Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 4008
Decision Date: February 9, 2018
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Kate Thomas
Student Email: kate.thomas@queensu.ca

Course: PHIL259
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: PSYC100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: RELS131
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2015
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Professor Danielle LaGrone

Course: LAW201
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Professor Mary-Jo Maur

Course: MUSC289
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: FREN107
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Professor Catherine Dhavernas

Course: GNDS120
Term: Winter
Year: 2017
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Professor Erin Clow


Dear Ms. Thomas:

I have carefully considered your appeal to drop PHIL 259 (F 2015), PSYC 100 (FW 2015/16) and MUSC 289 (F 2016) past the academic deadline as well as request Credit standing in RELS 131 (FW 2015/16), LAW 201 (F 2016), FREN 107 and GNDS 120 (W 2017). After reviewing your file I have decided to grant your request.

I would like to point out that while I am granting your appeal, I do so with some reservations. Personal issues or chronic illnesses that are ongoing in nature are not unforeseen circumstances. Students in these situations are aware of their challenges and are therefore expected to manage their academics accordingly by registering with Accessibility Services and dropping classes within the deadlines, not by completing courses then dropping low grades after the fact. The appeal system is not designed for and cannot be used as a mechanism for managing ongoing accommodation needs. I would recommend that you consider taking some time away from your studies until your health is able to be better managed and upon your return to classes, seek help as needed, register with Accessibility Services, consider taking a reduced course load and most importantly, monitor your progress carefully and drop classes within the drop deadlines if you find that you are not doing well.

Note that any change in academic registration (e.g. dropping courses) may impact government or private-firm student financial assistance eligibility and/or funding such as OSAP, scholarships, or bursaries. Please consult with the Student Awards Office (Office of the University Registrar, Gordon Hall) to understand the potential implications of changes to course or program registration and/or the consequences of not successfully completing the required course load. A change in academic registration may also affect a student€™s enrollment status as a full or part-time student, eligibility for student visas, or benefits through external agencies.

I am confident that in the future you will make every effort to inform yourself of the academic regulations concerning deadlines as they are outlined in Important Dates Section on the Arts and Science web page. These deadlines have been established by the Faculty of Arts and Science to ensure a fair and equitable treatment of all students and to facilitate the timely completion of university studies at Queen's.

Yours sincerely,



Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)



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