Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 6224
Decision Date: November 18, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Rachael Goleski
Student Email: 16rjg@queensu.ca
Course: SPAN 112
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Johanne de la Parra
Course: PSYC 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Meghan Norris
Dear Rachael Goleski:
I am sorry to have read that you struggled with health related challenges during the Winter term 2018 and I understand that you are seeking Credit standing in PSYC 100 (FW 2017/18) and SPAN 112 (W 2018) due to the impact those circumstances had on these courses. After reviewing your appeal letter and the information we have received from your instructors, I have decided to deny your request.
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.
I am certainly sympathetic to your situation and realize that this is a disappointing decision, however, there is no relevant documentation submitted which confirms the severity and impact your circumstances had on these courses. In addition, the information I received from your PSYC 100 instructor offers proof that you struggled in this course during the full year and not just after the Christmas break. Both instructors have indicated that the grades received accurately reflects the learning outcomes you achieved in these courses and is a clear reflection of your mastery of the course content.
Going forward, I suggest that you inform yourself of the academic regulations concerning deadlines as they are outlined in the Important Dates section on the Arts and Science web page and assess your progress in your courses or discuss your options with an Academic Advisor during week 7 or 8 of the term. If you find that you have fallen behind in your attendance, readings or assignments, it is your responsibility to drop by the end of week 8.
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. The Office of the Ombudsman can also assist students with advice about policies and procedures. You may contact the Ombudsman at ombuds@queensu.ca or by phone at 613-533-6495.
Sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies) 20052232Goleski
Decision Date: November 18, 2019
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Rachael Goleski
Student Email: 16rjg@queensu.ca
Course: SPAN 112
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Johanne de la Parra
Course: PSYC 100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2018
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Meghan Norris
Dear Rachael Goleski:
I am sorry to have read that you struggled with health related challenges during the Winter term 2018 and I understand that you are seeking Credit standing in PSYC 100 (FW 2017/18) and SPAN 112 (W 2018) due to the impact those circumstances had on these courses. After reviewing your appeal letter and the information we have received from your instructors, I have decided to deny your request.
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.
I am certainly sympathetic to your situation and realize that this is a disappointing decision, however, there is no relevant documentation submitted which confirms the severity and impact your circumstances had on these courses. In addition, the information I received from your PSYC 100 instructor offers proof that you struggled in this course during the full year and not just after the Christmas break. Both instructors have indicated that the grades received accurately reflects the learning outcomes you achieved in these courses and is a clear reflection of your mastery of the course content.
Going forward, I suggest that you inform yourself of the academic regulations concerning deadlines as they are outlined in the Important Dates section on the Arts and Science web page and assess your progress in your courses or discuss your options with an Academic Advisor during week 7 or 8 of the term. If you find that you have fallen behind in your attendance, readings or assignments, it is your responsibility to drop by the end of week 8.
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. The Office of the Ombudsman can also assist students with advice about policies and procedures. You may contact the Ombudsman at ombuds@queensu.ca or by phone at 613-533-6495.
Sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies) 20052232Goleski
Generated November 18, 2019 at 2:34:24 PM.