RYERSON
UNIVERSITY POLICY OF SENATE
UNDERGRADUATE GRADING, PROMOTION, AND ACADEMIC
STANDING (THE �GPA POLICY�)
Policy Number:������������ ���������������������������� 46
Revision
Approval Date: ��������� ������������� April 7, 2020
Revision Implementation Date: ���������� Winter
2020
Previous Approval Dates:���������������������� February
3, 1987 (original policy date); November 6, 2001;
����������������������������������������������������������������������� March
5, 2013
Revised:
January 13, 2004; April 5, 2005; January 29, 2008;
January 27,
2009; March 1, 2011; January 24, 2012;
May 31, 2016;
January 28, 2020
Policy Review Date:���� ���������������������������� 2017
Responsible Office:���������������������������������� Registrar
1.0������� POLICY OBJECTIVES
The
objectives of this policy are:
i.
to establish a consistent minimum standard for acceptable overall
academic performance;
ii.
to provide a consistent and fair system for determining students'
eligibility to graduate; and
iii.
to provide all students with a system of academic standing that is
based on uniform definitions and
categories for their academic progress from first enrolment to graduation.
2.0
POLICY ELEMENTS
���������� 2.1������� Graded
Course Performance Designations: The final percentage grade in a course ����������������������������������������������������������������� will
be rounded to an integer as per standard
mathematical practice before ������� ������������������������� converting to a letter
grade. *
����������� *For example, a
49.5% would be rounded to 50% and 49.3% would be rounded to
����������� 49%.
� �
������������� 2.1.1.� ���
Performance
Description
|
Letter Grade
|
Grade
Points
|
Percentage Range
|
|
A+
|
4.33
|
90-100
|
Excellent
|
A
|
4.00
|
85-89
|
|
A-
|
3.67
|
80-84
|
|
|
|
|
|
B+
|
3.33
|
77-79
|
Good
|
B
|
3.00
|
73-76
|
|
B-
|
2.67
|
70-72
|
|
|
|
|
|
C+
|
2.33
|
67-69
|
Satisfactory
|
C
|
2.00
|
63-66
|
|
C-
|
1.67
|
60-62
|
|
|
|
|
|
D+
|
1.33
|
57-59
|
Marginal
|
D
|
1.00
|
53-56
|
|
D-
|
0.67
|
50-52
|
|
|
|
|
Unsatisfactory
|
F
|
0.00
|
0-49
|
� ���������� Final academic performance in each course is recorded as one of the
above letter ������� grades or as one of
the "other" designations listed below. At the discretion of the ���������� teaching Department, performance on
term work or specific assignments may be ������������ marked
on a numeric scale. When a numeric scale is used, it will result in a
percentile ���������� scale with ranges of
conversion to letter grades as shown in the Calendar. If any other ������������ numeric scale is to be used, its
ranges of conversion to letter grades shall be defined for ���������� the students at the start of the
course.
2.2.������ Other Course
Performance Designations
������������������� 2.2.1 �� Non-graded designations acceptable for
transfer credit purposes, but not �������������� included
in any calculation of grade point averages:
PSD � (Passed) - acceptable performance in a course graded only pass or fail
(as pre-defined in the course outline).
CHG � (Challenge) - transfer credit achieved through a successful challenge
examination.
CRT � (Credit) - transfer credit achieved through an acceptable grade in an equivalent
course (as determined by the Ryerson course teaching Department) completed at
Ryerson or at another post-secondary institution. Such credit may be granted as
a part of the admissions process. For students already enrolled in their
program, this type of equivalence credit is normally granted only on the basis
of a prior letter-of-permission from the course teaching Department.
