Decision Letter
Submission Number: 13347
Decision Date: August 11, 2025
Associate Dean: Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic)
Student Name: Danika Goveas
Student Email: 15drg1@queensu.ca
Course: BCHM270
Term: Fall
Year: 2024
Category: Request an extension of an incomplete grade
Instructor: Laura Van Staalduinen
Dear Danika Goveas,
Thank you for your petition regarding an extension of an Incomplete Grade in BCHM 270 (F24). I have carefully reviewed your request and the information that I received from the instructor of the course, and while I’m unable to grant your petition, I want to assure you that I’ve taken your circumstances into account as part of this decision.
As you know, Academic Regulation 10.3.4 states that incomplete standing (IN) is a temporary designation reserved for a course in which a student who, because of extenuating circumstances beyond their control, has not completed all term work for a course. This regulation also stresses that the student must have participated actively in the class and only one or two elements of the course work have not been completed. Students with extenuating circumstances who have been unable to complete the majority of the work in a class should consider a petition to drop a class after the deadline rather than requesting an incomplete grade in the class.
After consulting with the instructor of this course, it was confirmed that you have only completed 6% of the graded components to date. The remaining work includes 4 module discussion boards, 4 homework assignments, a term paper, the mid-term exam (which I understand that the instructor offered to add to the graded weight of the final) and the final exam. Given that most of the course components are still outstanding, your request does not meet the criteria for an extension of an Incomplete Grade under the Regulation.
I understand that the instructor generously allowed you an opportunity to complete the course during the 2025 Winter term despite the requirement for an Incomplete Grade not being met. However, with so much of the course still outstanding, I am unable to approve an additional extension.
That said, as the documentation that you supplied confirms academic impacts of extenuating circumstances during the 2024 Fall term, I will allow you to drop BCHM 270 (F24) after the academic deadline instead. If you would like to accept this offer, please email asc.petitions@queensu.ca within 10 business days of receiving this letter.
Going forward, I would suggest that you consider registering with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) if you have not done so already, so that you obtain ongoing support from an Accessibility Advisor who can help manage the ongoing impacts of your health on your academics.
Additionally, if you wish to appeal this decision, information on the appeal process and deadlines is available at queensu.ca/artsci/undergraduate/student-services/academic-petitions-and-appeals (click on “Second Level”). The Office of the University Ombudsperson offers guidance on student rights and procedural fairness at queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/procedural-fairness, and they are also available to support you at queensu.ca/ombuds.
I hope that you continue to seek out the support and resources available to you, and I wish you the best in navigating your next steps.
Warm regards,
Dorit Naaman, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Decision Date: August 11, 2025
Associate Dean: Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic)
Student Name: Danika Goveas
Student Email: 15drg1@queensu.ca
Course: BCHM270
Term: Fall
Year: 2024
Category: Request an extension of an incomplete grade
Instructor: Laura Van Staalduinen
Dear Danika Goveas,
Thank you for your petition regarding an extension of an Incomplete Grade in BCHM 270 (F24). I have carefully reviewed your request and the information that I received from the instructor of the course, and while I’m unable to grant your petition, I want to assure you that I’ve taken your circumstances into account as part of this decision.
As you know, Academic Regulation 10.3.4 states that incomplete standing (IN) is a temporary designation reserved for a course in which a student who, because of extenuating circumstances beyond their control, has not completed all term work for a course. This regulation also stresses that the student must have participated actively in the class and only one or two elements of the course work have not been completed. Students with extenuating circumstances who have been unable to complete the majority of the work in a class should consider a petition to drop a class after the deadline rather than requesting an incomplete grade in the class.
After consulting with the instructor of this course, it was confirmed that you have only completed 6% of the graded components to date. The remaining work includes 4 module discussion boards, 4 homework assignments, a term paper, the mid-term exam (which I understand that the instructor offered to add to the graded weight of the final) and the final exam. Given that most of the course components are still outstanding, your request does not meet the criteria for an extension of an Incomplete Grade under the Regulation.
I understand that the instructor generously allowed you an opportunity to complete the course during the 2025 Winter term despite the requirement for an Incomplete Grade not being met. However, with so much of the course still outstanding, I am unable to approve an additional extension.
That said, as the documentation that you supplied confirms academic impacts of extenuating circumstances during the 2024 Fall term, I will allow you to drop BCHM 270 (F24) after the academic deadline instead. If you would like to accept this offer, please email asc.petitions@queensu.ca within 10 business days of receiving this letter.
Going forward, I would suggest that you consider registering with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) if you have not done so already, so that you obtain ongoing support from an Accessibility Advisor who can help manage the ongoing impacts of your health on your academics.
Additionally, if you wish to appeal this decision, information on the appeal process and deadlines is available at queensu.ca/artsci/undergraduate/student-services/academic-petitions-and-appeals (click on “Second Level”). The Office of the University Ombudsperson offers guidance on student rights and procedural fairness at queensu.ca/ombuds/appeal-process/procedural-fairness, and they are also available to support you at queensu.ca/ombuds.
I hope that you continue to seek out the support and resources available to you, and I wish you the best in navigating your next steps.
Warm regards,
Dorit Naaman, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Generated August 11, 2025 at 9:45:27 AM.