Report #326

DATE: July 2, 2008
PARTIES: Ms. A. S. (the Student) v. Faculty of Arts and Science


Hearing Date(s): June 19, 2008

Committee Members:  
Assistant Dean Kate Hilton, Chair
Professor Joel Kirsh
Professor Michael Marrus
Mr. Alexandru Rascanu
Professor Anthony Sinclair

In Attendance:
Ms. A. S. (the “Student”)
Professor Susan Howson, Vice-Dean, Undergraduate, Faculty of Arts and Science
Ms. Elaine Ishibashi, Associate Faculty Registrar, Faculty of Arts and Science
Ms. Sari Springer, Counsel for the Faculty of Arts and Science
Ms. Nancy Smart, Judicial Affairs Officer
Ms. Mette Mai, Office of the Governing Council

Faculty of Arts and Science – request for extension of time to submit term work – illness prevented the submission of three essays – no independent confirmation of Student’s illness – no indication in medical notes that the Student required accommodation – minority opinion that exception should be made based on oral evidence provided – appeal dismissed

Request for an extension of time to submit term work in three courses. The Student submitted that she was so ill during the relevant period of time that she was unable to submit three separate essays. The Committee found that there was no independent confirmation of the Student’s illness during the relevant period of time, and no indication in medical notes that the Student required accommodation to complete her assignments. The majority of the Committee found that there was no exceptional circumstances in this case that would justify the setting aside of the Faculty’s policies relating to the provision of medical documentation and set expectations for students. The majority of the Committee found that the decision of the Divisional Appeals Board was reasonable, and should be upheld. A minority of the Committee found that an exception to University policy should be made based on oral evidence provided by the Student. Appeal dismissed.