������������������� 2.2.2. � Other course performance designations which
may be assigned at the ����������
���������������������������������� discretion of
the teaching department:
INC � (Incomplete) - incomplete coursework or a missed final examination due
to documented medical or compassionate grounds*. An INC can be awarded only
when some work remains to be completed and when the completion of the
outstanding work or an alternate final examination may result in a passing
grade. An INC will be assigned to students who have not completed a required
Academic Integrity Tutorial for educational purposes as defined in Policy 60, Academic
Integrity. The outstanding work or alternate examination must be completed by a
specified date within 3 months of the submission of the INC unless alternative
arrangements have been made with the program�s Chair/Director. **
The INC will be replaced by an official course grade when the work is
completed. If the work is not completed by the deadline the INC will become a
grade of F. The designation INC is not included in calculating the grade point
average nor is it counted as a transfer credit or failed course. An INC can be
changed to an AEG (see below) by a Dean under exceptional circumstances.
* Students must petition their instructor to receive an INC grade
within 3 working days, or as soon as reasonably possible, of the missed final
examination or final assignment deadline. Supporting documentation (e.g. Ryerson
Medical Certificate) must be provided. Instructors awarding an INC grade must
provide the student, within 7 working days, with a written statement of
outstanding work to be completed and the date by which it must be completed (or
the date of the alternate final examination). The instructor must also file a
copy of this documentation with the Chair/Director of the Teaching
Department/School.
** If an extension is provided and an INC is not completed by the end
of the semester following when it was given, students will not be permitted to
enroll in any course for which the INC course is a prerequisite. If a student
has more than one INC remaining past the end
of the following semester, at the discretion of the program the student
may be prevented from registering in any courses.
AEG � (Aegrotat) - credit granted by a Dean, in
consultation with the instructor, only under exceptional circumstances when
there has been acceptable performance in a course and some coursework remains
to be completed.
DEF � (Deferred) - an interim grade assigned during the investigation of
academic misconduct (as described in the Student Code of Academic Conduct). The
DEF grade will be replaced by an official course grade upon resolution of the
matter.
F-S � (Failure � Supplementary) marginally failing performance that may be
raised to a minimum pass through a redeemable failure, students with an F-S
designation would have to apply to write such an examination which would be
scheduled prior to the end of the second week of classes during the next
academic term. The F-S grade will be converted only to a D- or to an F,
depending on performance. (The
original F-S will remain on the student�s record.) Meanwhile, the F-S grade is
treated as an interim failed grade and is calculated in the grade point average
at zero grade points. The resulting grade point average is normally considered
to be provisional until the end of the
period during which the redeemable failure would be written. If an academic
standing cannot change as a result of clearing an F-S grade, the provisional
standing will automatically be converted to a formal standing.
FNA - (Failure, Non-Attendance) - awarded by an instructor when the student
has been absent from most course meetings and has submitted no work for
grading. This grade is assigned when a student abandons a course without
completing a formal withdrawal prior to the established deadline dates. This
grade is counted as a failure in the calculation of grade point average.
FLD � (Failure in a Pass-Fail course) - Failure to meet the minimum acceptable
standards for a course graded on a pass/fail basis. Failures in such courses
will not be included in calculating the grade point average but will be counted
as a failed course to determine academic standing for approved
department/school standing variations and for graduation.
2.2.3. � Designations assigned by the Office of the
Registrar that are not included in ������������������������������������������ GPA
calculations, nor in establishing academic standing, nor as academic �������������� program credit
������������� AUD � (Audit) - course attended as auditor only; no grade will be assigned.
������������� CNC � (Course not for credit) - course not for credit in the current program,
this designation is recorded on the transcript as information supplementary to
the grade earned in the course.
������������� GNR � (Grade Not Recorded) - grades have not been submitted for an entire
class. The student should initiate an inquiry with the faculty member and/or
teaching department within one month of receiving the GNR grade unless a grade
revision is received.
������������� INP � (In Progress) - indicates course work in progress with at least one
more term of formal course registration and study is required for completion
(e.g. extended absence requires repeating the course, or a final thesis is
still in progress); the designation INP
������������� is not included in
calculating the grade point average, nor as either a credit or a failed course.
�������� 2.2.4. � CRD,
CRV - Credit / NCR - No Credit
Credit/No Credit designations may be used during an unforeseen period
of academic disruption as declared by the President and Vice-Provost, Academic
in response to extenuating circumstances such as institutional closure (e.g. COVID-19),
extended labour dispute, natural disaster or other circumstances that
significantly impede academic continuity across the university. These
designations are not included in GPA calculations or in calculating academic
standings but may replace an earned letter grade.� CRD, CRV and NCR grades will appear on the academic record and
official transcript.
