I. Formal Relationship Between the University and Students

Upon registering and while registered in a for-credit course, program of study or audited course offered by or through the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), a Student enters a formal relationship with the University by which they

• acknowledge the right of the University to set acceptable standards of Academic Integrity and of Academic and Non-Academic Conduct;
• accept and agree to be subject to the University’s Policies, Rules and Procedures; and
• accept the right of the University to investigate, impose discipline and determine consequences for Academic or Non-Academic Conduct found to have violated the University’s Standards, Policies, Rules or Procedures.

By registering to become a student at UNBC, a Student agrees to enter the formal relationship outlined above.

Students are required to inform themselves of UNBC’s policies, procedures, rules and regulations, and any subsequent amendments in place at the University. Please refer to the following website to access UNBC’s Policies and Procedures: www.unbc.ca/policy.

II. UNBC's Core Values and Statement of Principles

1. UNBC is a place of research, teaching, and learning, where members of the university community value inclusiveness and diversity, community, integrity, and academic excellence. These values are supported through an unwavering commitment to free expression and debate in an atmosphere of respectful interactions, safety and good conduct.

2. The University is committed to reconciliation and recognizing Aboriginal Ways of Knowing within the Academy. UNBC’s motto, 'En Cha Huná, meaning “they also live,” sets a foundation of respect, and reflects a shared commitment to responsibility, reciprocity and relationship in the interactions between students and the University community as a whole.

3. All members of the University community share the responsibility for the academic standards and reputation of the University. Academic integrity is founded on values of respect for knowledge, truth, scholarship and acting with honesty. Upholding academic integrity is a condition of continued membership in the University community.

4. The University strives, whenever possible, to take an educational and developmental approach to Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct, informed by knowledge and respect for mental health, well-being, cultural differences, and principles of reconciliation.

5. The University adheres to the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice in working to ensure that students, faculty and staff are aware of their applicable rights and responsibilities with respect to Academic and Non-Academic Conduct, in investigating alleged misconduct, and when taking steps to establish or impose consequences.

III. Academic Conduct and Non-Academic Conduct

UNBC is committed to creating a scholarly community characterized by free expression, open debate, critical and free inquiry, and diversity of thought and perspective; the orderly and safe enjoyment of University facilities by all members of the University community; and the proper functioning of the University and protection of University property.

The Academic and Non-Academic Conduct Student Policy defines students' responsibilities as academic community members, defines inappropriate student conduct, and provides procedures and outcomes to be invoked if students engage in such behaviour. Each student is responsible for their conduct that affects the University community.

A student may appeal a decision made or disciplinary measure imposed in response to a finding of Academic Misconduct. A student may appeal a suspension imposed in response to a finding of Non-Academic Misconduct. In accordance with the University Act, the appeal is to the Senate Committee on Student Appeals.

For more information on academic conduct and non-academic conduct and the appeals processes at UNBC, visit www.unbc.ca/policy.

IV. Harassment, Discrimination and Diversity Initiatives

UNBC is committed to providing a working and learning environment in which all students, staff and faculty are treated with respect and dignity. UNBC acknowledges the right of all individuals in the University community to work or learn without discrimination or harassment. An approved policy, available at www.unbc.ca/policy, applies to all members of the UNBC community.

V. Notification of Disclosure of Personal Information to Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada is the national statistical agency. As such, Statistics Canada carries out hundreds of surveys each year on a wide range of matters, including education.

It is essential to be able to follow students across time and institutions to understand, for example, the factors affecting enrollment demand at postsecondary institutions. The increased emphasis on accountability for public investment means that it is also important to understand 'outcomes'. In order to conduct such studies, Statistics Canada asks all colleges and universities to provide data on students and graduates. Institutions collect and provide to Statistics Canada student identification information (student's name, student ID number, Social Insurance Number), student contact information (address and telephone number), student demographic characteristics, and enrollment information.

