Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 3622
Decision Date: July 17, 2017
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: Brad Inniss
Student Email: 13bci@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Inniss:
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.
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 documentation supplied with your appeal related to the medical situation in your family that confirms the timeline and the effect it had on your coursework. In reviewing your file, it appears that you met with an academic advisor at the beginning of the year to go over the terms of academic probation. At this time, you were advised to drop courses if your grades fell below the C- range to avoid a requirement to withdraw but it appears that you did not follow this advice. Lastly, I am not convinced that your academic plan is feasible as you have only taken one 3.0 unit course in GPHY and you are lacking HLTH 101. While it is clear that you had a difficult year and you are eager to return to your studies, I cannot reasonably allow an early return without strong documentation to confirm the timeline, severity and impact that your extenuating circumstances had on your studies as well as some confirmation from a professional that your circumstances are now being managed in such a way that you are able to make a successful 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,
Sue Blake
Assistant Dean (Studies)
10143739Inniss1
Decision Date: July 17, 2017
Associate Dean: Sue Blake
Student Name: Brad Inniss
Student Email: 13bci@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Inniss:
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.
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 documentation supplied with your appeal related to the medical situation in your family that confirms the timeline and the effect it had on your coursework. In reviewing your file, it appears that you met with an academic advisor at the beginning of the year to go over the terms of academic probation. At this time, you were advised to drop courses if your grades fell below the C- range to avoid a requirement to withdraw but it appears that you did not follow this advice. Lastly, I am not convinced that your academic plan is feasible as you have only taken one 3.0 unit course in GPHY and you are lacking HLTH 101. While it is clear that you had a difficult year and you are eager to return to your studies, I cannot reasonably allow an early return without strong documentation to confirm the timeline, severity and impact that your extenuating circumstances had on your studies as well as some confirmation from a professional that your circumstances are now being managed in such a way that you are able to make a successful 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,
Sue Blake
Assistant Dean (Studies)
10143739Inniss1
Generated July 17, 2017 at 8:57:23 AM.