CRD (Credit). Grade can only be requested when the earned grade is a D- or
higher and the course is not part of a program variation. Will not be included
in the calculation of the GPA. Counts as a credit towards program requirements.
A course with this grade is counted as an attempt.
CRV (Credit for Standing Variation Course). Grade can be requested for
courses that are part of a program variation requirement when the earned letter
grade exceeds the minimum requirement for the specific program variation. The
eligibility of this grade is subject restrictions defined by Academic Program
departments during the period of academic disruption. This grade will not be
included in the calculation of the GPA but will count as a credit towards
program requirements. A course with this grade is counted as an attempt.
NCR (No Credit). Grade can only be requested when the earned grade is F, F-S,
FLD or FNA and will not be included in the calculation of the GPA and will not
count as a credit towards program requirements. This grade is not counted as a
failed attempt in determining academic standing. For programs and courses with
academic standing and/or graduation variation requirements, this grade can be
requested when the earned grade is below the minimum requirements for the
specific program variation, subject to restrictions defined by Academic Program
departments during the period of academic disruption.
������������������������������� 2.2.4.1.������ A
student cannot request a CRD/CRV and NCR grade replacement as ���������� well as a formal grade appeal. Should
this occur, the formal grade appeal will ������ take
precedence and the CRD/CRV and/or NCR grade request will be cancelled.
���������������� �������������� 2.2.4.2. ����� Students who have a finding of academic misconduct and have been ������������� assigned a Disciplinary Notation
(DN) in a course are not eligible for a CRD, CRV ������������� and/or NCR grade.
���������� 2.3 ������ Grade
Point Average (GPA)
������������� A cumulative grade
point average (CGPA) is calculated as an indicator of overall academic
performance and is used as a criterion for graduation requirements, academic awards
and distinctions, and for determining academic standing during study in a program.
�������������������� 2.3.1. � For purposes
only of calculating grade point averages, courses of single-term ���������������������������� and multi-term
duration will be given weights of 1.00 and 2.00 respectively, with ��������������������������� provision for
variation from this norm under exceptional circumstances.
������������� 2.3.2.��� The grade point average is calculated as the
sum of the products of course ������ weights
and earned grade points, divided by
the sum of the course weights, and ������������� rounded
up to the next higher second decimal place.
������������������� 2.3.3. � The following
course performance designations are NOT included in calculating ���������������� the grade point average -- AEG, AUD, CNC, CHG, CRT, DEF,
INC, INP, GNR, FLD, ������������������������� PSD,
CRD, CRV and NCR.
2.3.4. � Courses
completed prior to formal program admission will not be included in the
calculation of grade point averages.
Such courses may qualify for transfer credits towards the program and receive
CRT designations.
2.3.5. � The designation
F-S is counted as an interim failure and included in the grade point average at zero grade points until a final grade
is assigned.
2.3.6. � The designation
FNA is included in the grade point average at zero grade points and counts as a failure when academic standings are assigned.
2.3.7. � The grade
earned for a repeated course is substituted for the previous grade in
calculating subsequent grade point averages even if the later grade is lower, but
both attempts are recorded on the
transcript. No course can be repeated more than twice. If at least one of the course attempts results in a passing
grade (including a CRD or CRV grade), the course will count towards graduation
requirements irrespective of the sequence of grades earned. The NCR grade is not counted as an attempt.
2.3.8. � An initial
grade point average is not calculated until the student has received three or more course grades.
2.3.9. � The cumulative
grade point average is calculated at the end of each academic term for which
additional course grades have been recorded on the student's transcript and is
calculated on all of the student's formal Ryerson course grades in the program
in which the student is registered.
