Quick Facts: Academic Consideration
Academic Consideration during the Semester
When you require consideration for course work before the final day of class of a semester (i.e. a missed mid-term examination) you request it from the instructor of the course. If at all possible requests for consideration during the semester should be made prior to the date on which the work is due.
Academic Consideration beyond the end of the Semester
When you require consideration for course work beyond the final day of class you must submit a Request for Academic Consideration. Request submission deadlines are included as part of the policy and may be specific to the action you are requesting. The deadline is normally expressed as a number of class days.
Instructions for Making a Request for Academic Consideration
- Complete a Request for Academic Consideration Form ~ you need to complete all sections of the Request for Academic Consideration form from the Enrolment Services Downloads, Forms & Documents prior to submission. If your request is related to a specific course you need to indicate the course you are seeking consideration for.
- Write a Letter ~ in addition to the Request for Academic Consideration form you should include a personal letter that outlines the medical, psychological or compassionate grounds for your request. If you are asking for consideration for one course and you took others at the same time you need to explain why that course was affected by your circumstances and the others where not. After writing your letter read it yourself keeping in mind that it presents your case on your behalf since you do not have the opportunity to speak to the Academic Review Committee in person. The Committee can deny your request if you do not provide sufficient or detailed information.
- Provide Documentation ~ include supporting documentation for the medical, psychological or compassionate grounds on which your request is based. If you were ill you must include a medical note that describes the nature of the illness, the date of its onset and its duration. If you require consideration based on psychological grounds you must include a letter from a medical doctor, a psychiatrist or a counsellor in the University's Counseling Services. The letter should indicate the nature of the symptoms, date of onset and duration as well as impact on your academic performance. Requests based on compassionate grounds also require documentation where possible (i.e. a police report or funeral notice depending on the circumstances).
- Submit your Request ~ you will need to submit your Request for Academic Consideration. This package will consist of the completed Request for Academic Consideration form, the personal letter, and copies of your supporting documentation. You must submit your request to either Undergraduate Program Services in the Office of Registrarial Services or your program counseling office in accordance with the deadlines for submission in the policy.
Consideration of your Request for Academic Consideration
Academic Review Sub-Committees meet to consider requests after the deadline for submission of requests on behalf of the Program Committee for your degree program. Members of the committee are provided with copies of the request you submitted along with your transcript. Your request is discussed confidentially by the committee and a decision is made based on the information provided.
Response to your Request for Academic Consideration
The decision of the committee is recorded by the Office of Registrarial Services and you are sent a letter that indicates the outcome of the request. You may also phone or email the program counseling office to obtain the result. If you require clarification of the decision you should contact your Program Counsellor and make an appointment to discuss it.
Appeal of a Decision
If the instructor denies your request for consideration during the semester you may make a Request for Academic Consideration to the Academic Review Sub-Committee. If the Academic Review Sub-Committee denies your request for consideration you may appeal that decision to the Senate Committee on Student Petitions. Information about petitions process and deadline dates for submission of appeals is available in Section VIII of the current Undergraduate Calendar.
Questions about the Student Petitions process should be directed to the Judicial Office (UC Level 4, Senate Office).
The complete Academic Consideration and Appeals policy is outlined in Section VIII of the current Undergraduate Calendar.