Decision Letter
Submission Number: 13468
Decision Date: September 8, 2025
Associate Dean: Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic)
Student Name: Riley Scott
Student Email: 20rjs5@queensu.ca
Dear Riley:
Thank you for your petition request to waive the petition deadline related to the requirement to withdraw for 1-year ruling. I have carefully reviewed your request and the supporting documentation that you supplied, 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.
Academic Petitions and Appeals regulation 1.5.2 stress that exceptions to the petition deadlines can only be granted in cases where extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control render the student unable to submit a petition or appeal within the specified timeline. The student must be able to show that the extenuating circumstances were ongoing. The student must also be able to demonstrate that these circumstances prevented them from acting between the time the original decision was received and the time at which the appeal was eventually initiated. A petition of this type should include a presentation of the reasons for the delay and must include documents that support the reasons for this delay.
After a thorough review, I must conclude that your petition does not include documentation that meets the standard required to waive the petition deadline regulation. Specifically, it does not demonstrate that an extenuating circumstance prevented you from submitting a petition to waive the requirement to withdraw ruling by June 11, 2025. While I acknowledge that you met with a health-care provider on May 23, 2025, your documentation did not indicate that you were unable to submit this petition at that time, before the deadline.
I want to remind you of your prior petition decision from August of 2024 when a requirement to withdraw ruling was waived by the Associate Dean with the recommendation to register with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) for ongoing support. Unfortunately, your academic record from the 2024/2025 academic year does not reflect improvement, and this petition did not include evidence that supports are in place to ensure future academic success.
Please know that the purpose of a requirement to withdraw is not intended to be punitive. The purpose of an RTW is to take a pause from your studies, and invest in self-care, it is not a punishment, rather an opportunity to shift gears and find out what will allow you to succeed both personally and academically. It reflects the university’s intention to provide students with the time and space to reflect on and address the factors that may be hindering their academic progress. Keep in mind you will be eligible to return to the university for the 2026 Fall term.
Upon your return, I encourage you to take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. It will be your responsibility to take steps toward the successful completion of your program and to maintain a GPA consistent with the requirements of your plan. I strongly encourage you to consider the following strategies:
· 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 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. 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.
Additionally, if you wish to appeal this decision, you are welcome to submit an appeal to the Board of Studies. 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.
Sincerely,
Dorit Naaman, PhD
Associate Dean (Academic)
Decision Date: September 8, 2025
Associate Dean: Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic)
Student Name: Riley Scott
Student Email: 20rjs5@queensu.ca
Dear Riley:
Thank you for your petition request to waive the petition deadline related to the requirement to withdraw for 1-year ruling. I have carefully reviewed your request and the supporting documentation that you supplied, 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.
Academic Petitions and Appeals regulation 1.5.2 stress that exceptions to the petition deadlines can only be granted in cases where extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control render the student unable to submit a petition or appeal within the specified timeline. The student must be able to show that the extenuating circumstances were ongoing. The student must also be able to demonstrate that these circumstances prevented them from acting between the time the original decision was received and the time at which the appeal was eventually initiated. A petition of this type should include a presentation of the reasons for the delay and must include documents that support the reasons for this delay.
After a thorough review, I must conclude that your petition does not include documentation that meets the standard required to waive the petition deadline regulation. Specifically, it does not demonstrate that an extenuating circumstance prevented you from submitting a petition to waive the requirement to withdraw ruling by June 11, 2025. While I acknowledge that you met with a health-care provider on May 23, 2025, your documentation did not indicate that you were unable to submit this petition at that time, before the deadline.
I want to remind you of your prior petition decision from August of 2024 when a requirement to withdraw ruling was waived by the Associate Dean with the recommendation to register with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) for ongoing support. Unfortunately, your academic record from the 2024/2025 academic year does not reflect improvement, and this petition did not include evidence that supports are in place to ensure future academic success.
Please know that the purpose of a requirement to withdraw is not intended to be punitive. The purpose of an RTW is to take a pause from your studies, and invest in self-care, it is not a punishment, rather an opportunity to shift gears and find out what will allow you to succeed both personally and academically. It reflects the university’s intention to provide students with the time and space to reflect on and address the factors that may be hindering their academic progress. Keep in mind you will be eligible to return to the university for the 2026 Fall term.
Upon your return, I encourage you to take advantage of the support services available to you at Queen's. It will be your responsibility to take steps toward the successful completion of your program and to maintain a GPA consistent with the requirements of your plan. I strongly encourage you to consider the following strategies:
· 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 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. 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.
Additionally, if you wish to appeal this decision, you are welcome to submit an appeal to the Board of Studies. 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.
Sincerely,
Dorit Naaman, PhD
Associate Dean (Academic)
Generated September 8, 2025 at 1:16:20 PM.