The federal Statistics Act provides the legal authority for Statistics Canada to obtain access to personal information held by educational institutions. The information may be used for statistical purposes only, and the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act prevent the information from being released in any way that would identify a student.
Students may contact Statistics Canada via e-mail if they have any questions: statcan.PSIS-SIEP.statcan@canada.ca.

VI. BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

UNBC gathers and maintains information used for the purposes of admission, registration and other fundamental activities related to membership in the UNBC community and attendance at a public postsecondary institution in the province of British Columbia. Information provided to the University by students, and any other information placed into the student record, is protected and used in compliance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (2014).

VII. General Academic Regulations

1. Purpose of Academic Regulations
UNBC is committed to high academic standards as well as to assisting students to achieve their educational goals.
The Academic Regulations provide the framework within which academic programs are completed, and offer academic guidance along the program path.

The University reserves the right to add to, alter, or amend these regulations at any time.

2. E-mail Communication
E-mail is one of the official means of communication between UNBC and its students. All students are assigned a UNBC e-mail address upon admission. The e-mail address assigned to a student by the University will be the only e-mail address used by UNBC for communication with students for academic and administrative purposes. Students are responsible for checking their UNBC e-mail account regularly so as to remain current with administrative and academic notifications. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that time-critical e-mail is accessed, read, and acted upon in a timely fashion. If a student chooses to forward University e-mail to another e-mail address, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the alternate account is active.

3. General Requirements for a Degree With a Major
First-entry undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credit hours with (except for the BA General and BSc Integrated degrees, and professional programs) a major subject. A major is a set of academic credit hours that, taken together, offers a strong concentration in a particular subject area or discipline as defined by the University Senate. Special regulations apply to individual degree programs and to honours degrees, the requirements for which should be consulted as well.

4. Continuing/Returning Students
A continuing student is one who has registered in one of the last three semesters. Unless such a student has been required to withdraw, or is suspended, the continuing student can return to the University without reapplying. A returning student is one who has not registered in any of the last three semesters. The student must reapply to the University and, if readmitted, will be governed by the general and program regulations in effect at the time of readmission.

5. Course Load
A full course load for a student is considered to be five courses (15 credit hours) in any one semester. Not more than 21 credit hours may be attempted in a semester except by permission of the Dean of the Faculty in which the student is majoring or has indicated an intention to complete a degree.

6. Full-Time Studies
In any given semester, a full-time student is one who is registered in 9 credit hours or more in that semester.

7. Part-Time Studies
Any student who registers in fewer than 9 credit hours per semester is considered a part-time UNBC student in that semester. Students applying to UNBC to study part-time are subject to the regular admission requirements.

8. Classification of Students
For purposes of classification and reporting, all undergraduate students in first-entry programs will be designated as First Year, Second Year, Third Year, or Fourth Year students.

To be considered a Second Year student, one must have obtained a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit towards a degree, or at least 21 semester hours of credit and be registered for sufficient additional semester hours of credit in the current or next semester to total 30.

To be considered a Third Year student, one must have obtained a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit towards a degree, or at least 51 semester hours of credit and be registered for sufficient additional semester hours of credit in the current or next semester to total 60.

To be considered a Fourth Year student, one must have obtained a minimum of 90 semester hours of credit towards a degree, or at least 81 semester hours of credit and be registered for sufficient semester hours of credit in the current or next semester to total 90.

9. Auditing Courses
To audit a course is to attend lectures without being responsible for doing assignments or writing examinations.

No credit is given for a course taken in this manner, but courses audited will be recorded on a student’s transcript.

To audit a course, a student needs the permission of the instructor, and in some cases must pay an auditing fee.

Except by the express permission of the instructor, an auditing student does not participate in class discussion.

10. Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend classes on a regular basis. Instructors may establish attendance requirements for each class. These expectations must be defined in the course syllabus.

