Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 3628
Decision Date: July 4, 2017
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Jackson Howlett
Student Email: jackson.howlett@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Howlett:
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.
You made a successful appeal in your first year of studies based on the same circumstances and followed through with your plan to take the following year away from your studies to work on managing your condition. While I commend you for taking all the needed steps to actively your condition and understand that relapses can occur through no fault of your own, I must ultimately consider whether or not an early return to studies is in your best academic interests. The letter from Dr. Kamens confirms your difficulties over the winter term but it does not speak to any improvements in your condition or whether or not she expects you to be able to make a successful return to studies by this September. Unfortunately, without such confirmation I cannot reasonably allow an early return.
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,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10152683Howlett2
Decision Date: July 4, 2017
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Jackson Howlett
Student Email: jackson.howlett@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Howlett:
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.
You made a successful appeal in your first year of studies based on the same circumstances and followed through with your plan to take the following year away from your studies to work on managing your condition. While I commend you for taking all the needed steps to actively your condition and understand that relapses can occur through no fault of your own, I must ultimately consider whether or not an early return to studies is in your best academic interests. The letter from Dr. Kamens confirms your difficulties over the winter term but it does not speak to any improvements in your condition or whether or not she expects you to be able to make a successful return to studies by this September. Unfortunately, without such confirmation I cannot reasonably allow an early return.
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,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10152683Howlett2
Generated July 4, 2017 at 1:17:08 PM.