2.4 ������ Academic
Standings
������� ����������� In undergraduate degree and diploma programs, each
student's academic standing will ���� be
established from the student's formal course grades at the end of each academic
����������� term on the basis of the
following categories and criteria for overall academic ������������� performance:
������������������� 2.4.1. � Clear - a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 1.67 (except where ������������������ the student has violated an approved Department/School standing
variation or, ���������������������������� while
on probation, the student has
violated the terms of their Probationary ������������� ����� Contract).� Students with Clear standing may
continue their program studies �������������������� with
no restrictions except for the
obligation to satisfy requisite requirements.
������������������� 2.4.2.��� Probationary - a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 1.00 to 1.66.
������������������������������� 2.4.2.1.������ Students with Probationary
standing are required to have a ������������� developmental
Probationary Contract outlining a specific plan for studies and ����� academic supports authorized by their
program School or Department and ���� signed
by the student. Students who fail to have such a Probationary Contract �������������� by the last day to add courses for the specified term, will
have their course ��� registrations and
course intention requests cancelled for the term in question.
���������������� �������������� 2.4.2.2.������ Students with a Probationary standing at the start of any semester �� will be eligible to continue their studies in a subsequent semester as long as
they �������������� achieve a term grade point
average (TGPA) of 1.67 or higher and provided they � meet the terms of their Probationary Contract and do not violate
approved �������������� Department/School
standing variations. Failure to meet the terms of the ������������� Probationary Contract as set out by the School or
Department will result in the �������������� student
being RTW from their Ryerson program.
������������������������������� 2.4.2.3.������ Except for
students who follow the Student Success Program outlined ���� below, who may attain a Clear standing, students who are reinstated to
their ��� program after an RTW standing
return on Probation. Some programs may ��������� reinstate
students with a probationary contract which may significantly restrict �������������������� course load and require
successful completion of specific program course(s). ���� Programs may also specify grades which must be achieved.
������������� 2.4.3.��� Standing Variation Withdrawal (SVW) � Students who meet the university�s ����� definition for clear academic continuance (a CGPA of
1.67 or higher) but who ������������� have
not met their program�s standing variation requirements will be � permanently withdrawn from their program. SVW
students will be eligible for �� transfer
to other undergraduate programs for which they are qualified subject ��������� to the competitive admissions process.
������������� 2.4.4.��� Required to Withdraw (RTW) - Students will be RTW from their program for any
������������� �������������������� one of the following reasons:
i.
a CGPA of less than 1.00 (except students
enrolled for their first semester);
ii.
a term GPA below 1.67 while on probation;
iii.
violation of a Probationary Contract (including
unauthorized changes to the contract or
failure to negotiate a Probationary Contract).
������������������ �������������������� No student in their first semester at Ryerson
will be RTW in December. Students ��������������� with
a GPA of less than 1.00 in their first semester will be advised about their �������������������� prospects for success. Such
students who continue in their program for the �������������������������� subsequent
Winter semester will do so on Probation.
������������������ �������������������� Schools/Departments, at
their discretion, may issue a special contract in cases ��������������� where the program judges the student to have a
realistic chance of achieving a �������������������� Clear
standing in the semester following assignment of RTW by taking up to two �������������� courses. Students remain RTW
during this semester. If the student fails to �������������������� achieve
a CGPA of 1.67 at the end of that semester, s/he will remain RTW. If the ���������������� student is successful, s/he
will return as Clear.
������������������ �������������������� Students who have been
denied reinstatement to their program twice may not �������������������� reapply for reinstatement to that program.
2.4.4.1.
Procedures for RTW students who wish to be considered for
reinstatement to their
program
2.4.4.1.1.
In
the semester immediately following the assignment of RTW
standing
(for this purpose Spring/Summer is included): Students
may not register in any Ryerson credit courses and no courses taken at another
institution will be counted towards graduation requirements for a Ryerson
degree program.
2.4.4.1.2.
In the second semester following assignment of RTW standing
a.
Student Success Program
i.
Students may request to
participate in a defined Student Success Program (SSP) under an SSP
participation contract. Students will be allowed to take up to two credit courses
and may be required to participate in other activities or workshops designed to
address their needs. Courses taken as part of the SSP will be included in the
student�s CGPA. Criteria for participation, terms of the contract and the required outcomes will be established by
the program. Programs, including part-time programs, will provide information
each year on the usual criteria used
for participation in the SSP. Students may participate in an SSP only once
during their academic careers at Ryerson. Normally, withdrawal from, or
unsuccessful completion of, an SSP will constitute one attempt.
ii.
