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If Things go Wrong

WD Policy

A student may withdraw from one or more courses per term, subject to restrictions imposed by the Faculty, after the end of the third week of lectures, until the end of the tenth week of lectures. These courses will remain on a student's record and will be assigned grades of WD. Each WD grade will count as a course attempt but will not be included in the student's averages, units completed or failure counts.

A student may withdraw from one or more courses after the end of the tenth week of lectures, until the day before the first day of exams. A student should consult an Academic Advisor before withdrawing during this interval, because these courses will remain on a student's record with a grade of WF (withdrew/failure) and will count as failures.

The Faculty's degree requirements stipulate that the difference between the number of units attempted and the number of units completed cannot exceed five. A student will be required to withdraw if the total unit value of excluded courses, WDs, and repetitions of (non-excluded) passed courses exceeds five units.

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External Commitments

It may happen that external commitments, such as working in a family business or caring for an ill family member, might force you to take excessive time away from your studies. In these circumstances, you should seriously consider postponing university studies until your commitment is fulfilled, so that your grades are not affected adversely. Please discuss your circumstances with an academic advisor.

Do Not Overload on Math Courses

Students sometimes increase their workload to an unrealistic level by enrolling in five math courses in one term. There is a temptation to do this in second year in an attempt to satisfy plan requirements at an early stage.

We recommend that you discuss your academic record with an advisor before taking on such a challenge.

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Illness During the Term

If you become seriously ill during the term, it may be desirable for you to reduce your course load or withdraw completely from your studies so that your grades are not adversely affected.

If you become ill after the WD deadline submit a petition to the S&P Committee. It should be supported by a medical certificate requesting permission to withdraw from one or more courses. It is essential that you assess your situation and take the appropriate action immediately. Petitions of this nature must be made before lectures end for that academic term. You should also speak to your academic advisor or to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies (MC 4024).

Illness During Exams

If you become seriously ill during the exam period and miss an exam, you must provide a medical certificate, as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the exam period to your instructor(s), who may assign an incomplete grade (INC) for the affected course, if appropriate. You should be aware that an instructor will not automatically grant a grade of INC. Poor performance during the term can easily cause an INC not to be granted. If an INC is granted, you will normally be asked to write the exam the next time the course is offered.

If you become ill during an exam, and are unable to continue, you should inform the chief proctor before you leave the exam and then proceed as described above. If you complete an exam, the grade that you obtain will normally stand.

If you are granted a grade of INC in a course, you will not be allowed to enrol in a subsequent course that requires the INC course as a prerequisite.

The total unit weight of INC courses and the courses enrolled for the current term may not normally exceed 3.25 units. If an INC will not be completed in the current term because the course is not offered, you may obtain permission from an academic advisor to exceed this limit.

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Medical Certificates

A medical certificate should describe the nature of your illness, the degree of incapacitation, and the precise period of absence. Incomprehensible statements are not acceptable. Health Services uses a standard form for medical certificates. If you go to an off-campus doctor, you should request that the Verification of Illness form is completed.

Petitions to the Standings & Promotions Committee

The Standings and Promotions Committee (S&P) consists of a representative from each area of study and is chaired by the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. On occasion, due to illness or other circumstances beyond your control, it may be appropriate for you to submit a petition requesting that an exception be made to an academic regulation. All such petitions are considered by the Faculty's S&P Committee.

You may find it useful to discuss your situation with an academic advisor before submitting a petition (petition instructions). You should provide a clear but concise description of the problem you are facing and indicate when it first arose. Submit the completed form to the Registrar's Office (NH 2001) with supporting documentation (e.g. a medical certificate).

S&P meetings are held every second Tuesday. Petitions must be received in the Registrar's Office (NH 2001) by noon on the Thursday prior to the meeting.

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Concerns About Teaching

Teaching is one of the Faculty's primary mandates and we take it seriously. On occasion, you may find that some aspect of a course is unsatisfactory. If so, discuss the problem with the instructor, either individually, or in a group with some of your classmates.

If you believe that further action is required, discuss the matter with the instructor's Department Chair or School Director. If the situation is still not resolved to your satisfaction, discuss the matter with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies.

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Last Modified:  Tuesday 10 April 2012
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