Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 7082
Decision Date: December 21, 2020
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Maria Hervas
Student Email: mariahervas0@gmail.com

Course: WRIT 125
Term: Summer
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: FILM 260
Term: Summer
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: FILM 217
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: FILM 342
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline


Dear Maria Hervas:

I was sorry to read of the challenges you outlined and I have carefully considered your appeal to drop WRIT 125, FILM 260 (S 2020) and FILM 217, FILM 342 (F 2020). After reviewing your file I have decided the following:

1. To grant your appeal to drop FILM 217 and FILM 342 (F 2020). I recognize that the circumstances that you outlined inhibited your academic success during this term and your documentation supports this timeline.

2. To deny your request to drop WRIT 125 and FILM 260 (S 2020). As you know, courses must be dropped on SOLUS within the published deadlines. The Academic Regulations (Appeal of Academic Decisions, IIIb) stress that exceptions to this will only be waived under extenuating circumstances. 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 circumstances beyond his or her control. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic and supported by documentation. The documentation you submitted does not support the summer term timeline and competing demands, such as a job, in not considered an extenuating circumstance.

I am also warning you that the appeals process is not meant to be used to manage a chronic condition. An appeal based on the same circumstances may not be granted in the future. I encourage you to consider registering with QSAS to work with an accommodation advisor who can help you manage both your health and your academics if your circumstances are ongoing. This could include taking a lighter course load and would include evaluating the impact of your health on your studies prior to week 8 of term. The drop deadlines, as they have been outlined in the €œImportant Dates€ section on the Arts and Science web page, have been established by the Faculty of Arts and Science to ensure a fair and equitable treatment of all students and to facilitate the timely completion of university studies at Queen's.

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).

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.

Sincerely,


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

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