11. Challenge for Credit by Examination
Under the conditions set out below, students may challenge for credit in a course by writing an examination during an examination period or at a time designated by the course instructor. To be eligible to challenge for credit, a student must be currently registered at UNBC, or have been admitted to study at UNBC other than on a Letter of Permission. Each Dean, on the advice of the program Chair, will decide which courses are eligible for challenge exams. Students who have earned credit for the course at UNBC or for the equivalent course at another institution, or who have audited the course at UNBC or another institution, or who are currently registered in the course at UNBC, are not eligible to challenge for credit in the course.

Students may not challenge a prerequisite course after successfully completing the advanced course. Students may not challenge a course which they have previously failed. Grades for course challenges are recorded on the transcript and the grade is included in the calculation of the GPA.

Application for Course Challenge forms are available at the Office of the Registrar. Students must submit the completed and approved form and payment for the course challenge to the Office of the Registrar not later than the last day of classes in the applicable semester. The fee for course challenge is one-half the regular tuition fee for the course and is non-refundable.

Arrangements for a challenge examination may be cancelled up until the last day of classes in the applicable semester. A student who pays for a challenge exam and does not cancel the arrangement by the deadline or does not write the exam will receive a grade of F.

12. Advanced Standing
In cases in which course challenge is not possible or appropriate transfer credit is unable to be granted, the program Chair or instructor, as appropriate, upon review of the student’s background, may grant a student permission to undertake advanced coursework without the normal prerequisites. Such advanced standing will not reduce the number of credit hours that the student must accumulate to obtain a UNBC degree.

13. Lower Division and Upper Division Courses
All 100 and 200 level coursework is designated as “lower-division”. Coursework done at the 300, 400, and 500 levels is designated as “upper-division”.​​​​​​​

14. Residency Requirement for Graduation
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of upper-division UNBC coursework to receive a UNBC degree.

15. Academic Breadth
Students pursuing the degrees of BA, BComm, BHSc, and BSc are required to meet the University’s Academic Breadth requirement as a condition of graduation. Each graduate is required to have completed successfully at least 3 credit hours from each of the following four areas, or to have transferred to UNBC from another institution acceptable credit hours such that the requirement is met:

Arts and Humanities: At least 3 credit hours of courses with the prefix ENGL, HIST, PHIL, WMST.

Social Science: At least 3 credit hours of courses with the prefix ANTH, COMM, ECON, EDUC, ENPL, FNST, INTS, NORS, ORTM, POLS, PSYC.

Natural Science: At least 3 credit hours of courses with the prefix BIOL, ENSC, ENVS, FSTY, GEOG, HHSC, NREM.

Physical Science: At least 3 credit hours of courses with the prefix ASTR, CHEM, CPSC, MATH, PHYS, STAT.

This requirement applies to all students admitted or readmitted to UNBC for studies beginning in the September 2010 semester or later.

Students pursuing the degrees of BA Nature Based Tourism Management, BA Nisga'a Language Fluency, BSc Biology, BSc Conservation Science and Practice, BSc Forest Ecology and Management, and BSc Wildlife and Fisheries are exempt from this regulation because academic breadth has been incorporated within the curricula.

16. Official and Unofficial Transcripts
Official transcripts are confidential and are only released on authority of the student. Transcripts issued to an institution, company, or agency are mailed directly to their address, or held for pick-up at the Office of the Registrar in confidential envelopes marked ‘Official Transcript’. In extenuating circumstances, official transcripts may be issued to a student. Third-party requests must be accompanied by a signed authorization from the student.

Each transcript will include the student’s complete record at the University. Since credit earned is determined on the results of final examinations, a transcript will not include results of mid-term examinations.

Transcripts will not be released without payment of the required transcript fee, and/or if there is an outstanding financial obligation to the University.

Requests for transcripts can be made online by using the login link at www.unbc.ca or by completing a Transcript Request Form available online at www.unbc.ca/registrar/transcripts. There is a three business day turnaround for transcript requests.

Unofficial transcripts are available to students directly through their myUNBC Student Account.

17. Evaluation of Transcripts
The evaluation of transcripts is the responsibility of the Office of the Registrar. Questions relating to transfer credit should be dealt with at the beginning of a student’s program. Except for courses taken during that semester on a Letter of Permission, under no circumstances will consideration be given to transfer credit requested during the final semester (15 credit hours) of a student’s program.

