Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Decision Letter

Submission Number: 10629
Decision Date: June 19, 2023
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Tanesha Duncan-Zulu
Student Email: 21tdz2@queensu.ca

Dear Tanesha,

I was sorry to read of the challenges you outlined in your petition letter and I have carefully considered your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be “Required to Withdraw for One Year”. After reviewing your file, I have decided to drop GNDS 120, SPAN 111 (Fall 2022); GEOL 106, GNDS 125 (Winter 2023); and PHIL 111, SOCY 122 (Fall/Winter 2022/2023) after the academic deadline 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 petition based on the timeline and severity of your extenuating circumstances as confirmed by the documentation that you supplied, as well as your academic plan, but this is a somewhat lenient decision Tanesha since your documentation notes that your challenges are chronic in nature and the petition process is not designed to help a student manage their academics due to ongoing challenges.

Going forward, I encourage you to continue to work with your health-care professional and consider registering with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) so that you can work with a QSAS Advisor to help manage the impacts of your health on your academics. Students should also carefully evaluate the impact of their circumstances on their classes during week 7 of the term. If they have fallen behind in a course or find the material too difficult, they should drop the course by the week 8 drop deadline. The drop deadlines, outlined in the “Important Dates” section on the Faculty of Arts and Science web page, have been established to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all students.

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 and reflect on your program choice. Were you in the right set of courses last year based on your interests and aptitudes?
• Seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance. The Arts and Science Faculty Office is located in Dunning Hall (main floor). You can book an appointment with an Academic Advisor online at queensu.ca/artsci/undergrad-students/student-services/academic-advising or by phone 613-533-2470. Academic advising may also be available through your Plan Department.
• Student Academic Success Services (SASS) sass.queensu.ca/ in Stauffer Library 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 queensu.ca/studentwellness/ located in Mitchell Hall, is available to all Queen’s students. SWS offers counselling as well as individual consultation to aid in coping with difficulties of a more personal nature.
• Academic Consideration is a process for the university community to provide a compassionate response to assist students experiencing a short-term extenuating circumstance. You can familiarize yourself with your consideration options at: queensu.ca/artsci/accommodations.

I wish you success in your studies next year.

Yours sincerely,


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

10219194Duncan-Zulu


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