Decision Letter
Submission Number: 13861
Decision Date: February 17, 2026
Associate Dean: Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic)
Student Name: BAICUN WU
Student Email: 21bw8@queensu.ca
Baicun Wu:
Thank you for your petition requesting to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a Letter of Permission. After a thorough review, while I’m unable to grant your request, I want to assure you that I’ve taken your circumstances into account as part of this decision.
As you know, Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulation 1.7.1.7 at queensu.ca/academic-calendar/arts-science/appeal-regulations/ stress that petition requests to take courses at another institution must directly address how this is necessary due to extenuating circumstances or to an exceptional academic opportunity. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to their academic performance. These kinds of extraordinary situations should be supported by official documentation from a health care practitioner or other relevant professional.
I understand that you previously transferred 6.0 units from another institution during the 2024 Summer term and that you are now requesting permission to take an additional 3.0 unit PHIL course at another school during the current 2026 Winter term. I also recognize that you planned to complete your final degree requirements during the 2026 Winter term however, a failure in a Fall term course has affected that plan. I am aware that you currently have a separate petition in progress requesting a Review of an Instructor’s Decision on Grading in that course, which, if successful, may allow you to complete your degree as originally planned.
I have denied this request as you are already enrolled in the maximum number of units permitted per term. Under Academic Regulation 3.2.2 – Maximum Course Loads for Full-Time Students full-time students may be registered in no more than 36.0 units, and no more than 18.0 units in either of the Fall or Winter Terms, including any courses being taken elsewhere on a Letter of Permission. The regulation further states that course overloads beyond 30.0 units should not be sought for the purpose of making up a deficiency resulting from a past failure.
Going forward, if your petition for a Review of an Instructor’s Decision on Grading is not successful, I will allow you to take 3.0 units of PHIL at another institution on a Letter of Permission for the 2026 Summer term. If you would like to accept this offer, please email asc.petitions@queensu.ca.
If you wish to appeal this decision 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.
Sincerely,
Dorit Naaman, PhD.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Decision Date: February 17, 2026
Associate Dean: Dorit Naaman (Associate Dean Academic)
Student Name: BAICUN WU
Student Email: 21bw8@queensu.ca
Baicun Wu:
Thank you for your petition requesting to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a Letter of Permission. After a thorough review, while I’m unable to grant your request, I want to assure you that I’ve taken your circumstances into account as part of this decision.
As you know, Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulation 1.7.1.7 at queensu.ca/academic-calendar/arts-science/appeal-regulations/ stress that petition requests to take courses at another institution must directly address how this is necessary due to extenuating circumstances or to an exceptional academic opportunity. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to their academic performance. These kinds of extraordinary situations should be supported by official documentation from a health care practitioner or other relevant professional.
I understand that you previously transferred 6.0 units from another institution during the 2024 Summer term and that you are now requesting permission to take an additional 3.0 unit PHIL course at another school during the current 2026 Winter term. I also recognize that you planned to complete your final degree requirements during the 2026 Winter term however, a failure in a Fall term course has affected that plan. I am aware that you currently have a separate petition in progress requesting a Review of an Instructor’s Decision on Grading in that course, which, if successful, may allow you to complete your degree as originally planned.
I have denied this request as you are already enrolled in the maximum number of units permitted per term. Under Academic Regulation 3.2.2 – Maximum Course Loads for Full-Time Students full-time students may be registered in no more than 36.0 units, and no more than 18.0 units in either of the Fall or Winter Terms, including any courses being taken elsewhere on a Letter of Permission. The regulation further states that course overloads beyond 30.0 units should not be sought for the purpose of making up a deficiency resulting from a past failure.
Going forward, if your petition for a Review of an Instructor’s Decision on Grading is not successful, I will allow you to take 3.0 units of PHIL at another institution on a Letter of Permission for the 2026 Summer term. If you would like to accept this offer, please email asc.petitions@queensu.ca.
If you wish to appeal this decision 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.
Sincerely,
Dorit Naaman, PhD.
Associate Dean (Academic)
Generated February 17, 2026 at 9:41:23 AM.