18. Time Limit for Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is not normally awarded for courses completed in excess of 10 years prior to the date of first UNBC registration. Courses more than 10 years old are normally assigned unspecified credit. Once transfer credit has been granted, a student must maintain their continuing student status (see Continuing/Returning Students in Regulations and Policies) in order for transfer credit to be retained.

19. Letters of Permission
A Letter of Permission ensures that courses successfully completed at another institution will be transferred to UNBC for consideration as credit toward the student’s degree program. Before taking courses from other post-secondary institutions for credit on a Letter of Permission towards a UNBC credential, a student must

1. complete at least 9 credit hours of study at UNBC and are not in their first semester of admission (or re-admission);
2. be in good academic standing;
3. not have any outstanding obligation to the University, which may include, but is not limited to, the following:
   • tuition fees owing;
   • library or other fines owing;
   • outstanding library loans;
   • outstanding equipment or other loans.

Coursework taken on a Letter of Permission is considered to be transfer credit, and therefore subject to all policies and practices related to transfer credit. Letters of Permission are only valid for the semester in which they are issued. Extensions will require the submission of a new Letter of Permission request. Letters of Permission will not be processed for the current semester after the withdrawal date of that semester.

Students who complete courses without having first obtained a Letter of Permission risk not having those courses accepted for transfer credit.

20. Criminal Records Review
Under the requirements of the Criminal Records Review Act (2014), UNBC requires, as part of the application process, criminal record reviews for applicants to program areas that involve working with children or other vulnerable persons. The cost of this search is the responsibility of the student. Results which identify relevant criminal convictions may disqualify an applicant from admission into a program. Submission of a Criminal Records Search at the point of admission does not preclude either the program or provincial certification bodies from requesting a subsequent Criminal Records Search prior to field placement or professional registration.

Criminal Records Searches are requirements for the following undergraduate programs:

• Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

21. Student Access to Official University Record
Students have the right to inspect their official university record, including the student file, under the supervision of a staff member and as maintained by the Office of the Registrar. Students have the right to have access to their financial assistance file, as maintained by Awards and Financial Aid under the supervision of a staff member. Assessment reports and letters of reference submitted by third parties in support of students applying to professional programs will not be available for inspection. Students may inspect their official university record during normal office hours, and upon advance request in writing. When students inspect their original records, examination will be permitted only under conditions that will prevent alteration or mutilation. In the event of a dispute as to the accuracy of the information maintained in their official university record, a student may appeal to the Registrar.

22. Declaring a Major
All undergraduate students other than students enrolled in programs leading to the degrees of BEd, BScN, BSW or General/Integrated degrees (for which majors do not apply), are required to declare a major before the end of the semester in which they will complete 30 credit hours (See General Requirements for a Degree With a Major in Regulations and Policies). Students intending to pursue a General or Integrated degree program must declare this intent before the end of the semester in which they will complete 30 credit hours. A student who transfers into the University must declare a major at the time of application unless the transfer is to any of the degree programs indicated above. Declaration forms are available online at www.unbc.ca/registrar/forms.

23. Double Majors
Double majors are permitted in the BA, BComm, and BSc degree programs. Within the Faculty of Environment, students pursuing the BPl degree are permitted to double major only within the degree program. Completion of the double major entails completion of the requirements for each major. Any courses that are included in the requirements for both majors may be counted for both. Note: If double majors fall between two degrees, students must select only one degree: BA, BComm or BSc. They do not qualify for more than one.

24. Minors, Areas of Specialization, and Areas of Focus
UNBC offers minors in a number of subject areas, as outlined in the undergraduate calendar. A minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours and, in most cases, a maximum of 27 credit hours. At least 12 credit hours of any minor must be completed at the upper-division level. A maximum of two courses (6 to 8 credit hours) used to fulfill the requirements for a major (or another minor) may also be used to fulfill the requirements for a minor, except when specified in program regulations for individual minors. Students are not permitted to include more than two minors in the same degree program. Some degree programs require the mandatory completion of a minor in order to meet degree completion requirements. Please refer to the undergraduate programs pages for specific details. Minors are recorded on a student’s official transcript.

