General Information

A continuance review determines whether or not a student is permitted to continue on in their graduate program, and the conditions associated with the continuance. The review is not primarily intended to be negative but rather to discuss the issues that have arisen and the potential for resolution however, students need to be aware that a recommendation to be withdrawn from their graduate program (and therefore the university) is an option.

Conditions for academic performance are outlined in the Graduate Calendar in section 4.3.

Reasons for a Continuance Review

Semester/Cumulative GPA below 3.00

Students are required to maintain a semester GPA of at least 3.00 for every semester of registration and a cumulative GPA of 3.00 for the duration of their program. One or more B- grades that result in a semester or cumulative GPA below 3.00 triggers a continuance review. An F grade also triggers a continuance review. Individual programs may set a higher requirement and failure to meet this established minimum will result in a continuance review.

Progress Requirement

A student who fails to meet academic standards, or whose thesis, project, practicum, or comprehensive examination is not progressing satisfactorily can be required to undergo a continuance review. This is initiated by a second “needs improvement” or an “unsatisfactory” recommendation on a progress report approved by the Dean.

Procedure

Upon identification of a need for a continuance review, the Office of Graduate Administration will notify the student and the program. The supervisor (or Program Coordinator or Program Chair where no supervisor is assigned) will initiate a meeting with the student.

Parties Involved

Depending on the student’s program and their progression, a continuance review will be conducted by a supervisor (where assigned), Graduate Program Coordinator (where assigned) or Program Chair (where there is no assigned supervisor). If a student is in a program that includes the formation of a supervisory committee and this committee has been formed, the members should be included in the continuance review and will be required to sign this form. For these students, the Program Chair’s review of this form and signature is also required. Programs have discretion on how this meeting is structured but all parties involved with the student’s academic progress should sign the continuance review form. There may be instances where a student is not available for the meeting and in such situations, guidance on managing this review can be sought from the Dean.

Notification of Decision

The Dean will review the recommendation provided and holds final decision. Following the Dean's review, the student will receive a letter outlining the decision made and, if the student is permitted to continue, any and all continuance review conditions in the letter must be met. Conditions for continuation must be strictly adhered to and are reviewed regularly.  This may mean that a student has a registration hold on their account and must contact the Office of Graduate Administration for permission to register. Failure to adhere to conditions of continuation can result in the immediate withdrawal of the student.  If the Dean is requiring the student to withdraw, the withdraw will be effective immediately upon the Dean's decision.