Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

(a) The Committee on Standing is responsible for implementing the University Grading Practices Policy, and for formulating, implementing, and administering Faculty regulations relating to the Grading Practices Policy. Regulations specific to the Faculty have been approved by Faculty Council.

(b) The methods by which student performance will be evaluated and the relative weight for different assignments will be made available in written form to the class. This will occur as early as possible in each course, and no later than the last day to enroll in the course,

(c) Normally, student performance in a course is based on more than one assignment. No one essay, test, examination, etc. should have a value of more than 80% of the grade. Exemptions to this regulation may be granted by Faculty Council on the basis of criteria developed by the Committee on Standing. In such circumstances, a formal discussion of student progress and appropriate written commentary must be made available to the student at the midpoint of the course.

(d) The methods of evaluation and their relative weights may not be changed without the consent of a simple majority of the students enrolled in the course, once these have been made known.

(e) All course grades submitted will be reviewed by the Committee on Standing before being released to students. The Committee may request clarification of the evaluation methods used and of anomalous grade distributions, or may require that grades as submitted be reconsidered. No grades are final or shall be released to students as official until the divisional review procedure has been carried out.

(f) In each course there shall be an examination or examinations conducted formally and worth (alone or in aggregate) at least one-third of the final grade. Criteria for exemption may be determined by the Course Co-ordinator/Instructor.

(g) Commentary, appropriate in the instructor's judgment, on assessed term work, and time for discussion of it, will be made available to students.

(h) Grades, as an expression of the instructor's best judgment of each student's overall performance in a course, will not be determined by any system of quotas.

(i) Failing papers will be re-read automatically by a second Faculty member. Students failing clinical placements will be assessed automatically by a second Faculty member.

(j) Group evaluation, where used, will not constitute more than 25% of the final grade.

(k) A student will be permitted one opportunity only during the Program to write a make-up examination if he/she has misread any information regarding a scheduled test or examination.

(l) A student will not be eligible to begin Year 2 until all Year 1 courses are successfully completed. 

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In evaluating written work and clinical performance, grades will be assigned with reference to the following scale, meaning and definition:

Note: For all NUR courses the passing grade point value is 1.7.

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The Grade Point Average is the weighted sum (a full course is weighted as 1 or more, a half-course as 0.5) of the grade points earned, divided by the number of full courses in which grade points were earned.

Three types of grade point averages are used:

1. The sessional GPA is based on courses taken in a single session (Fall, Winter or Summer).
2. The annual GPA is based on courses taken in the Fall and Winter Sessions.
3. The cumulative GPA takes into account all courses taken for degree credit in the Faculty.

The grade point averages reported for each session are:
Fall Session – sessional and cumulative GPA
Winter Session – sessional, annual and cumulative GPA
Summer Session – Sessional and cumulative GPA

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Note: In the following, a reference to “1.5 courses” refers to the equivalent of a Y course plus an H course, regardless of the weighted course equivalency.

The method for determining the final grade for each course will be the responsibility of the teacher or course leader. The breakdown of marks and grading practices will be made available to the students in writing at the start of each course, and will comply with the University Grading Practices Policy.

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The ability to communicate in a scholarly manner in both speaking and writing is an expectation of the baccalaureate nurse. Scholarly writing is expected and will be considered in the grading of assignments.

The reference for format for papers will be:
Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association (4th ed.). Washington: American Psychological Association, 1994.

The teachers for each course are responsible for collecting and returning all written assignments, and must set up an arrangement whereby papers can be signed in upon receipt. Students are responsible for ensuring that the teacher receives the paper.

Students are advised to keep a photocopy of their papers before submitting them.

The teacher for each course will determine the due date for assignments and consider individual requests for an extension of the due date.

1. Extensions for both written assignments and oral presentations will be granted for extenuating circumstances only. Requests for extensions must be made in writing prior to the due date. A medical certificate may be required for extensions due to illness.
2. Grades of papers submitted after the due date with no extension or after the extended due date will be lowered by 2% for each day that the paper is late, weekends included.
3. An oral presentation, for which no extension has been granted, which is not presented on the assigned date, will receive a grade of 0.
4. Written assignments that are more than two weeks late will not be accepted without prior arrangements. To have the assignment graded, the student must petition to the Committee on Standing, within a month of the due date of the assignment. The petition must be supported with evidence of illness or personal circumstances that interfered with the student’s ability to complete the assignment on time.