An Area of Specialization is a set of courses required or expected to be completed within the context of a major. Areas of specialization require at least 12 credit hours.

An Area of Focus is a set of courses recommended to students who may wish to concentrate their studies within their major. Areas of focus are not required for the major, and are not recorded on the transcript.

25. Co-operative Education
Except by permission of the Co-operative Education Program:

1. no student may be registered for more than one course in addition to a “Co-op Work Semester” during a work term, with the exception of an approved parallel work term;
2. Co-operative Education students must finish their academic programs on an academic term, not a work term;
3. no student may drop or withdraw from a “Co-op Work Semester” once registered in it.

26. Time to Complete an Undergraduate Degree
Except by permission of the Dean, students must complete their undergraduate degree program within 15 years of their first semester of registration.​​​​​​​

27. Second Undergraduate Degrees
Students who have earned a Bachelor’s-level degree at UNBC or at any other accredited university may obtain a second Bachelor’s degree (or the same Bachelor’s degree in the case of the BA or BSc) from UNBC under the following conditions:

1. not more than sixty (60) of the credit hours counted towards the second degree may be taken from the first degree; and
2. the major subject in the second degree must be clearly distinct from the major subject in the first degree. Where there is any doubt on this point, the decision of the relevant Dean will be final. Students contemplating second degrees are encouraged to consult the relevant Dean in advance.

28. Application of Certain Professional Courses to Earn an Undergraduate Degree
With the approval of both the program Chair and faculty Dean, certain credits in the Northern Medical Program at UNBC/UBC and in accredited programs in the health professions at other universities may be accepted towards the Bachelor of Science degree. Applications for degrees under this regulation will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and in no case subsequent to the conferral of the professional degree in question. Not more than thirty (30) semester hours of professional credits may be counted.

29. Registration After the Published Add/Drop Date
No student is permitted to register for any course after the last date to add courses as published in the academic calendar except on the express written permission of the Dean, on the advice of the instructor and of the program Chair under whose authority the course is offered, as appropriate.​​​​​​​

30. Change of Grade After Submission of Final Grades
Except for grade changes resulting from formal Academic Appeal, any changes in final grade after the initial grade submission must be transmitted to the Office of the Registrar through the appropriate Chair, except in cases where a Chair's grades must be approved by the appropriate faculty Dean.​​​​​​​

31. Repeating Courses
Except by permission of the Chair, students are allowed to repeat a course only once. Both grades are recorded on a student's transcript, and only the higher grade will be calculated into a student's GPA and be used for credit towards a credential. In the case of more than one failed attempt, only the result of the most recent attempt will be calculated into the GPA. In cases where the repeated course is a required course for a specific degree, two failed attempts may result in the student being required to withdraw from that degree program.

Note: Repeating a course to achieve a higher passing grade may have implications for student loan purposes. Consult with the Awards and Financial Aid Coordinator for more information.

32. Course Exemptions
At the direction of a the program Chair, specific course exemptions from course requirements may be granted. Nevertheless, the total number of credit hours for the degree still must be earned.​​​​​​​

33. Conferral of Degrees
All students who expect to receive a credential must apply to graduate. Students are eligible to graduate at the end of each semester. All applications for graduation must be received by the Office of the Registrar before each deadline, accompanied by the appropriate (non-refundable) graduation fee.

34. Graduation Constraints

1. Normally, the program regulations that apply to a student’s graduation are those that applied in the academic year in which the student was most recently admitted for continuous registration.
2. Application for graduation must be received by the Office of the Registrar no later than November 1, March 1, and July 1 to graduate in the September, January, and May semesters, respectively.
3. Students are not permitted to graduate while on Academic Probation (i.e., CGPA less than 2.00) or while any Academic Appeals are pending.
4. Students are not permitted to graduate with deferred grades (DEF) remaining on their transcript.
5. Students who have any outstanding obligation to the University will not be issued an official transcript. Outstanding obligations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• tuition fees owing;
• library or other fines;
• outstanding library loans;
• outstanding equipment or other loans.