Students approved by a program to
participate in the SSP will be designated
as having an Extended Academic Probation (EAP) standing. (See section 2.4.4).
iii. Students
who do not successfully complete their second semester contract return to RTW standing
and may apply to be reinstated to their program for the semester following the
third semester. Prior to reinstatement these students may not register
in any Ryerson credit courses
and no courses taken at
another institution will be counted towards graduation requirements for a
Ryerson degree program.
b.
Students who are not eligible for
the SSP, or who do not wish to participate in the SSP, may apply to be reinstated to their program after the
third semester following assignment of RTW. Prior to reinstatement these
students may not register in any
Ryerson credit courses and no courses taken at another institution will be
counted towards graduation requirements for a Ryerson degree program.
2.4.4.1.3.
�In the third semester
following assignment of RTW standing
a. Students
who successfully complete the requirements of their second semester SSP
contract will be given a further SSP contract, which may allow them to take up
to four credit courses. Courses taken as part of the SSP will be included in the student�s CGPA. The terms of the
contract and the required outcomes will be established by the program,
including part-time programs. Programs, including part-time programs, will
provide information each year on the
usual criteria used for evaluating acceptable performance in the SSP. Students
approved by a program to participate in the SSP will be designated as having an
Extended Academic Probation standing.
b. Students
who do not successfully complete their third semester contract return to RTW standing
and may apply to be reinstated to their program for the semester following the
third semester. Prior to reinstatement these students may not register in any Ryerson credit courses
and no courses taken at another institution will be counted towards graduation
requirements for a Ryerson degree program.
2.4.4.2.
Procedures
for students who are assigned an RTW standing and
wish
to be considered for transfer to another program:
������� �������� Students
must consult with the University Admissions Office and the program to which
they wish to transfer. At the program�s discretion, a student may follow an SSP
sequence as outlined above. Such students will
be placed on EAP standing. If approved
for such a transfer SSP, there is an understanding that the transfer program
commits to admitting the student pending successful completion of the SSP.
Students may apply for transfer for the semester following the third semester
as defined above. Applications for transfer will be considered as outlined below.
2.4.4.3.
Procedures for reinstatement or transfer after the period of
RTW or Extended Academic Probation:
2.4.4.3.1.
Students who successfully complete
their third semester SSP
contract are
automatically reinstated to their program, and do not need to apply. They may
return as Clear or on Probation.
2.4.4.3.2.
Students who did not successfully
complete their second or third semester
SSP contract, or who did not participate in the SPP, may apply for
reinstatement for the semester following the third semester.
2.4.4.3.3.
Applications for reinstatement will be considered by Faculty
and/or program committees based on criteria, assessments and/or procedures
developed by the Faculty or program in consultation with the Registrar's
Office. Past academic performance and space availability will normally be considerations. Programs, including
part-time programs, will provide
information each year on the usual criteria used for evaluation of
reinstatement applications.
2.4.4.3.4.
Applications
for transfer will be considered by the University Admissions Office in
consultation with Faculty and/or program admission committees. Past academic performance and space availability
will normally be considerations.
2.4.4.3.5.
Students who
are reinstated to their program or are approved for transfer upon successful
application or successful completion of an SSP, will be reinstated or
transferred with Probation or Clear standing based on their past academic
performance. If they proceed as
Probationary students, they will be
required to have a Probationary Contract as outlined in section 2.4.2.
2.4.5. Extended
Academic Probation for First-Time RTW Students:
2.4.5.1.
Extended
Academic Probation (EAP) is a special, provisional academic standing available only to first-time RTW
students who participate in a defined Student Success Program as described in
section 2.4.3 of this policy.
2.4.5.2.
To remain
EAP, students must fulfill all required components in each of the two semesters
of the SSP. Students deemed not to be meeting the program-specified
requirements at any time will be withdrawn from the SSP and will return to RTW standing.
