Winter 2020 Course Delivery and Grades

Please review this important information about the continuance of the Winter 2020 academic semester.

Last updated April 8, 2020

Course Delivery Update

As you are aware, the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have led to significant changes to the structure and delivery of your courses for the remainder of the Winter 2020 semester. Your instructors have been authorized to make these adjustments, following University Policy on Academic Continuity.

We understand that you may have questions or concerns regarding changes to the remainder of your courses. To address these in an effective and efficient manner, we ask that you follow the directions below:

  1. If you have questions about the general approach taken by the university to finish the academic year or are having difficulties with online delivery, please see the Academic FAQs, on the University's COVID website.
  2. If you have specific questions about your course(s), including course material, assignments, exams or grade weightings, alternative delivery and particular accommodations, please contact your instructor.
  3. Undergraduate and Associate Diploma students: If you need to request Deferred Privileges for your course, because you cannot complete a final term assignment/test or final exam, please contact a program counsellor in your degree or diploma program.

Student Grades and Course Drop Dates

Student success is of utmost importance and the University recognizes the incredible strain the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on the well-being of our students and our community. We understand that the changes we have had to make may affect students' abilities to cover original course material and be assessed on the learning outcomes.

In order to support all students and allow for informed decisions, a revised grading structure and extended drop date have been implemented for the Winter 2020 semester.

Students who have decided to drop a course before the final exam period can do so until April 12, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. using the regular drop function on WebAdvisor (the "Register and Drop Sections" screen). For instructions on using this drop function, watch the WebAdvisor video tutorial.

Students will not be able to drop a course during the exam period; however, they will have the option of dropping a course after exams and once their grades are available.

Final Grades that have been received in the Office of Registrarial Services will show on WebAdvisor beginning April 30, 2020. Grades will continue to be updated on WebAdvisor as they are received until May 6, 2020. At that time, students may choose one of the following options for each course:

  • Keep final numeric grade awarded
  • Assign a pass, provided the student has achieved a passing grade (The "Pass" designation does not affect your semester average or your cumulative GPA; you will receive credit for the course.)
  • Drop the course

Students will have until Wednesday, May 20, 2020 to decide whether to retain the numerical grade, opt for a "Pass" designation or drop the course. Students will use a new form on WebAdvisor (available late April) to request a pass or to drop a course. It is important that students look into future program requirements before making decisions regarding dropping a course versus taking a "Pass" designation or retaining the numerical grade.

These instructions will also be posted on WebAdvisor and CourseLink.

Additional Information to Note:

  • Students with a current request for academic consideration should note these are being reviewed by your committee as faculty and staff continue to work remotely.
  • New requests for academic consideration related to the format of course delivery, grading scheme, or a revised final examination should be sent to your program counselling office.
  • The credits from a "Pass" designation will be counted in the cumulative total of credits.
  • Pass designation counts toward prerequisites in the same manner as a numerical grade.
  • If you are currently on probation, you will remain on probation for the next term. No students will be required to withdraw based on their Winter 2020 grades.
  • The University will work with departments where there are numerical grade requirements for specific courses.
  • The University is looking ahead to the impacts of COVID-19 on future semesters and planning for the impacts on course availability.