35. Grounds for Withholding Official Transcripts
In instances of non-payment of any portion of tuition, prescribed fees or University library fines and/or bills, or of delinquency in the return or replacement of University property on loan, or non repayment of cash advances or loans, or violation of a residence contract, the University shall not permit a student to register for further courses, and shall not issue an official transcript. The above prohibitions shall be in force until such time as indebtedness to the University has been cleared to the satisfaction of the University.​​​​​​​

36. Grading
Each course taken for academic credit is assigned a final grade at the end of the semester. The final grade for each course will be indicated by a letter grade and a grade point on the student’s transcript.​​​​​​​

Grade Point Average: Grade Point Average (GPA) is a method of expressing a student’s academic performance as a numerical value. Each letter grade is assigned a numerical equivalent, which is then multiplied by the credit hour value assigned to the course to produce the grade point.​​​​​​​

Semester Grade Point Average: Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) is computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours taken in a semester. See Repeating Courses in Regulations and Policies for the treatment of repeated courses in GPA calculations.

Cumulative Grade Point Average: The UNBC Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) expresses performance as a numerical average for all UNBC courses for all semesters completed. The CGPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned to date by the total number of credit hours undertaken to date. (Letter grades of P or W are not assigned a numerical value and are not used in calculating the grade point average.) See Repeating Courses for the treatment of repeated courses in GPA calculations. The CGPA provides the numerical value used to determine good academic standing or academic probation.

Grading System - Undergraduate Students

UNBC Grade Point	Letter	Percentage	Definition/Standing
4.33	A+	90-100%	Excellent
4.00	A	85-89.9%
3.67	A-	80-84.9%
3.33	B+	77-79.9%	Good
3.00	B	73-76.9%
2.67	B-	70-72.9%
2.33	C+	67-69.9%	Satisfactory
2.00	C	63-66.9%
1.67	C-	60-62.9%	Marginal
1.33	D+	57-59.9%
1.00	D	53-56.9%
0.67	D-	50-52.9%
0.00	F	0-49.9%	Failure

The following are not included in academic average:
P - Passing grade (credit awarded)
AEG - Aegrotat standing (credit awarded)
DEF - Deferred grade (no credit awarded)
W - Withdrawn (no credit awarded)
WE - Withdrawn under extenuating circumstances (no credit awarded)
AUD - Audit of course (no credit awarded)
INP - Course or thesis work in progress
NGR - No grade reported

Calculation of Grade Point Average
The following is an example of how a student's GPA is calculated at the end of a semester:

ENGL 201-3
Grade: B (3.00) x 3 credit hours = 9.00

ENGL 212-3
Grade: B- (2.67) x 3 credit hours = 8.01

PHYS 115-4
Grade: C+ (2.33) x 4 credit hours = 9.32

HIST 302-3
Grade: A+ (4.33) x 3 credit hours = 12.99

PSYC 303-3
Grade: W (--)
__________________________
Total Grade Points: 39.32
Total Credit Hours: 13

Semester GPA: 39.32/13 = 3.02

37. International Exchange
In order to be eligible to participate in an international exchange program, UNBC students must have either a UNBC cumulative GPA higher than 2.67, or a GPA in the previous two semesters of at least 18 credit hours higher than 3.00.​

​​​​​​38. International Exchange Grading
In the case of a formal exchange, the grades from an exchange university are reported using a PASS/FAIL grading system and are not counted towards a student’s UNBC SGPA or CGPA.

39. Honours and Distinction 
Candidates for undergraduate degrees whose CGPA at graduation is 3.00 or better will graduate:
> 4.00 - With Distinction
> 3.67 to < 4.00 - First Class Honours
> 3.50 to < 3.67 - Upper Second Class Honours
> 3.00 to < 3.50 - Second Class Honours

Candidates for the joint (with UBC) Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Engineering will be granted a degree With Distinction if they achieve an overall GPA of at least 3.67 on all 200-level and higher courses while registered in the BASc program.

