Today, interim changes to our grading policy were announced to support student success and to maintain our academic integrity while recognizing the impacts of the evolving COVID-19 situation. The following note was sent to all students:
Dear students,
Let me first start by saying THANK YOU. You have faced a whirlwind of change, and I want to acknowledge your patience and ability to transition to online learning under such stressful circumstances. Completing the winter semester this way was not what anyone expected and I know you are stepping up and doing your best to make it work.
We are at the end of the second week of our alternate delivery model, and we have received a great deal of feedback from you and from our faculty and staff. In response, we are putting in place key interim changes to our standard practices to support your academic success and to maintain our academic integrity while recognizing the evolving COVID-19 situation.
The following interim changes will be implemented for the Winter 2020 semester:
Use of Incomplete (INC) Grading
For courses with lab/shop/studio/placement or other face-to-face delivery requirements that cannot be completed until we return to campus, students will receive an incomplete grade (INC) when grades are released. Once you have had the chance to return to campus or to a placement setting, and have achieved the required course learning outcomes, we will replace the incomplete (INC) grade with your final grade.
Withdrawal-Late Notation (for the Winter 2020 semester only)
If you do not pass a course, you will automatically receive a Withdrawal-Late (WL) notation on your transcript. This notation will be reflected on your permanent transcript as a reflection of Humber’s change to its standard grading policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key things to understand about the ‘WL’ notation:
- The ‘WL’ notation is not a grade and will not impact your GPA.
- You will not be granted credit for courses in which a ‘WL’ was awarded.
- You will still be required to repeat the course where necessary to complete program requirements.
- The course where a ‘WL’ has been assigned will not count as a course attempt.
- You will not receive any tuition or fee refunds as a result of receiving a ‘WL’ notation.
Extension to the withdrawal date without academic penalty
In order to give you time to consider the changes outlined above, the last day to withdraw without academic penalty has been extended from Friday, April 3 to Thursday, April 9.
The Registrar’s Office will contact any student who decided within the last two weeks to withdraw from a course. Students in that position will have the chance to reconsider their decision, and to re-enroll.
Once again, thank you for your cooperation and patience as we all navigate this unprecedented time together. If you have not had the chance to use the virtual supports available to help with your academic, and health and wellness needs, I would encourage you to do so.
Please stay well,
Laurie Rancourt
Senior Vice-President, Academic