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1. Examinations are held in December, April and July. All students are expected to be available until the end of the scheduled examination periods. Students who make personal commitments during the examination periods do so at their own risk; no special consideration will be given and no special arrangements made in the event of conflicts in such circumstances.
2. Within three months of the issue of final results, students may be allowed on request to review their final examination papers in any required course in the presence of a designated staff member. Examination papers may not be removed from the Faculty. Arrangements must be made with the Office of Student Affairs. If, upon inspection of the examination paper, a student wishes to have it re-read, a petition should be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs, outlining the student's reasons in detail. A fee of $35 will be charged. The petition must be submitted within three months of the issue of final results. Such a petition will be granted only when it contains specific instances of disagreement with the existing grading and an indication of the academic grounds for such disagreement. If the mark is changed as a result of this petition, the $35 fee for the petition will be refunded.

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1. The grade point average is calculated and status is assigned at the end of each academic year.
2. Courses noted “INC”, “IPR”, “PASS/FAIL”, “SDF”, “WDR”, or “XMP” are not included in the average, nor are transfer credits, courses taken on letter of permission, or courses designated as "extra". The computation of the average will be delayed if "SDF" has been granted in any credit course.
3. To receive credit in each NUR course, the final grade point value must be at least 1.7.
4. To receive credit in courses other than NUR courses, the final grade point value must be at least 0.7.
5. To obtain credit in NUR courses which include clinical practice, students must achieve a passing grade in both the theory and clinical practice components of the course. (A grade of “Pass” or “Fail” will be assigned for NUR470Y). Students who do not achieve a pass in both components of the course will receive a grade point value of 0.0. Attendance at clinical practice is compulsory.
6. Failure to maintain consistent attendance at seminars, classes and lectures may jeopardize the student’s grade in the course.
7. Students are expected to participate in laboratory classes where observation and/or practice is carried out on themselves or on a fellow student.
8. To proceed in the program, a student must pass all courses with a clinical or lab component.
9. A student who has failed a course must repeat all prescribed work in the failed course.
10. A student who has failed to obtain credit in the equivalent of 1.5 required courses will not be allowed to register in the next higher year until the courses have been successfully repeated.

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The following status designations may be assigned in the instances described:

1. In Good Standing: a student who has successfully completed all credit courses taken in an academic year with an overall grade point average of 1.7 or higher.
2. Conditioned - May Proceed: a student with an overall grade point average of 1.7 who has failed one of the following courses: NUR351, NUR370, NUR380, MPL202, NUR410, NUR420.
3. Conditioned - May Not Proceed: a student with an overall grade point average of 1.7 who has failed one of the following courses: NUR350, NUR363, NUR364, NUR371, NUR460, NUR461.
4. On Probation: (a) a student who has a grade point average of less than 1.7 in any academic year; or (b) a student who has failed to achieve standing in 1.5 courses in any academic year. A student shall be on academic probation for a period of 12 months.
   The requirements for lifting probation are: (a) successful completion of all courses taken during the probationary period; (b) clearance of any previously failed courses; (c) achievement of a grade point average of at least 1.7 in the probationary period.
5. Registration Cancelled: (a) a student who fails more than 1.5 courses during a year; (b) a student who, during the program, fails any one course twice or fails two courses with a lab or clinical practice component; (c) a student who fails to clear probation; (d) a student whose marks would invoke probation a second time in the undergraduate program; or (e) a student who withdraws from the full-time program after the deadline for withdrawal without academic penalty (except for medical or similar reasons, for which proof must be submitted).
6. Suspended (See p. 24, Code of Student Conduct, D. Sanctions; and p. 28, Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters, C.I. (B), Divisional Sanctions.)The Faculty may suspend a student from registration in the program for a given period of time not exceeding two years and/or until the satisfaction of other conditions as it may see fit. Upon satisfying the conditions of the suspension, the student shall be eligible for consideration to re-register in the program.

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1. Students who wish to withdraw from the program should consult with the Office of Student Affairs. Students who withdraw from the program must return their photographic identification, student and library cards with the receipt of notification of withdrawal.
2. Students who wish to withdraw from any course must notify the Office of Student Affairs promptly. Merely ceasing to attend lectures or informing the instructor, although it is courteous to do so, does not constitute official withdrawal. Notice of withdrawal, Student TCard, and access cards to health facilities must be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs by the last day to drop a course without academic penalty as listed in the sessional dates & deadlines. Students who (1) do not write the examination, or (2) cease to attend lectures after the last day to drop a course without academic penalty as listed in the Academic Calendar, without having officially withdrawn, will be assigned a mark consisting of the weighted average of the course work completed. Petitions for exception based on medical or compassionate grounds, together with supporting documents, must be submitted to the Registrar before the end of the examination period.