40. Examinations

1. No final examinations may count for more than 50% (fifty per cent) of the total course marks.
2. With the exception of laboratory, clinical or practicum-based final examinations, tests worth, in aggregate, more than 10% of the final grade must not be administered during the final week of classes. Major papers or projects must not be newly assigned during the last two weeks of classes.
3. Program Chairs may make exceptions to parts a) or b) of this policy in extraordinary cases. Such exception must be made before the first day of scheduled classes and have the approval of the Dean.
4. Students are required to write no more than two final exams in any one 24-hour period. When a course has a final examination, it must be administered during the scheduled examination period.
5. Final exams are no longer than three hours in duration. Exceptions must be approved by the program Chair.

41. Conduct in Examinations
Students must present appropriate identification upon entering the examination room. Appropriate identification is defined as a UNBC student card and/or some other form of photo identification acceptable to the proctor. The following regulations apply to the conduct of examinations:

1. Books, papers, or other materials or devices must not be in the possession of the student during an exam except by the express permission of the examiner and/or proctor. Specifically, without such permission, no laptop computers, mobile phone sets, handheld electronic devices or the like may be in possession of the student in the examination room (see Academic Offenses in Regulations and Policies).
2. No candidate is permitted to enter the examination room more than 30 minutes after the beginning of the examination, or permitted to leave within 30 minutes after the examination has started.
3. Candidates must not communicate in any way with other candidates in the examination room.
4. Candidates must not leave their seats, except when granted permission by the proctor.
5. Candidates must turn in all materials, including rough work, upon leaving the examination room.
6. Food and beverages other than water are not permitted in the examination room.

42. Student Access to Final Examinations
The instructor will, on request by a student, informally review the final examination with the student after the semester grade has been released.

Final examinations will be retained by the instructor for a period of one year after the examination period, after which time they may be shredded or destroyed by other acceptable means.

43. Religious Holidays/Examination Schedule
In some instances, students may find themselves, for religious reasons, unable to write a final examination on a scheduled day. If the final examination cannot be rescheduled to avoid the conflict, the student concerned shall be evaluated by other means, which may include another examination scheduled at a different time. Students must complete the appropriate form and notify the instructor(s) of a conflict at least two weeks prior to the examination period.

44. Final Examinations Missed
Satisfactory explanation, with supporting documentation as appropriate, for any final examination missed must be made by the student or designate to the Office of the Registrar within 48 hours from the time the examination was written.

Within 48 hours of receiving a submission, the Registrar (or designate) may direct the program under which the course is offered to arrange the writing of a special examination in the case of an examination which was missed.

Normally, for explanations of sickness, a doctor’s certification is required.

45. Deferred Examinations and Grades

1. Students may request a deferred examination or deferred status to complete required term work if medical or compassionate reasons prevent attendance at an examination or completion of assignments. Submission of a deferred (DEF) grade by the instructor and program Chair, should be received by the Office of the Registrar without exception before the date of the final examination. After that date, the Academic Regulation on Final Examinations Missed applies. Forms for deferred status are available to faculty from the Office of the Registrar. If a student is granted a deferral, the exam must be written or the assignment(s) completed and graded before the last day of classes in the following semester, unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor and notification has been submitted to the Office of the Registrar. If a student is granted a deferral but does not complete the required work, or does not appear for the examination, a grade of F will be assigned. If a student’s request for deferred status is refused, the instructor will submit a final grade.
2. Students are not permitted to graduate with deferred grades (DEF) remaining on their transcript (See Graduation Constraints in Regulations and Policies).

46. Academic Offenses
Any academic conduct that violates the standards of the Academic and Non-Academic Conduct – Student Policy is a serious offense. The formal processes set out in following three documents: Academic and Non-Academic Conduct – Student Policy, Academic and Non Academic Misconduct Procedures, and Appeals Procedures are to be followed. For more information on student academic conduct at UNBC, visit www.unbc.ca/policy.

