Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 3513
Decision Date: June 5, 2017
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: Edward Lansang
Student Email: ej.lansang@queensu.ca
Course: MATH 121
Term: Summer
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIOL 205
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIOL 243
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CHEM 211
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIOL 202
Term: Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Lansang:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. 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. There is no current documentation supplied to indicate that your mental health has improved. Your GPA has shown some improvement but we need confirmation from a healthcare professional that you are managing your circumstances in such a way that you can continue to improve your academic performance.
I will also note that although you have included a request to drop courses from the 2015/16 academic year, it cannot be heard. You made this same appeal last spring but it was denied due to a lack of documentation and no further appeal was submitted to the Board of Studies. The Associate/Assistant Dean cannot hear again an appeal of the same matter after a decision has been made and the deadline to appeal to the Board of Studies has lapsed.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a year has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. Upon your return we hope that you will take advantage of the support
services available to you at Queen's. In returning to a regular course of study it will be your responsibility to choose courses carefully, seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance, and maintain an average consistent with the requirements for successful completion of your program.
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).
Yours sincerely,
Sue Blake
Assistant Dean (Studies)
10134021Lansang2
Decision Date: June 5, 2017
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: Edward Lansang
Student Email: ej.lansang@queensu.ca
Course: MATH 121
Term: Summer
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIOL 205
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIOL 243
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CHEM 211
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIOL 202
Term: Winter
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Mr. Lansang:
I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. 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. There is no current documentation supplied to indicate that your mental health has improved. Your GPA has shown some improvement but we need confirmation from a healthcare professional that you are managing your circumstances in such a way that you can continue to improve your academic performance.
I will also note that although you have included a request to drop courses from the 2015/16 academic year, it cannot be heard. You made this same appeal last spring but it was denied due to a lack of documentation and no further appeal was submitted to the Board of Studies. The Associate/Assistant Dean cannot hear again an appeal of the same matter after a decision has been made and the deadline to appeal to the Board of Studies has lapsed.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a year has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. Upon your return we hope that you will take advantage of the support
services available to you at Queen's. In returning to a regular course of study it will be your responsibility to choose courses carefully, seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance, and maintain an average consistent with the requirements for successful completion of your program.
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).
Yours sincerely,
Sue Blake
Assistant Dean (Studies)
10134021Lansang2
Generated June 5, 2017 at 1:33:47 PM.