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Parental Leave

This policy is intended to recognize the need of leave at the time of pregnancy, birth, or adoption, and to permit a pause in studies in order to provide full-time care in the first year of parenting a new child.

Either parent may request up to three sessions of leave, i.e., up to one calendar year, which must be completed within twelve months of the date of birth or custody. While on parental leave, students do not register or pay fees to the University.

Students may apply for parental leave by completing the Parental Leave Request form. The terminal date of the degree program will be extended by the duration of the leave taken. Normally, the start and finish of the leave would coincide with the beginning and end of a session. Before re-entering, students should meet with the Program Director to plan their re-entry into the program.

Leave of Absence for Serious Health Problems or Personal Circumstances

Students may apply in writing to the chair of the Committee on Standing for a one to three term leave of absence, i.e., up to one calendar year, on the grounds of serious health or personal problems which temporarily make it impossible for them to continue in the program. To apply for a leave of absence the student must complete the Leave Request Form and submit it to the Chair of the Committee on Standing for approval.

Once on leave, students are not registered in the Undergraduate Program and are not required to pay fees. During their leave, students may not make demands upon the resources of the University, such as use library facilities, attend courses or engage in any coursework.

Students whose leave of absence was granted on the basis of a serious health problem will be required to provide a medical certificate indicating that they are able to resume their studies before they will be allowed to continue in the program. They then will meet with the Program Director to plan their re-entry into the program. The terminal date of the degree program will be extended by the duration of the leave taken. Normally, a student will not be granted more than one leave of absence under the terms of this policy.

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Students whose registration has been cancelled and who wish to be readmitted to the program must petition the Admissions Committee at the Faculty of Nursing for permission. The decision to readmit will be determined by previous academic performance, safety and places available.

Normally the Faculty will not grant re-admission or further registration in the program to any student who has failed two clinical courses or one clinical or non-clinical course twice.

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All requirements for the BScN degree must be completed within four years from the date of the student’s first enrollment. Students who have been absent from the program should meet with the Program Director before re-entering.

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A student whose performance in nursing practice is unsafe, or whose attendance in any NUR course is deemed unsatisfactory, may be required to withdraw from a course, or may have his/her registration in the program cancelled by the Committee on Standing.

Unsafe performance is defined relative to course expectations. Unsafe performance in clinical practice includes behaviour that reflects a lack of knowledge, skill or judgment, or disregard for the welfare of the patient/client. Unsafe performance indicates that the student is unfit to continue in a course or courses or to continue as a student in the program.

The process is as follows:

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(a) An academic appeal is an appeal by a student:

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(i) On entry to the Academic Appeals Committee Meeting, the appellant and/or counsel are informed that the members of the Committee have read but not discussed the appeal and related material.
(ii) Both parties and/or their counsel have the right to call and examine/cross-examine witnesses and present their arguments and submissions, including any new information. The parties are requested however to only highlight, and not repeat points already made in the submitted materials.
(iii) The Committee members may then wish to raise questions to the appellant about the evidence presented.
(iv) If the appellant has had a petition refused by another committee in the Faculty of Nursing that is relevant to the appeal, the chair of that committee will be asked to present the reasons for refusal. If it not possible to attend in person that chair will be asked to provide a written statement summarizing the reasons for the refusal of the petition.
(v) If the appeal concerns a Faculty member, that person will be invited to attend the hearing to respond to the appeal. A written statement from the instructor may be elected as an alternative.
(vi) The appellant will be ensured the opportunity to make a final statement.
(vii) After both parties have completed their arguments and the members of the Academic Appeals Committee have completed the questioning of the parties, the student, his/her counsel, and any other person who has taken part in this hearing shall withdraw and the Academic Appeals Committee shall proceed to consider and determine their decision on the appeal.
(viii) The decision of the Academic Appeals Committee will be determined by a majority show of hands.
(ix) The decision of the Academic Appeals Committee will be sent by registered mail or other receipted delivery within four working days following the meeting at which the decision is made.
(x) When communicating the decision to the appellant, the Academic Appeals Committee will give a concise but complete statement of reasons for the decision.

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A student shall be eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree when all requirements of the program have been satisfactorily met.

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