47. Academic Standing - Definition
Students are expected to meet the necessary minimum standards for performance while attending UNBC. Those who fail to meet the minimum standard are placed on academic probation. The minimum standard is defined as an academic average on 9 or more credit hours of UNBC coursework that produces a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.00.

48. Conditions of Academic Standing

1. Academic Probation: “Academic Probation” constitutes a warning to a student that the student’s academic performance has been at a level which, if continued, could disqualify the student from graduation, and further, that continued performance below the required standard could lead to a Requirement to Withdraw from the University on academic grounds.
   
   Students may be placed on Academic Probation under the following conditions:

   1. Admission to the University on the basis of an unproven, falsified or unsuccessful previous university record;
   2. A UNBC Cumulative GPA of less than 2.00 after attempting 9 credit hours of coursework.

   Letters of permission are not given to students on Academic Probation.
   
   Students who have been placed on Academic Probation who achieve a Semester GPA (SGPA) of 2.00 or greater in subsequent semesters are allowed to continue their studies at UNBC while on Academic Probation. Students are considered to have returned to good academic standing once their Cumulative GPA is 2.00 or greater. Students are not permitted to graduate while on Academic Probation (see Graduation Constraints in Regulations and Policies). 

2. Requirement to Withdraw: The following circumstances may result in a Requirement to Withdraw from UNBC

   1. Discovery that required documentation for admission was withheld from the University or falsified;
   2. Failure to pay for tuition or University services;
   3. Failure to achieve a Semester GPA of 2.00 or higher after the completion of 30 credit hours while on Academic Probation. Normally, in this case, a Requirement to Withdraw from the University is for three semesters (one full calendar year);
   4. A decision by the President of the University that the suspension of a student, for reasons of unsatisfactory conduct, unsatisfactory academic performance, or otherwise, clearly indicates that withdrawal from UNBC is in the best interest of the University.

   Academic credit earned at another post-secondary institution during the Requirement to Withdraw period is considered for transfer to UNBC, provided that
   
       i. Courses meet the University's policy on transfer credit; and
       ii. Courses do not duplicate successful or unsuccessful course work previously completed at UNBC.
   
   It is recommended that students who are required to withdraw and who plan to return to UNBC at a later date meet with a student advisor to discuss their academic standing and course plan prior to enrolling in courses at another post-secondary institution.
   
   In order to apply for re-admission to the University, students must submit an Application for Admission/Re-admission to the Office of the Registrar. Students must provide, with the application, a letter to the Registrar, stating their rationale for wishing to return to studies at UNBC and documenting any work completed or experience gained which would better qualify them to complete studies at UNBC successfully. Students who are permitted to return to studies at UNBC return on Academic Probation, and are subject to the University’s regulations on academic standing and continuance found in the current calendar. 

3. Second Requirement to Withdraw: Students Required to Withdraw from the University a second time normally are not considered for re-admission for at least two (2) full calendar years following the Requirement to Withdraw. Re-admission is only on presentation of compelling evidence that the student is both able and prepared to succeed in University studies.
4. Academic Renewal: A student that has been away for a minimum of five calendar years with a Cumulative GPA of less than a 2.0 may apply for academic renewal, providing the request is done so within their first semester of re-admission.

49. Appeals Process
All students have the natural and reasonable right to appeal grades given during the term, the final grade of a course, Requirement to Withdraw, decisions the University makes regarding academic misconduct and suspension resulting from non-academic misconduct. The Senate Committee on Student Appeals is the final adjudicator in such matters. For more information on student appeals, please visit www.unbc.ca/policy.

50. University Closure/Weather
​​​​​​​On rare occasions, the President (or designate) may elect to close the University due to inclement weather or other human or natural circumstances. In such circumstances, classes and examinations are formally cancelled and rescheduled. Assignments due on the date of the closure must be submitted on the next day that the University is open.

Updated: July 2, 2024