Carr
Student Email: 11ejc8@queensu.ca
Course: MUSC 178B
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Request a review of instructors' decisions on grading of final examination and/or term work
Instructor: Dan Tremblay
Additional Information: Final Grade
Dear Mr. Carr:
I have carefully considered your request to have your grade in MUSC 178 re-evaluated. After reviewing your concerns along with the feedback supplied by the instructor and Dr. Lind, the Chair of Undergraduate Studies, I have determined that the grade of F assigned will stand.
Your appeal letter states that your two absences from the fall term were due to joining MUSC 178 late and two of your absences from the winter term were due to having to miss class to meet a deadline for another class and to be fitted for your uniform for your summer job. In reviewing your file carefully, it appears that your appeal requesting to add MUSC 178 late was granted on December 10 and at the time this decision was sent, your attendance in the course was 100, as confirmed by you in your appeal letter as well as in the email from Professor Tremblay. In regards to the winter term absences described, these are not considered to be extenuating circumstances outside of your personal control that would warrant waiving the course requirements. Students are responsible for managing their time and their workloads carefully to ensure that they can fulfill the academic responsibilities they committed themselves to when registering in courses. While I understand that you had responsibilities to fulfill as part of your position with Fort Henry, choosing to schedule your appointment for a uniform fitting during a time that conflicted with your ensemble was a decision you made that was within your control and you were well aware of the rules concerning absences when you chose to miss these classes. Furthermore, there is no indication in your appeal letter of the specific dates or explanations of your absences over the fall term and no explanation supplied for the additional two absences over the winter term.
Finally, I will address the course syllabus and your argument that you did not receive adequate feedback concerning your performance in MUSC 178. Dr. Lind confirmed that all students in ensemble courses receive a course syllabus and the course syllabus as well as the course description listed in the Academic Calendar for MUSC 178 clearly indicates that regular attendance and participation are mandatory to receive course credit. Dr. Lind also supplied an email from Professor Tremblay to you on May 30, 2016 explaining why you received a failing grade in this course and supplied you with feedback verbally in February expressing his concern about the number of classes you missed. The drop deadline for this course was Friday, February 26 which allowed you a sufficient amount of time to seek feedback from Professor Tremblay and determine whether or not you could successfully meet the requirements for this course. For all the reasons explained, I cannot reasonably grant your request.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit an appeal to the Board of Studies within 21 days of the date this decision was sent. Guidelines for appealing to the Board of Studies and the appeal form can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€) Do not use the on-line application for this process. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Office of the Ombudsman for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Sincerely,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10054553Carr
Generated June 20, 2016 at 1:12:18 PM.