2.4.6.
Permanent
Program Withdrawal:
�������������������� Students will be
Permanently Withdrawn from their program for the �������������������������������������� following reasons:
i.
Any academic
performance that would result in �Required to Withdraw� standing
for a second time;
ii.
Failure of a course required by
their program for a third time;
courses with NCR grades will not be considered a failed attempt.
iii.
Failure to meet the terms of a
probationary contract following return after an RTW standing.
�������������������� Students who are
Permanently Withdrawn from a program may not apply for ������������������������ reinstatement into that program. Students
who are Permanently Withdrawn �������������������� from
a program may apply to a different program for the Fall semester of the ����������������������� following calendar year.
2.4.7. Disciplinary Suspension
�������������������� Students who
have been placed on Disciplinary Suspension (DS) for Student ���������������������� Code of Conduct
violations will not be permitted to register in any course at the �������������������������� University during
their period of Disciplinary Suspension. Students who have ����� ����� served
their period of Disciplinary Suspension must contact their program ������������������� department to make arrangements for reinstatement.
2.5 ��� Graduation Requirements
����������� To be eligible for
their program's graduation award as authorized by Senate, students ������� must have met the following academic
requirements:
a.
successful completion of all courses in the program's curriculum
with at least a minimum passing
grade (or a non-graded transfer credit) in each course,
b.
and achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 1.67 or
higher in graded Ryerson courses;
c.
completion, as a Ryerson student registered in the program, of
studies that normally include at
least a final one half of the program's curriculum
i.
all applicable, credit-level
Continuing Education courses may be used to meet Ryerson degree or diploma requirements.
ii. students
who have enrolled in (or graduated from) Ryerson degree or diploma programs may
qualify for Continuing Education certificates only through the completion of
additional (beyond the requirements of their degree or diploma) Continuing
Education courses representing at least one-half of the requirements of the
certificate in question; and
d.
formal admission to, and
registration in, the program for which the award is sought.
e.
completion of the program's
curriculum within a time span from first enrolment to graduation that normally does not exceed the number of years
calculated as follows:
i.
for full-time programs, the
maximum number of years is the number of years scheduled for full-time study
multiplied by 2. In the case of
co-op programs requiring an additional year
of program registration, one additional year shall be added to the normal time limitations;
ii.
for part-time Degree or Diploma
programs, the maximum number of years is the
number of required single-term courses (or equivalent) divided by 3; and
iii.
for part-time Certificate
programs, the maximum number of years is the number of required single-term courses (or equivalent) divided by 2,
plus one year.
Under extenuating circumstances, students may be granted
permission by the Dean of the relevant Faculty or Division to extend these time
limits. In order to graduate, a student will be required to meet the academic
requirements in effect when the extension is granted, or such alternative
requirements as may be stipulated by the program School or Department in
keeping with Ryerson�s academic policies.
f.
Students pursuing a Continuing
Education Certificate must complete 50 per cent of the required number of courses as a registered Continuing
Education student enrolled in the certificate program. At least 50 per cent of
the courses must be taken over and above the student�s degree/diploma studies.
2.6 ��� Graduation with
Distinction
���������� ����������� Students
graduating from an undergraduate degree or diploma program with an ������������� overall cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher will graduate
"With ����������� Distinction"
and will have this academic
distinction recorded on their transcript and ����� graduation award.
3.0 ������ Operational Policy Elements
a.
The specific criteria defined for grading, graduation
requirements, graduation with distinction, academic standing, and course
weights are intended to establish University-wide standards. However, amended
or additional criteria may be authorized by Senate for a particular program or
Faculty.
b.
Only final course grades and F-S grades will be used as a basis
for determining academic standing.
c.
Academically equivalent courses (as determined by the course
teaching Department) offered through any Ryerson academic organizational unit
have the same academic status for purposes of graduation and academic standing
as the courses designated and normally offered for a program's curriculum.
d.
Restricted academic standing may result from either unsatisfactory
academic performance or serious violation of the Codes of Conduct.
e.
In the application of all academic policies, students have their
established rights of academic appeal.