Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 7133
Decision Date: December 21, 2020
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Justin McDonald
Student Email: 18jam36@queensu.ca

Course: ECON 112
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: LAW 201
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline


Dear Justin McDonald:

I am sorry to have read in your letter of appeal the challenges you report that you have experienced this term and I have carefully considered your appeal to drop ECON 112 and LAW 201 (F 2020) past the academic deadline. After reviewing your file I have decided to deny your request.

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.

Your appeal outlines the challenges you had in this course but unfortunately the documentation you have submitted notes that you have received testing for intermittent chest discomfort but does not provide information related to the severity of your illness or the impact it would have on your studies..

This is a disappointing decision I am sure Justin, but let me remind you that if a student repeats a course, the low grade is excluded from their grade point average and the higher grade is included which would mean there would be no long term negative impact on your GPA.

I suggest, as an alternative to this appeal, that you consider submitting a request for Academic Consideration where you may be able to arrange for an Incomplete grade in these courses, which would mean you would complete them next term. Her is the link to submit a Consideration request:

https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergrad-students/academic-consideration-for-students

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).

Sincerely,



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

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