Decision Letter
Submission Number: 10674
Decision Date: July 10, 2023
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Joshua Pinto
Student Email: 16jp1@queensu.ca
Dear Joshua Pinto:
I was sorry to read of the challenges you outlined in your petition request. I have carefully considered your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be "Required to Withdraw for Three Years". After reviewing your file, I have decided the following:
To allow you to drop MATH 225 (F22), IDIS 173 and MATH 220 (W23) as the documentation that you supplied confirms academic impacts from your extenuating circumstances during the 2022/2023 academic year.
To deny your request to Waive the Requirement to Withdraw. However, due to your strong academic plan, I am willing to amend that ruling and require you to withdraw for one year instead of three. While I understand that you experienced a difficult year at University, I am not convinced that these circumstances should lead me to waive the requirement to withdraw fully. I am sympathetic to your situation and acknowledge that you are eager to return to classes; however your petition did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted at this time. This type of 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. It is my sincere hope that when you resume your studies after one year, the challenges you have outlined will be resolved or managed in a way that will allow you academic success.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when one year has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. Upon your return we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. In returning to a regular course of study it will be 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? Your Academic Advisement Report in SOLUS will allow you to see your remaining requirements and help you plan out future courses. You can read about the other program/plan options that may interest you in the Digital Academic Calendar at queensu.ca/academic-calendar/arts-science/schools-departments-programs/.
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 also 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.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean’s decision to the Board of Studies, information and deadlines can be found at https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergraduate/student-services/academic-petitions-and-appeals (click on “Submit a Board of Studies Appeal Here”). You may contact the Office of the University Ombudsperson for information about student rights and responsibilities queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/procedural-fairness and guidance on policy and procedure by visiting their website at queensu.ca/ombuds/.
Yours sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Decision Date: July 10, 2023
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Joshua Pinto
Student Email: 16jp1@queensu.ca
Dear Joshua Pinto:
I was sorry to read of the challenges you outlined in your petition request. I have carefully considered your request to waive the Faculty ruling that you be "Required to Withdraw for Three Years". After reviewing your file, I have decided the following:
To allow you to drop MATH 225 (F22), IDIS 173 and MATH 220 (W23) as the documentation that you supplied confirms academic impacts from your extenuating circumstances during the 2022/2023 academic year.
To deny your request to Waive the Requirement to Withdraw. However, due to your strong academic plan, I am willing to amend that ruling and require you to withdraw for one year instead of three. While I understand that you experienced a difficult year at University, I am not convinced that these circumstances should lead me to waive the requirement to withdraw fully. I am sympathetic to your situation and acknowledge that you are eager to return to classes; however your petition did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted at this time. This type of 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. It is my sincere hope that when you resume your studies after one year, the challenges you have outlined will be resolved or managed in a way that will allow you academic success.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when one year has lapsed from the time of the initial ruling. Upon your return we hope that you will take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. In returning to a regular course of study it will be 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? Your Academic Advisement Report in SOLUS will allow you to see your remaining requirements and help you plan out future courses. You can read about the other program/plan options that may interest you in the Digital Academic Calendar at queensu.ca/academic-calendar/arts-science/schools-departments-programs/.
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 also 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.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean’s decision to the Board of Studies, information and deadlines can be found at https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergraduate/student-services/academic-petitions-and-appeals (click on “Submit a Board of Studies Appeal Here”). You may contact the Office of the University Ombudsperson for information about student rights and responsibilities queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/procedural-fairness and guidance on policy and procedure by visiting their website at queensu.ca/ombuds/.
Yours sincerely,
Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
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