Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 5882
Decision Date: July 25, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Franklin Turkson
Student Email: 15fft@queensu.ca

Course: CHEM 281
Term: Fall
Year: 2017
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: CHEM 281
Term: Summer
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: CHEM 222
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: BIOL 201
Term: Fall
Year: 2017
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Aarssen, L., Grogan, P., Kristensen, D.

Course: BIOL 205
Term: Fall
Year: 2017
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Bendena, W.

Course: BIOL 243
Term: Fall
Year: 2017
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Nelson, W.

Course: BIOL 206
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Friesen, V., Gauthier, F.

Course: BIOL 339
Term: Fall
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Moyes, C., Robertson, M.

Course: BIOL 341
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Snedden, W., Vanderbeld, B.

Course: BIOL 202
Term: Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Birt, T., Tufts, B


Dear Franklin Turkson:

I have carefully considered your appeal to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year as well as seeking late drops in CHEM 281, BIOL 201 (F 2017), CHEM 281 (S 2018), CHEM 222 (W 2018) and receive Credit standing in BIOL 201, BIOL 205, BIOL 243 (F 2017); BIOL 206 (W 2018); BIOL 339 (F 2018); BIOL 341, BIOL 202 (W 2019) After reviewing your file, I have decided the following:

1. I will grant your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be €œRequired to Withdraw for One year€. You may now resume your studies at Queen's University.

2. I will deny your request to drop CHEM 281, BIOL 201 (F 2017), CHEM 281 (S 2018), CHEM 222 (W 2018) and receive Credit standing in BIOL 201, BIOL 205, BIOL 243 (F 2017); BIOL 206 (W 2018); BIOL 339 (F 2018); BIOL 341, BIOL 202 (W 2019).

Although the documentation submitted confirms that you experienced health related extenuating circumstances, there is not a clear indication to why these specific courses were impacted by your condition more so than your other courses. In addition to that, the information we received from the majority of your instructors suggests that your grades did not dip due to a sudden or acute illness but more so that your grades were due to poor exam performance.

As you continue in your course of study it is your responsibility to take steps for the successful completion of your program and maintain a GPA consistent with the requirements of your plan. These are some strategies that I strongly encourage you to consider:
€¢ Choose courses carefully. As you know, achieving a higher grade in a repeated course will improve your GPA. I strongly suggest you consider this course of action since it will help to ensure you will be in good academic standing and not at risk of being required to withdraw for three years when we review your academic standing again next year.
€¢ Reflect on your program choice. Are you in the right plan for your interests and aptitudes
€¢ Seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance. Academic counselling is available through an advisor in the Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services Office (main floor Dunning Hall, phone 613-533-2470) or through your plan department.
€¢ The Learning Commons in Stauffer Library also provides a range of services, including workshops designed to improve study skills and develop strategies for meeting the demands of academic life.
€¢ The Student Wellness Services Centre located in Mitchell Hall offers personal and academic counselling free of charge to all Queen's students, as well as individual consultation to aid in coping with difficulties of a more personal nature.
€¢ I encourage you to follow through with your plan to register with QSAS who can help support both your health and your academics.
€¢ If you encounter extenuating circumstances that inhibit your ability to complete course work, consider seeking Academic Consideration. More information is available at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/accommodations

Please read carefully the document which will follow this letter. It contains important information concerning your current academic standing. If you have any questions about the information, please contact the Faculty Office to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.

Going forward, you should be attentive to your progress and assess whether you are actively engaged and attending classes, completing your readings and assignments. If not, you should drop any courses in which you have fallen behind in by the end of week 8 (the drop deadline). Appeals for late drops are generally reserved for those who encounter extenuating circumstances after week 8.

Best of luck in your studies next year.

Yours sincerely,


Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)

20014943Turkson