Orientation

From time to time you will receive emails through the Student Information System with important information related to academic issues that may include the following:

• Reminders: the rules, important dates
• Policy changes in the Faculty
• Missing course activity
• Resources to help if you appear to be missing
• Academic misconduct

We know that things happen in everyone’s life that may be unexpected. Students sometimes find themselves not able to complete coursework on time or need to withdraw from a course after they are able to do so themselves, or are unable to attend the final exam during the scheduled time due to unforeseen circumstances.

A Request for a Late Withdrawal can be used to be removed from a class only after the date has passed when a student can withdraw themselves and must be accompanied with acceptable supporting documentation.

A Request for Standing Deferred can be used if you need more time to complete the coursework for a particular class due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical reason that prevented you from doing so on time. Requests for standing deferred will be considered if the student has completed the required minimum % of the coursework successfully, has attended classes regularly, and has provided acceptable supporting documentation.

An Out-of-Time Exam can be requested if you are unable to attend the scheduled exam due to an unforeseen circumstance such as a medical issue or an exam hardship. This request must be accompanied with acceptable supporting documentation. Please note that a request for an Out-of-time Exam will not be approved for travel reasons – be sure to wait to book any travel plans until after you have received your exam schedule.

Learn more by visiting the Academic Calendar.

For courses in ANTH, ECON, GEOG, GWST, HIST, INDG, PHIL, POLI, PSYO, SOCI visit fass.ok.ubc.ca/student-resources/undergrad/student-forms.

For courses in ARTH, CCS, CHIN, CORH, CRWR, CULT, DIHU, ENGL, FILM, FREN, GERM, JPST, KORN, MDST, SPAN, THTR, VISA, WRLD visit fccs.ok.ubc.ca/student-resources/forms.

There are a number of reasons why you may find yourself struggling in a class, and it is important to be aware of the options available to withdraw from a class and of the services that can support you.

• Students can withdraw themselves from a class through SIS before the Add/Drop date without penalty; for fall 2023, this is September 18, 2023. Learn more about dates and deadlines.
• Students can withdraw themselves from a class with a W standing between September 19, 2023 and November 10, 2023. This means you will have to pay a portion of the tuition for the class and will have a W on your transcript for this class.
• If those dates have passed and you find yourself needing to withdraw for any medical reasons, you can request a Late Withdrawal with approval from your instructor and the Associate Dean.

If you are having difficulty but want to stay in a class, there is help available! In addition to attending your professor or TA’s office hours, you can get help through the Learning Hub. The Learning Hub provides a range of free academic supports from peers and professionals that include tutoring in math, sciences, languages, and writing, as well as help with study skills and learning strategies.

You may already have an idea of what you want to major in. But with over 36 programs and a number of other course areas you can take as electives, we suggest that you take a variety of courses in your first couple of years to find what fits you best.

We also recommend that you talk to an Academic Advisor at least once a semester to ensure that you are taking the correct requirements for your program and degree requirements.

For most programs at UBCO, students can declare their major going into year two, and for some programs going into year three. We recommend that you connect with an Academic Advisor or the Program Coordinator for your major of choice.

• FASS programs
• FCCS Programs