Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 6433
Decision Date: February 18, 2020
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Kathryn Manley
Student Email: 15ksm7@queensu.ca
Course: ANAT 315
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Ron Easteal
Dear Kathryn Manley:
I am sorry to have read that you continued to struggle with the loss of your mother during the Fall term 2019 and I understand that you are seeking Credit standing in ANAT 315 (F 2019) due to the impact that circumstance had on this course. After reviewing your appeal letter and the information we have received from your instructor, 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 the difficult circumstances you have experienced and the passing of your mother was in April 2019, which was prior to the November 1st, 2019 drop date. Since you were aware that this course was largely memory based and you were struggling, it was your responsibility to drop the course by that drop date. The grade you have received is an accurate reflection of your mastery in this course and I cannot in good conscience alter your transcript in this instance.
Kathryn, I am confident that this grade will not harm your academic pursuits in the future since you have done so well in your other courses. I am impressed by the grades you have attained and how you have demonstrated great resilience as you move towards graduation.
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. You may contact the Office of the University Ombudsperson for information about student rights and responsibilities as well as guidance on policy and procedure (www.queensu.ca/ombuds).
Best of luck in your continued recovery and in your courses this term.
Sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
20019880Manley1
Decision Date: February 18, 2020
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Kathryn Manley
Student Email: 15ksm7@queensu.ca
Course: ANAT 315
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Ron Easteal
Dear Kathryn Manley:
I am sorry to have read that you continued to struggle with the loss of your mother during the Fall term 2019 and I understand that you are seeking Credit standing in ANAT 315 (F 2019) due to the impact that circumstance had on this course. After reviewing your appeal letter and the information we have received from your instructor, 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 the difficult circumstances you have experienced and the passing of your mother was in April 2019, which was prior to the November 1st, 2019 drop date. Since you were aware that this course was largely memory based and you were struggling, it was your responsibility to drop the course by that drop date. The grade you have received is an accurate reflection of your mastery in this course and I cannot in good conscience alter your transcript in this instance.
Kathryn, I am confident that this grade will not harm your academic pursuits in the future since you have done so well in your other courses. I am impressed by the grades you have attained and how you have demonstrated great resilience as you move towards graduation.
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. You may contact the Office of the University Ombudsperson for information about student rights and responsibilities as well as guidance on policy and procedure (www.queensu.ca/ombuds).
Best of luck in your continued recovery and in your courses this term.
Sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
20019880Manley1
Generated February 18, 2020 at 8:51:53 AM.