Decision Letter
Appeal Number: 1212
Decision Date: July 7, 2015
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Tina Cheung
Student Email: 12thyc1@queensu.ca
Course: ENGL100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: ENGL237
Term: Winter
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: PHIL111
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: ECON110
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: WRIT125
Term: Winter
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: GNDS125
Term: Fall
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Ms. Tina Cheung
12thyc1@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Cheung:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop GNDS 125 (F 2014), ENGL 100B, ENGL 237, ECON 110B, PHIL 115B and WRIT 125 (W 2015) past the academic deadline as well as 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 present some extenuating circumstances beyond your control, from your appeal letter and your student file, it appears that these circumstances are ongoing in nature. The appeals system is not designed to compensate for circumstances that are ongoing in nature for which the student is unwilling or unable to effectively resolve or manage. Furthermore, the supporting documentation from Dr. Khanna is outdated. In her letter of 2 June, 2014 (which you have asked to be reviewed with this appeal), Dr. Khanna noted, €œI believe that Tina is now more mature and more prepared for her studies at Queen€™s in that she has a better understanding of what to expect and what it required to be successful. She seems capable of the work and recognizes that she needs to be self-regulating in terms of work habits and strategies. She is committed to working with Learning Strategies, and will also be seeing me for counselling to address her stress management and family related problems.€ Unfortunately, you were unable to follow through with any part of this plan and I am not convinced that you will be realistically able to follow through with your current plan either. It is my hope that you will take the next year away from your studies to focus on receiving treatment for your personal challenges so that when you do return, you are fully recovered and poised for academic success.
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)
10095863Cheung3
Decision Date: July 7, 2015
Associate Dean: Johanne Benard, Ph.D.
Student Name: Tina Cheung
Student Email: 12thyc1@queensu.ca
Course: ENGL100
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: ENGL237
Term: Winter
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: PHIL111
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: ECON110
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: WRIT125
Term: Winter
Year: 2015
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Course: GNDS125
Term: Fall
Year: 2014
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Ms. Tina Cheung
12thyc1@queensu.ca
Dear Ms. Cheung:
I have carefully considered your appeal to drop GNDS 125 (F 2014), ENGL 100B, ENGL 237, ECON 110B, PHIL 115B and WRIT 125 (W 2015) past the academic deadline as well as 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 present some extenuating circumstances beyond your control, from your appeal letter and your student file, it appears that these circumstances are ongoing in nature. The appeals system is not designed to compensate for circumstances that are ongoing in nature for which the student is unwilling or unable to effectively resolve or manage. Furthermore, the supporting documentation from Dr. Khanna is outdated. In her letter of 2 June, 2014 (which you have asked to be reviewed with this appeal), Dr. Khanna noted, €œI believe that Tina is now more mature and more prepared for her studies at Queen€™s in that she has a better understanding of what to expect and what it required to be successful. She seems capable of the work and recognizes that she needs to be self-regulating in terms of work habits and strategies. She is committed to working with Learning Strategies, and will also be seeing me for counselling to address her stress management and family related problems.€ Unfortunately, you were unable to follow through with any part of this plan and I am not convinced that you will be realistically able to follow through with your current plan either. It is my hope that you will take the next year away from your studies to focus on receiving treatment for your personal challenges so that when you do return, you are fully recovered and poised for academic success.
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)
10095863Cheung3
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