11 Academic Considerations

Academic Consideration is a process for the university to provide a compassionate response to assist students experiencing a short-term extenuating circumstance, which is defined as 3 months or less.

Consideration is based on the principle of good faith, wherein the university and instructors understand that student circumstances and documented requests are legitimate.

Similarly, students understand that Academic Consideration options are provided with the best interest of the student in mind, ensuring they meet essential academic requirements.

Consideration options are at the discretion of the instructor and may include:

• an excused absence
• a deferral
• an extension
• a modified schedule for assignments, projects, labs, or placements
• an alternative assignment
• a re-weighting of term marks
• permission for an incomplete grade
• course withdrawal without penalty (this requires an appeal to the Associate Dean of Studies)
• other options at the discretion of the Professor

Short-Term Academic Consideration

Short-term Academic Consideration can be requested for a maximum of 3 days. These requests must be submitted within 4 days of the onset of the extenuating circumstance (e.g., if a student is requesting Consideration for September 1, they must have their request submitted into this system by September 4 at the latest).

Courses that have flexible deadlines, universal design, or Academic Consideration built into the course already may not be eligible for short-term requests.

Without Documentation

Each student can make one short-term request for up to 3 days without supporting documentation during each academic term. (i.e., Fall, Winter, Summer). These types of requests cannot be used during the exam period, nor can they be withdrawn once used. After the student has used this request, all subsequent requests for the remainder of the term will require documentation.

With Documentation

Once students have used their short-term request without documentation, all additional requests for Academic Consideration for the remainder of the term will require supporting documentation.

Long-Term Academic Consideration

Requests for long-term Academic Consideration can be submitted for at least 4 days to a maximum of 3 months. These requests should be made as soon as the student’s need becomes apparent.

This type of request requires supporting documentation, which needs to be submitted within 5 business days of submitting the request.