Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 4735
Decision Date: July 18, 2018
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Matheson Goff
Student Email: goffmatheson@gmail.com
Dear Mr. Goff:
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.
While your appeal does present some documented extenuating circumstances beyond your control, I am not convinced that your personal challenges have been resolved or are to the point where they are being managed so you can make a successful return to your studies yet. Despite your current GPA and the circumstances you encountered this year, you proceeded to register in five courses over the summer term, an extraordinarily heavy load for any student. Your appeal also fails to include an academic plan outlining the specific steps you have taken or will take to address the academic problems you faced in the past to help you raise your GPA and return to good academic standing. Without a detailed and realistic academic plan and some evidence that you are now recovered to the point where you can make a successful return, I cannot reasonably waive this ruling. Note however, once you complete CLST 201 and STAT 263 and the final grades are posted to your transcript, we will recalculate your GPA again. If your GPA increases we will reassess your standing and notify you of any changes (including the removal of the requirement to withdraw if your GPA is at least 1.60).
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,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10145523Goff1
Decision Date: July 18, 2018
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Matheson Goff
Student Email: goffmatheson@gmail.com
Dear Mr. Goff:
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.
While your appeal does present some documented extenuating circumstances beyond your control, I am not convinced that your personal challenges have been resolved or are to the point where they are being managed so you can make a successful return to your studies yet. Despite your current GPA and the circumstances you encountered this year, you proceeded to register in five courses over the summer term, an extraordinarily heavy load for any student. Your appeal also fails to include an academic plan outlining the specific steps you have taken or will take to address the academic problems you faced in the past to help you raise your GPA and return to good academic standing. Without a detailed and realistic academic plan and some evidence that you are now recovered to the point where you can make a successful return, I cannot reasonably waive this ruling. Note however, once you complete CLST 201 and STAT 263 and the final grades are posted to your transcript, we will recalculate your GPA again. If your GPA increases we will reassess your standing and notify you of any changes (including the removal of the requirement to withdraw if your GPA is at least 1.60).
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,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
10145523Goff1
Generated July 18, 2018 at 1:28:44 PM.