Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 1237
Decision Date: June 22, 2015
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Nirmit Shah
Student Email: 13nds4@queensu.ca
Course: MATH 121
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: PHYS 117
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIO 102
Term: Fall
Year: 2014
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Dr. Snedden
Course: BIO 103
Term: Winter
Year: 2015
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Dr. Boag
Course: CHEM 112
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Dr. Mombourquette
Mr. Nirmit Shah
13nds4@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Shah:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop MATH 121B and PHYS 117B (W 2015) past the academic deadline as well as receive Credit standing in BIOL 102 (F 2014), BIOL 103 and CHEM 112B (W 2015) and waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request.
As you already know, the academic requirements in the Faculty of Arts and Science are clearly outlined in the Academic Regulation section of the Calendar. The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling 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 beyond his or her control. The requirement to withdraw is waived only in rare and exceptional circumstances where documentation makes clear that the difficulties are temporary rather than ongoing or that these difficulties have been dealt with in such a way that the student may make a successful return to the university. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. Additionally, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional. While your appeal does describe some extenuating circumstances beyond your control, the supporting documentation provided is insufficient. The results of your blood test and lab requisition do not confirm the full time of your health issues, how serious or severe they were or the impact that they had on your studies over the 2014/15 academic year. For this reason, I unfortunately cannot waive the academic regulations.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a 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 choose courses carefully, seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance, and maintain an average consistent with the requirements for successful completion of your program.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit an appeal to the Board of Studies within 21 days of the date this decision was sent. Guidelines for appealing to the Board of Studies and the appeal form can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€) Do not use the on-line application for this process. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Office of the Ombudsperson for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Yours sincerely,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
101415169Shah
Decision Date: June 22, 2015
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Nirmit Shah
Student Email: 13nds4@queensu.ca
Course: MATH 121
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: PHYS 117
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: BIO 102
Term: Fall
Year: 2014
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Dr. Snedden
Course: BIO 103
Term: Winter
Year: 2015
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Dr. Boag
Course: CHEM 112
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Dr. Mombourquette
Mr. Nirmit Shah
13nds4@queensu.ca
Dear Mr. Shah:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop MATH 121B and PHYS 117B (W 2015) past the academic deadline as well as receive Credit standing in BIOL 102 (F 2014), BIOL 103 and CHEM 112B (W 2015) and waive the Faculty ruling that you be Required to Withdraw for One Year. After reviewing your file, I have decided to deny your request.
As you already know, the academic requirements in the Faculty of Arts and Science are clearly outlined in the Academic Regulation section of the Calendar. The requirement to withdraw is invoked only where students experience ongoing or extreme academic difficulties. The ruling 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 beyond his or her control. The requirement to withdraw is waived only in rare and exceptional circumstances where documentation makes clear that the difficulties are temporary rather than ongoing or that these difficulties have been dealt with in such a way that the student may make a successful return to the university. While it is clear that you experienced a difficult year at university and that you are eager to return to classes, the appeal did not demonstrate to me that an early return to classes is warranted.
Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond your control and debilitating to your overall academic performance. Additionally, these kinds of extraordinary situations are normally supported by documentation from a professional. While your appeal does describe some extenuating circumstances beyond your control, the supporting documentation provided is insufficient. The results of your blood test and lab requisition do not confirm the full time of your health issues, how serious or severe they were or the impact that they had on your studies over the 2014/15 academic year. For this reason, I unfortunately cannot waive the academic regulations.
Keep in mind that you will be eligible to return to the university when a 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 choose courses carefully, seek out the advice necessary to improve your academic performance, and maintain an average consistent with the requirements for successful completion of your program.
If you wish to appeal the Associate Dean€™s decision to the Board of Studies, you must submit an appeal to the Board of Studies within 21 days of the date this decision was sent. Guidelines for appealing to the Board of Studies and the appeal form can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/students-at-queens/academic-appeals (click on €œBoard of Studies€) Do not use the on-line application for this process. You may contact Mr. Harry Smith, Office of the Ombudsperson for advice on matters of procedure and on obtaining a representative. His office is located in room 421 Robert Sutherland Hall and he can be reached by phone (533-6495) or e-mail (ombuds@queensu.ca).
Yours sincerely,
Johanne Bénard, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Studies)
101415169Shah
Generated June 22, 2015 at 2:22:03 PM.