Decision Letter
Submission Number: 10605
Decision Date: August 18, 2023
Associate Dean:
Student Name: mikaela young
Student Email: 20mryg@queensu.ca
Dear Mikaela,
On Tuesday, 15 August, the Board of Studies reviewed your appeal of Associate Dean (Academic) Jenn Stephenson’s decision to deny your petition to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year. Board members present that day were Scott-Morgan Straker (Chair), Christopher Ferrall (Faculty member), James Mingo (Faculty member), and Amaiya Walters (Student representative). Pamela Briand (Arts and Science resource staff) was also present. Upon careful consideration of the written submissions contained in your file, the Board voted to uphold the Associate Dean’s decision to deny your petition.
It is clear to the Board from your personal statement that you have faced significant difficulties during your time at Queen’s; we acknowledge that this has been a difficult time for you. That said, the appeals process at Queen’s University is document-based: while a student’s personal statement plays an important role in that process, it is not on its own sufficient. Personal statements must be supported by documents that speak directly to the extenuating circumstances that affected the students’ academic performance, or that prevented them from dropping courses by the deadline. In the absence of such documents, whether from a medical professional, grief counsellor, or the like, your appeal does not meet the standard needed to overturn Associate Dean Stephenson’s decision. In her decision letter, the Associate Dean states that if you were struggling in certain courses because of bereavement, the appropriate action would have been to drop those courses by the published deadline, a position you describe as “harsh.” The Board assures you that this is precisely the rule that is applied to all students, a rule that is waived only in the most serious extenuating circumstances, clearly established by documentation. In the absence of such documentation, Associate Dean Stephenson had little choice but to uphold the rule, and the Board finds the Associate Dean’s decision to be reasonable.
The requirement to withdraw for one year is often perceived by students as a punishment, but really it’s the opposite: it provides students the opportunity to take some time to address the problems that have interfered with their studies. This time can often be very valuable, because persevering in a course of study with the problems unaddressed runs the risk of creating a much worse situation in the future. It is the Board’s hope that you can use this time to focus on your wellbeing, so that you can make a truly fresh start next year.
Because this decision affects your progress toward your degree, you are eligible to appeal to the University Student Appeal Board (USAB). Grounds for appeal are listed in Section E of the Student Academic Appeals Policy (SAAP) at https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senate/student-academic-appeals-policy and the Rules of Procedure for University Student Appeal Board (USAB) can be found at https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senate/student-appeals-rights-discipline-policy/rules-procedure-usab. Appeals to USAB must be submitted within two weeks of this decision. For additional information on USAB, please visit https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/university-student-appeal-board.
I understand that this result comes as a disappointment; nevertheless, on behalf of the Board of Studies I wish you every success as you pursue your personal and educational goals.
Sincerely,
Scott-Morgan Straker
Chair, Board of Studies
Decision Date: August 18, 2023
Associate Dean:
Student Name: mikaela young
Student Email: 20mryg@queensu.ca
Dear Mikaela,
On Tuesday, 15 August, the Board of Studies reviewed your appeal of Associate Dean (Academic) Jenn Stephenson’s decision to deny your petition to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year. Board members present that day were Scott-Morgan Straker (Chair), Christopher Ferrall (Faculty member), James Mingo (Faculty member), and Amaiya Walters (Student representative). Pamela Briand (Arts and Science resource staff) was also present. Upon careful consideration of the written submissions contained in your file, the Board voted to uphold the Associate Dean’s decision to deny your petition.
It is clear to the Board from your personal statement that you have faced significant difficulties during your time at Queen’s; we acknowledge that this has been a difficult time for you. That said, the appeals process at Queen’s University is document-based: while a student’s personal statement plays an important role in that process, it is not on its own sufficient. Personal statements must be supported by documents that speak directly to the extenuating circumstances that affected the students’ academic performance, or that prevented them from dropping courses by the deadline. In the absence of such documents, whether from a medical professional, grief counsellor, or the like, your appeal does not meet the standard needed to overturn Associate Dean Stephenson’s decision. In her decision letter, the Associate Dean states that if you were struggling in certain courses because of bereavement, the appropriate action would have been to drop those courses by the published deadline, a position you describe as “harsh.” The Board assures you that this is precisely the rule that is applied to all students, a rule that is waived only in the most serious extenuating circumstances, clearly established by documentation. In the absence of such documentation, Associate Dean Stephenson had little choice but to uphold the rule, and the Board finds the Associate Dean’s decision to be reasonable.
The requirement to withdraw for one year is often perceived by students as a punishment, but really it’s the opposite: it provides students the opportunity to take some time to address the problems that have interfered with their studies. This time can often be very valuable, because persevering in a course of study with the problems unaddressed runs the risk of creating a much worse situation in the future. It is the Board’s hope that you can use this time to focus on your wellbeing, so that you can make a truly fresh start next year.
Because this decision affects your progress toward your degree, you are eligible to appeal to the University Student Appeal Board (USAB). Grounds for appeal are listed in Section E of the Student Academic Appeals Policy (SAAP) at https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senate/student-academic-appeals-policy and the Rules of Procedure for University Student Appeal Board (USAB) can be found at https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senate/student-appeals-rights-discipline-policy/rules-procedure-usab. Appeals to USAB must be submitted within two weeks of this decision. For additional information on USAB, please visit https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/university-student-appeal-board.
I understand that this result comes as a disappointment; nevertheless, on behalf of the Board of Studies I wish you every success as you pursue your personal and educational goals.
Sincerely,
Scott-Morgan Straker
Chair, Board of Studies
Generated August 18, 2023 at 1:53:11 PM.