Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 7828
Decision Date: June 28, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: zahra matcheswalla
Student Email: zeeadilm@gmail.com

Dear Zahra Matcheswalla:

I was sorry to read of the difficulties you experienced this year had I have carefully considered your appeal to waive your €œRequirement to Withdraw for One Year€. After reviewing your file, I have decided to drop CLST 102 and GPHY 101 (F20) which will therefore remove the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year.. You may now resume your studies at Queen's University.

I have granted this appeal based on the challenges you outlined but I strongly suggest that you consider taking a reduced course load for both the upcoming 2021 Fall and 2022 Winter terms. It is my hope that the slower pace of part-time study will allow you sufficient time to remedy the personal and academic difficulties you have faced and thereby enable you to be more successful in your future studies.

I also want to remind you to pause and evaluate your progress in your courses during week 7 of term and drop courses that you are behind in, or not achieving the grades you desire, by that week 8 drop date deadline. 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 at Queen's.

As you continue in your course of study it is your responsibility to take steps for the successful completion of your program and maintain a GPA consistent with the requirements of your plan. These are some strategies that I strongly encourage you to consider:
€¢ Choose courses carefully. As you know, achieving a higher grade in a repeated course will improve your GPA. This course of action will help to ensure you will be in good academic standing and not at risk of being required to withdraw for three years.
€¢ Reflect on your program choice. Are you in the right plan for your interests and aptitudes
€¢ Seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance. Academic counselling is available through an advisor in the Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services Office (main floor Dunning Hall, phone 613-533-2470) or through your Plan department.
€¢ Student Academic Success Services (SASS) https://sass.queensu.ca/ in Stauffer Library also provides a range of services, including workshops designed to improve study skills and develop strategies for meeting the demands of academic life.
€¢ The Student Wellness Services Centre https://www.queensu.ca/studentwellness/ located in Mitchell Hall, offers personal and counselling free of charge to all Queen's students, as well as individual consultation to aid in coping with difficulties of a more personal nature.
€¢ Familiarize yourself with the Academic Consideration options which you can review at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/accommodations.

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 well in the upcoming year.

Yours sincerely,

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