Report #296

DATE: April 29, 2005
PARTIES: Mr. A. (the Student) v. UTM


Hearing Date(s): April 22, 2005

Committee Members:  
Prof. Emeritus Ralph Scane, Senior Chair
Prof. John Furedy
Dr. Joel Kirsh
Ms. Francoise Ko
Prof. Iam McDonald

Acting Judicial Affairs Officer:
Ms. Beverley Stefureak

In Attendance:

For the Appellant:
Mr. A. (the Student)

For UTM:
Prof. G. Anderson

UTM – late withdrawal without academic penalty – stress from combined workload – no reference to links with academic performance in medical evidence – no evidence of circumstances where adverse factors arose, unexpectedly continued, or unexpectedly significantly worsened after the drop date – Student had performance concerns by drop date but elected to remain – appeal dismissed

Request for late withdrawal without academic penalty from five courses, all of which the student had failed. The Student claimed that stress resulting from the combined workload of full–time work and a full–academic programme affected his academic performance. The Committee considered the medical evidence submitted and found that it did not refer to possible links to the Student’s performance in the courses. The Committee considered the Student’s submissions and the University and Committee’s approach to the policy on late withdrawal without academic penalty as described in Report #264 and found that there was no evidence of circumstances where adverse factors arose, unexpectedly continued, or unexpectedly significantly worsened after the “drop date.” By the relevant drop date the Student was concerned about his performance in his courses yet he elected to remain in them.  Appeal dismissed.