Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 7903
Decision Date: July 15, 2021
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Joshua Pinto
Student Email: joshua.pinto@queensu.ca
Course: ECON 223
Term: Summer
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 110
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 225
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 280
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 339
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BMED 173
Term: Winter
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 151
Term: Winter
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: ECON 255
Term: Winter
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 251
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 326
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: RELS 163
Term: Winter
Year: 2021
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: STAT 269
Term: Winter
Year: 2021
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Joshua Pinto:
I was sorry to read of the challenges you reported in your letter of appeal and I have carefully considered your request to drop ECON 223 (Summer 2019), MATH 225, MATH 280, MATH 339 (Fall 2019), MATH 110 (Fall/Winter 2019/2020), BMED 173, CISC 151, ECON 255 (Winter 2020), CISC 251, and MATH 326 (Fall 2020). I have also considered your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. After reviewing your file, I have decided the following:
1. To deny your request to drop ECON 223 (Summer 2019), MATH 225, MATH 280, MATH 339 (Fall 2019), MATH 110 (Fall/Winter 2019/2020), BMED 173, CISC 151, ECON 255 (Winter 2020), CISC 251, and MATH 326 (Fall 2020). The documentation that you supplied indicates that you had an exacerbation of your extenuating circumstances during the 2019 Winter term yet doesn??t comment on the academic impact of your circumstances during the terms that you are appealing to drop courses from. 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.
2. To deny your request to waive the ruling that you be ??Required to Withdraw for One Year?.
The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling is not intended to be punitive, rather it is designed to provide the student with time away from the university to reflect on and remedy the factors impeding their academic success.
The Academic Regulations stipulate that waiving the requirement to withdraw can be considered only where a student??s academic performance is affected by extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond their control and debilitating to their overall academic performance. In addition, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional that confirm that the impact on a student??s academic progress. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, your appeal did not demonstrate to me that your health issues are being managed in a way that would allow you to be successful in future classes. My sincere hope is that you will take this opportunity to make some changes and access the supports you need to achieve that success.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when one year has lapsed. Upon your return, we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. It will be your responsibility to take steps for the successful completion of your program and to 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.
?? If you encounter extenuating circumstances that inhibit your ability to complete course work, consider seeking Academic Consideration. More information is available at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/accommodations
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 ??Board 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).
Yours sincerely,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Decision Date: July 15, 2021
Associate Dean: Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Joshua Pinto
Student Email: joshua.pinto@queensu.ca
Course: ECON 223
Term: Summer
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 110
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 225
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 280
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 339
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BMED 173
Term: Winter
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 151
Term: Winter
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: ECON 255
Term: Winter
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: CISC 251
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: MATH 326
Term: Fall
Year: 2020
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: RELS 163
Term: Winter
Year: 2021
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: STAT 269
Term: Winter
Year: 2021
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Dear Joshua Pinto:
I was sorry to read of the challenges you reported in your letter of appeal and I have carefully considered your request to drop ECON 223 (Summer 2019), MATH 225, MATH 280, MATH 339 (Fall 2019), MATH 110 (Fall/Winter 2019/2020), BMED 173, CISC 151, ECON 255 (Winter 2020), CISC 251, and MATH 326 (Fall 2020). I have also considered your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. After reviewing your file, I have decided the following:
1. To deny your request to drop ECON 223 (Summer 2019), MATH 225, MATH 280, MATH 339 (Fall 2019), MATH 110 (Fall/Winter 2019/2020), BMED 173, CISC 151, ECON 255 (Winter 2020), CISC 251, and MATH 326 (Fall 2020). The documentation that you supplied indicates that you had an exacerbation of your extenuating circumstances during the 2019 Winter term yet doesn??t comment on the academic impact of your circumstances during the terms that you are appealing to drop courses from. 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.
2. To deny your request to waive the ruling that you be ??Required to Withdraw for One Year?.
The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling is not intended to be punitive, rather it is designed to provide the student with time away from the university to reflect on and remedy the factors impeding their academic success.
The Academic Regulations stipulate that waiving the requirement to withdraw can be considered only where a student??s academic performance is affected by extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond their control and debilitating to their overall academic performance. In addition, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional that confirm that the impact on a student??s academic progress. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, your appeal did not demonstrate to me that your health issues are being managed in a way that would allow you to be successful in future classes. My sincere hope is that you will take this opportunity to make some changes and access the supports you need to achieve that success.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when one year has lapsed. Upon your return, we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. It will be your responsibility to take steps for the successful completion of your program and to 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.
?? If you encounter extenuating circumstances that inhibit your ability to complete course work, consider seeking Academic Consideration. More information is available at: https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/accommodations
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 ??Board 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).
Yours sincerely,
Jill Atkinson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Generated July 15, 2021 at 11:34:15 AM.