Guidance on Winter Performance Requests
27 April 2020
Posted: April 27, 10:30 a.m.
To University of Alberta Instructors:
Dear colleagues,
Following the university’s decision to use CR/NC grading for Winter 2020, you may have received student requests for additional feedback to supplement or provide a formal explanation of the CR/NC grading. For students applying to highly competitive programs, this issue is of particular importance. After consultation with faculty representatives, feedback from instructors, and discussions and decisions at General Faculties Council, we can now provide the following resources:
- Students and instructors can now download a standard, official U of A letter from the Vice-Provost and University Registrar that includes an explanation of the institutional-wide change in grading to CR/NC for Winter 2020.
- Instructors have the option, but are not required, to supplement Winter 2020 CR/NC grading with individual feedback or commentary on student performance.
- If an instructor chooses to provide an individual letter or feedback, optional guidance resources are now available.
- Students have also been provided guidance on requesting term feedback and letters of reference.
Note that grades and performance feedback for the Winter 2020 term will not be used by the University of Alberta for any admissions decisions.
Sincerely,
Melissa Padfield
Vice-Provost & University Registrar