For academic consideration based on medical grounds a student may be asked to provide documentation for the period of the illness. The necessity for documentation will depend in part upon the length of the illness and the amount of work missed during this time. Such documentation will always be required in the event of a request for consideration beyond the grade submission deadline for the course. If the medical situation results in missed semester work, the student should contact the instructor, presenting medical documentation where warranted. If the absence due to illness is of a duration that will affect a number of courses or completion of the semester's work, the student must contact the program counsellor for advice and consideration.

When the absence affects final examinations or final assignments the student should go to Student Health Services or a personal physician for documentation. The student must present the medical documentation to the program counsellor.

For academic consideration based on psychological grounds the student may be asked to provide documentation for the period affected. The necessity for documentation will depend in part upon the length of the problem and the amount of work missed during this time. Such documentation will always be required in the event of a request for consideration beyond the grade submission deadline for the course. The student should submit this documentation to the program counsellor who will then advise the instructor of the need for consideration. If the difficulty is of a duration that will affect a number of courses or completion of the semester's work, the student must contact the program counsellor for advice and consideration.

Unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control in either his/her personal or family life may affect academic performance. The procedure to follow to request academic consideration based on compassionate grounds depends upon the severity of the circumstance and the amount of work missed. Students may wish to contact the instructor for consideration for missed work resulting from a compassionate circumstance. If the circumstance is more significant, or if the consideration sought will go beyond the grade submission deadline for the course, the student must consult with the program counsellor. Generally, work commitments will not constitute grounds for academic consideration.

If due to medical, psychological or compassionate circumstances a student is unable to complete any portion of the course's work the student should:

1. Inform the instructor-in-charge of the course in writing.

2. If the instructor requests it, supply documentation. If documentation is unavailable, consult your program counsellor.

3. Complete and submit missed work by the new deadline established by the instructor.

4. Consult with the program counsellor if circumstances warrant (see a) and b) above).

If the medical, psychological or compassionate circumstance is such that it could affect overall semester performance or the ability to meet the course grade submission deadline, the program counsellor should be consulted regarding an appropriate course of action.

Faculty members should exercise discretion when requiring documentation, particularly when the assessment in question constitutes a small proportion of the course grade, or when alternative means for carrying out the assessment are available.

The Board of Undergraduate Studies recommends that faculty make every effort to accommodate students representing the University in extracurricular activities when there is a conflict between those activities and the requirements of the course.

If the student does not submit all of the required work by the course grade submission deadline, the instructor shall refer the situation to the Academic Review Sub-Committee. The instructor cannot grant extensions beyond the final date for submission of grades for the course.

If the student and the instructor cannot arrive at a mutually agreeable accommodation to complete course requirements prior to the course grade submission deadline, the program counsellor may act as a mediator. The program counsellor may discuss the issue with the department chair if appropriate.

In the event that medical, psychological or compassionate circumstances are affecting the student's overall performance, the program counsellor will ensure that the student's instructors are advised that academic consideration based on medical or compassionate grounds is warranted. In such cases the program counsellor may be of assistance in co-ordinating instructors' responses to the request for consideration.

If due to medical, psychological or compassionate circumstances the student is unable to complete a final requirement of the course by the course grade submission deadline and wishes academic consideration, the student should:

1. Consult with the program counsellor for advice on the appropriate consideration that should be requested.

2. Submit a request for consideration on the "Request for Academic Consideration" form available from Undergraduate Program Services, Office of Registrarial Services or the program counsellor. Deadlines for Academic Review Sub-Committee meetings can be found in Section III--Schedule of Dates.

In a case where a student has not completed course requirements by the course grade submission deadline, the instructor shall complete the "Instructor's Recommendation" form recommending that the student be granted one of:

1. a passing grade

2. credit standing

3. a deferred privilege

4. a grade reflective of work completed to date

1, 2, or 3 will only be granted by the Academic Review Sub-Committee if the medical evidence or compassionate reasons have been verified and accepted. 4 will be granted if the medical or compassionate circumstances presented are inadequate or insufficiently documented. The instructor should include with the Instructor's Recommendation Form any documentation provided to the instructor by the student in support of the academic consideration request.

A student who receives credit standing will receive credit in the course without a numerical grade. This course will not be included in the student's overall average or specialization average.

A deferred privilege could be approval to write an examination and/or to submit an assignment(s). Deferred privileges are normally required to be completed early in the following semester, refer to Section III--Schedule of Dates. The Schedules Section, Office of Registrarial Services, will inform the student of the deadline for the deferred privilege (see Deferred Privilege).

If on the basis of acceptable medical, psychological or compassionate documentation a numerical passing grade or credit standing is granted rather than a deferred privilege, the student may request the deferred privilege. The request must be submitted in writing to Undergraduate Program Services, Office of Registrarial Services, by the end of the add period for the following semester.

A student may appeal any decision of the Academic Review Sub-Committee to Petitions. The appeal must be submitted to the Office of the Judicial Officer within 90 days of receiving notification of the decision. Requests submitted after this deadline will not normally be considered.

Students should speak to the Judicial Officer before submitting a petition to ensure proper completion of the form.

The Committee will not normally consider a petition concerning an illness or incident that occurred at some time in the past unless there is a reasonable explanation for the delay in submitting the petition.

Before submitting such a petition the student must have submitted a written appeal to the chair of the department of the instructor assigning the course grade and have received from the chair of the department a written statement that every effort has been made at the department level to resolve the issue. The student must provide the Judicial Officer with a clear and concise statement of the allegations.