Queen's UniversityAcademic consideration is meant to help you manage a short-term extenuating circumstance beyond your control that is impacting your academics, as outlined in the Academic Consideration for Students in Extenuating Circumstances Policy. There are various situations that may prompt students to request academic consideration.
Health condition, injury, or trauma:
A sudden or acute physical or mental illness, serious injury to self or significant others, bereavement, a traumatic event, or other serious personal/family crisis. To find more information about requesting academic accommodation go to Student Wellness Services.
Religious accommodation:
For an accommodation to observe a religious holiday, visit the Faith and Spiritual Life website for more information.
Request for an Excused Absence for a Significant Event (REASE):
Extenuating circumstances may also include officially representing the university at a sanctioned varsity athletics event (provincial, national, or international competitions) or by invitation to showcase achievement, or share an exceptional talent or ability on a provincial, national, or international stage as a distinguished guest. For this type of extenuating circumstance, please see the procedures and form below.
Procedures for excused absences
- Complete the top half of the Request for an Excused Absence for a Significant Event/Activity Form (116 KB). Include course codes, instructor names, and deliverables with specific details (e.g., CHEM 112 midterm on October 1st, BIOL 102 assignment #4 due October 3rd, etc.)
- Obtain a signature under event verification from the Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation or their delegate. Gather additional information that is required, such as travel itinerary and team travel list usually supplied by a Coach or Coordinator.
- Provide signed REASE form and supporting documentation to the appropriate Faculty/School Office for approval.
- Complete the top half of the Request for an Excused Absence for a Significant Event/Activity Form (PDF 116 KB). Include course codes, instructor names, and deliverables with specific details (e.g., CHEM 112 midterm on October 1st, BIOL 102 assignment #4 due October 3rd, etc.).
- Gather all supplemental and supporting documentation (e.g., event/activity name, description, invitation to participate, or Reserve class, event/organization website, schedule, details on nominating/selection process).
- Attach form and all supporting documentation and send to the Office of Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@queensu.ca for verification.
- If the request is verified and supported, studentaffairs@queensu.ca will email REASE form and supporting documentation to the appropriate Faculty/School contact and copy the student so both parties can work together to facilitate the process with instructors etc.
- If a request is then approved by instructor(s), complete and/or submit the academic work per the consideration granted. In some cases, considerations may require a student to complete the course assignment prior to being absent for the event/activity.
Queen’s recognizes the benefits and value for students who commit to military service in the Reserve Forces; Training, employment opportunities, skill development, community engagement and experiential learning add to a student’s personal, academic, and career pursuits.
To support and acknowledge the role of students serving in the Canadian Armed Forces as Reservists, Queen’s faculty and staff will consider academic accommodation and consideration requests by student-reservists to help them meet both their academic requirements and their military service obligations.
Requests from student-reservists for academic considerations normally should be submitted in writing as described by the Procedure for Requests for Excused Absences for Significant Events under the University Policy for Academic Consideration in Extenuating Circumstances. When circumstances allow, student-reservists are encouraged to provide sufficient time to allow Student Affairs to review the request before the start of a particular military activity.
Documentation from a student-reservist’s chain of command (i.e. Adjutant or Sub-Unit Commander) will typically be required to substantiate the request for academic consideration.
Student-reservists are encouraged to email studentaffairs@queensu.ca for additional information or questions.
- Complete the top half of the Request for an Excused Absence for a Significant Event/Activity Form (PDF 116 KB). Include course codes, instructor names, and deliverables with specific details (e.g., CHEM 112 midterm on October 1st, BIOL 102 assignment #4 due October 3rd, etc.).
- Gather all supplemental and supporting documentation (e.g., event/activity name, description, invitation to participate, or Reserve class, event/organization website, schedule, details on nominating/selection process).
- Attach form and all supporting documentation and send to the Office of Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@queensu.ca for verification.
- If the request is verified and supported, studentaffairs@queensu.ca will email REASE form and supporting documentation to the appropriate Faculty/School contact and copy the student so both parties can work together to facilitate the process with instructors etc.
- If a request is then approved by instructor(s), complete and/or submit the academic work per the consideration granted. In some cases, considerations may require a student to complete the course assignment prior to being absent for the event/activity.