Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 6144
Decision Date: October 21, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Scotlynn Jones
Student Email: 17smj4@queensu.ca

Course: MATH 121
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: PHYS 117
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: AnneTopper

Course: PSYC 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Meghan Norris


Dear Scotlynn Jones:

I was sorry to read of the challenges you faced last year and understand that these were difficult circumstances to deal with. I have carefully considered your appeal to drop MATH 121 (FW 2018/19) past the academic deadline and receive Credit standing in PHYS 117, PSYC 100 (FW 2018/19). After reviewing your file I have decided the following:

1. To grant your appeal to drop MATH 121 (FW 2018/19).

2. To deny your request for Credit standing in PHYS 117 and PSYC 100 (FW 2018/19). The instructors in these courses advised that the grades accurately reflect the learning outcomes that were achieved. Since you failed both the mid-year and final exams, I cannot in good conscience change your grades in these courses. As you know, Academic Regulation 10.3.2. states that, Credit standing in a course is reserved for situations in which a student, who has completed all of the work in the course including the final examination, and achieved a passing grade in the course, but because of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond their control, earned a substantially lower grade than might have been expected, normally a grade of C or lower.€ Credit standing is only granted in cases where there are well documented and unforeseen extenuating circumstances outside of a student€™s control. The integrity of Arts and Science transcripts in general would be greatly diminished if the Faculty were to effect changes to students€™ records without clear and compelling documentation indicating that the student€™s performance was significantly compromised by extenuating circumstances beyond his or her control.

If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, information and deadlines can be found at 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 the Office of the Ombudsman (www.queensu.ca/ombudsman) for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative.

I encourage you to continue to seek out medical supports as you deal with the circumstances outlined and I strongly suggest that you pause and evaluate your progress in your courses during week 7 of term. If you have fallen behind in your studies due to your health or other extenuating circumstances, you should drop courses by the week 8 drop deadline date.

Note that any change in academic registration may impact government or private-firm student financial assistance eligibility and/or funding. 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.

I wish you continued success in your degree progression.

Sincerely,


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

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