Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 7135
Decision Date: January 18, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Ryan Lai
Student Email: 18rkkl@queensu.ca
Course: BIOL 102
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Ryan Lai:
I have read with interest your appeal to drop BIOL 102 (F 2020), taking note of the circumstances you outlined, and I am sorry for your loss. After reviewing your appeal fully, 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. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance.
I am certainly sympathetic to your situation and realize that this is a disappointing decision, however the passing of your grandfather was well before the drop date deadline for this course and I cannot in good conscience adjust your academic record. I know you have been warned of this in previous appeals Ryan, but it is important that you to carefully evaluate your progress in a course prior to the drop deadline date and if you have not kept up with the course work, you should drop the course by the drop deadline.
Ryan, I am concerned that this is your third appeal, all of which have been denied, so let me re-iterate that the drop deadline is set to allow students time to assess their progress in a class and withdraw without any academic penalty if they feel that they cannot keep up with the demands or have the academic background needed to successfully complete it.
I suggest that you consider meeting with an Academic Advisor in Arts and Science (you can book an appointment by calling 613-533-2470) if you have questions about managing your academics or you may want to consider working with Student Academic Support Services (SASS) who can assist you with developing your academic skills. I also want to point out that should you run into difficulties in the future, you may want to request Academic Consideration where extensions may be a possible remedy to help during difficult periods. Here is the link to information about that process: 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)
20126732Lai2
Decision Date: January 18, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Ryan Lai
Student Email: 18rkkl@queensu.ca
Course: BIOL 102
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Ryan Lai:
I have read with interest your appeal to drop BIOL 102 (F 2020), taking note of the circumstances you outlined, and I am sorry for your loss. After reviewing your appeal fully, 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. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance.
I am certainly sympathetic to your situation and realize that this is a disappointing decision, however the passing of your grandfather was well before the drop date deadline for this course and I cannot in good conscience adjust your academic record. I know you have been warned of this in previous appeals Ryan, but it is important that you to carefully evaluate your progress in a course prior to the drop deadline date and if you have not kept up with the course work, you should drop the course by the drop deadline.
Ryan, I am concerned that this is your third appeal, all of which have been denied, so let me re-iterate that the drop deadline is set to allow students time to assess their progress in a class and withdraw without any academic penalty if they feel that they cannot keep up with the demands or have the academic background needed to successfully complete it.
I suggest that you consider meeting with an Academic Advisor in Arts and Science (you can book an appointment by calling 613-533-2470) if you have questions about managing your academics or you may want to consider working with Student Academic Support Services (SASS) who can assist you with developing your academic skills. I also want to point out that should you run into difficulties in the future, you may want to request Academic Consideration where extensions may be a possible remedy to help during difficult periods. Here is the link to information about that process: 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)
20126732Lai2
Generated January 18, 2021 at 1:14:50 PM.