CR/NCR FAQs for students
(Adapted from the Faculty of Science, with thanks to Dean Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell)
General Questions
1) Why are we not allowed to choose between a letter grade and CR/NC?
This University wide decision was made by the General Faculties Council Executive Committee to ensure equity among all students, to preserve academic integrity and to manage the issues presented by an uncertain future including the impact on students. You can find the reasons for this decision here.
2) I have worked really hard this semester - can I apply for an exception so I can get a letter grade rather than a CR/NC?
The Faculty of Native Studies will not be granting exceptions to the CR/NC.
3) What is the benefit of a CR/NC vs a W?
You have done the work in the course, and will get *3 if you get CR for the course. It will then count towards program requirements and prerequisites. If you take a W, you will be required to take the course again if it is needed. You do have the option to withdraw from the course, take a W, and retake the course at a later date to receive a letter grade. The decision is up to you.
Graduation
4) I needed the winter term GPA to keep me in good standing in my honors program, will I still graduate from that program?
Yes, as long as you have completed *120 (inclusive of the courses for which you receive CR) and all other program requirements, and theoretically could have met all GPA requirements. If you have a NC and the result is you are short credits, we cannot clear you to graduate.
5) I needed this grade to bring up my major GPA. Will I still graduate?
Yes, as long as you get CR in the course(s) and theoretically could have met the major GPA. This will not apply if you get a NC or you have withdrawn. You must meet all other program requirements. We will clear all those who theoretically could have cleared the min GPA requirement.
6) I had a graduate readmission application into another program, how will that be impacted?
As long as you have completed *120 (inclusive of the courses for which you receive CR) and all other program requirements, and theoretically could have met all GPA requirements, we will process your graduate readmission.
Continuation/Academic Standing
7) I needed the winter term GPA to keep me in good standing in my honors program, will I still remain in that program?
Yes, as long as you have maintained all other requirements (courses, course load) required for your program, and if you theoretically could have met any GPA requirement(s) for your program. You will have the option to appeal if you did not meet the continuation criteria, in particular if you were unable to maintain the minimum course load due to extenuating circumstances.
8) I am on Academic Warning and did well in the Fall term. Will I clear Academic Warning?
Yes, if you theoretically could have met any GPA requirement(s) for your program and you have met all other program requirements other than the GPA requirement.
9) I am on Academic Warning and did not do well in the Fall term. Will I clear Academic Warning?
No, if you did not have a 2.0 in the Fall term you will remain on Academic Warning for Fall 2020, and be reassessed then as long as you have met all other program requirements other than the GPA requirement.
10) I am on probation and did well in the Fall term. Will I clear probation? And what if I don't meet my 2.0 GPA for my major courses this year?
Yes, if you theoretically could have met any GPA requirement(s) for your program and you have met all other probation conditions outlined in your letter.
11) How will my grade of CR or NC be determined in a course?
All Winter 2020 course outlines will be updated by instructors to outline all changes to exams, assessments, and grading. The new course syllabi will be made available to students.
Admission
12) How will my admission into the Faculty of Native Studies be evaluated?
Our process is to review fall term grades (and any prior F/W) and determine if you are admissible based on the program requirements outlined in the calendar. If you are admissible at that time, we offer you early admission. The CR/NC policy does not change this. If you are not admissible based on your fall term grades, we will hold your record for further evaluation.
13) I am taking prerequisite courses to get into Nursing/graduate school/etc. and the grades I get are used for admission. Will I be okay if I get CR? What if I withdraw?
Only the Faculty responsible for administering the program can answer your questions. In the case of this example, you need to contact the Faculty of Nursing or the appropriate graduate program, etc.
14) I have an application into another faculty, how will that be impacted?
The receiving faculty (or other institution) retains the authority to decide how they are going to admit. You should contact them directly to understand how they are managing admissions.
The receiving faculty (or other institution) retains the authority to decide how they are going to admit. You should contact them directly to understand how they are managing admissions. Please note that these are extenuating circumstances, and many programs are needing to rethink the way they have historically evaluated applicants given the COVID-19 pandemic.