April 2012 Meetings

April 4, 2012

The Commission met with members of an ad-hoc group that has been discussing issues relating to exams and accommodations. The group includes Linda Williams (HCDS), Ingrid Johnsrude (Psychology), Jeanette Parsons (Disability Services Office), Jo Brett (Registrar’s Office (Examinations), Allyson Harrison (Regional Assessment andResource Centre).

The group talked about exam deferrals - students ask to defer because of stress and anxiety and the university doesn’t have a campus wide policy or protocol to respond consistently. The members distinguished between students who are registered through the Disability Services Office and have the legal right to be accommodated – and those who are not registered. There was discussion about the need to identify students some time before exams who may be having difficulty with time management, study skills and stress to help them prepare. But theproblem is that many students don’t recognize they need support until exam time. Another suggestion was that the university would follow up with students who are granted deferrals and help them develop strategies to reduce exam-related anxiety.

April 11, 2012

Commissioners spent time discussing preliminary results of the recent health and wellness survey of Queen's students. Full survey results will be reviewed when available and they will be compared with other internal and external data.

The Commission also met with the outgoing AMS Executive who provided a comprehensive outline of current AMS services relating to mental health and wellness, a description of the Peer Support Centre, an analysis of common triggers of student stress, a discussion of unrecognized but vulnerable groups, and concerns that have been expressed by students.

The presentation included many early recommendations, including:

• Creating one centralized and well promoted online database of Queen's resources
• Increasing institutional support for the Peer Support Centre (PSC)
• Rebranding HCDS
• Consideration of support programs offered jointly by PSC and trained university staff
• Increasing awareness and education about healthy and safe relationships
• Increasing awareness and understanding among students of academic appeal procedures

April 18, 2012

The commissioners worked on their report.

April 25, 2012

The commissioners worked on their report.