Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 6916
Decision Date: September 21, 2020
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Alizah Beg
Student Email: alizahbeg16@gmail.com

Course: BCHM 218
Term: Summer
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: PHGY 216
Term: Summer
Year: 2020
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Chris Ward

CORRECTED RESPONSE

Dear Alizah Beg:

I was sorry to read of the challenges you faced this summer and understand that these were difficult circumstances to deal with. I have carefully considered your appeal to drop BCHM 218 (S 2020) past the academic deadline and receive Credit standing in PHGY 216 (S 2020). After reviewing your file I have decided the following:

1. To grant your appeal to drop BCHM 218 (S 2020).

2. To deny your request for Credit standing in PHGY 216 (S 2020). 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 University Ombudsperson for information about student rights and responsibilities as well as guidance on policy and procedure (www.queensu.ca/ombuds).

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 (Academic)

20035767Beg