DATE: October 31, 2003
PARTIES: Mr. C. (the Student) v. the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
Hearing Date(s): September 25, 2003
Committee Members:
Professor Emeritus R. Scane (Chair)
Professor P. Catton
Ms K. Lewis
Mr. A. Watson
Professor J. Wedge
Secretary:
Mr. P. Holmes, Judicial Affairs Officer
Appearances:
For the Student:
Mr. C (The Student)
Mr. G. Tam
For the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering:
Professor K. Pressnail
Ms B. McCann
Ms M. Paton
Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering – request to substitute new marks for marks received in course assessments – grade appeal – extraordinary external pressures – Faculty granted retroactive withdrawal without academic penalty – remedy rejected – request that grades be raised by between 5.5 and 10 marks – remedy sought not afforded by Faculty and too speculative – awarding of grades is function of appropriate faculty – role of appeal tribunals – appeal dismissed
Request to substitute new marks for the marks received in the various assessments in the subjects of one term. The Student failed the term. It was not in issue before the Committee that the Student was under extraordinary external pressures during the term. The Faculty granted retroactive withdrawal without academic penalty in all the courses except one. Under the relief proposed, the Student would have had clear standing on entering upon the repeat of the term, and therefore would not be at risk of academic probation. The Student rejected the remedy proffered. The Student claimed that but for the external pressures, the marks would be higher. The Student claimed that based on his own calculations his grades should be raised by between 5.5 and 10 marks. The Committee found that the remedy requested was outside the scope of what the Faculty affords to its students, and it was too speculative. The Committee stated that the awarding of grades is the function of the appropriate faculty appointed by the University and not a function of appeal tribunals. Appeal dismissed.