Open Studies C.W.A. & Progression Requirements
A minimum Cumulative Weighted Average (C.W.A.) is required to continue as a student in Open Studies. An Open Studies C.W.A. is the weighted average of final grades earned on all courses ever attempted at the University of Saskatchewan, including failures. Certificate level courses, Diploma in Agriculture courses, grades of P/F (Pass/Fail) or CR (Completed Requirements) are excluded from the C.W.A. calculation. Non-numeric grades of ABF (Absent Failure), INF (Incomplete Failure) and WF (Withdraw Failure) awarded prior to May 2005 are converted to a percentile grade of 30% and included in the C.W.A. calculation. In accordance with revisions to the University’s Examination and Grading Regulations, as of May 2005, course professors will assign a computed percentile final grade, accompanied by an INF, or WF grade comment. This computed grade is based on completed course and final examination requirements and will be included in the Open Studies Cumulative Weighted Average calculation.
While in Open Studies, students who have already obtained credit for a course will not be allowed to retake the course for credit change or grade change. Repetition of failed courses will be allowed until a passing grade for that course is earned. In the case of any University of Saskatchewan course that has been repeated, only the most recent grade will be included in the C.W.A. calculation and the credit units counted only once.
Open Studies students should be aware that other colleges may follow different rules for calculating averages and should take this into account if planning to transfer to another college.
For details on calculating the C.W.A., see the
weighted averages heading in the Examinations and Grading section of the
Calendar.
The C.W.A. is calculated in June, once the grades from the Regular Session are known. For students currently registered in Open Studies who have attempted 18 credit units or more at the University of Saskatchewan
at any time, the C.W.A. indicates whether:
- The student meets the progression standard and may proceed to another year of full-time registration eligibility in Open Studies;
- The student will be placed either on Probation 1 or 2 and may proceed to another year of eligibility to register in Open Studies (credit unit limits for students on Probation are outlined on previous page);
- The student will be Required to Discontinue from Open Studies.
Students who have not yet attempted 18 credit units or more at the University of Saskatchewan retain their eligibility to register in Open Studies for another year.
Whether a student progresses, is placed on
Probation or is
Required to Discontinue depends upon the number of credit units that have ever been attempted at the University of Saskatchewan, the value of the C.W.A., and whether or not they are on
Probation at the time when the C.W.A. is calculated. The various outcomes are reported as follows:
Fewer than 18 credit units attempted:
- Progression Standard is met with any C.W.A.
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18-30 credit units attempted: - Progression Standard is met with a C.W.A. of 56.00%.
- Probation 1 is assigned with a C.W.A. between 50.00% and 55.99%.
- Probation 2 or Required to Discontinue is assigned with a C.W.A. of less than 50.00%.
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31-60 credit units attempted: - Progression Standard is met with a C.W.A. of 58.00%.
- Probation 1 is assigned with a C.W.A. between 54.00% and 57.99%.
- Probation 2 or Required to Discontinue is assigned with a C.W.A. of less than 54.00%.
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61 or more credit units attempted: - Progression Standard is met with a C.W.A. of 60.00%.
- Probation 1 is assigned with a C.W.A. between 58.00% and 59.99%.
- Probation 2 or Required to Discontinue is assigned with a C.W.A. of less than 58.00%.
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The University Grading System
Open Studies students should refer to the
Examinations & Grading section of the
Calendar and to the
Open Studies website for detailed information on grading and pay particular attention to the details under Grading Alternatives (non-numerical grades).
Probation and Required to Discontinue Faculty Actions
Students on
Probation must meet the Progression Standard or achieve a sessional C.W.A. of at least 60%. Students on
Probation 1 who do not meet the Progression Standard are placed on Probation 2. Students on Probation 2 who do not meet the Progression Standard are
Required to Discontinue. Students being placed on
Probation or
Required to Discontinue from Open Studies will be notified by letter. This notification will be sent in June. Students should ensure that they inform the University of any address changes so that they will hear about their faculty action in time to appeal if necessary.
Students on Open Studies
Probation are not allowed to take more than 12 credit units per Term in the Regular Session. No Probationary credit unit limit is applied at Spring and Summer Session. However, students who are on Regular Session
Probation are strongly advised not to register for more than 12 credit units at Spring and Summer Session, and should not exceed 6 credit units per Term.
Appeals
Students who are
Required to Discontinue from Open Studies or who have been placed on
Probation may appeal the decision in writing to the Open Studies Faculty Council Subcommittee for Student Appeals Against Faculty Actions. Appeals will only be granted if extenuating circumstances can be shown to account for the poor academic performance. In addition to the student’s own letter explaining extenuating circumstances and providing his/her current mailing address, telephone number and email, the student must also submit corroborating documentation, such as a detailed letter from a physician, psychologist, lawyer or other professional. The appeal package, addressed to the Manager, Open Studies Advising, must be submitted in writing by June 30th. If June 30th falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, it reverts to the immediately preceding Friday. Any attempt to launch an appeal after this deadline must be accompanied by written supported rationale for missing the deadline (e.g, physican’s letter verifying student’s hospitalization or incapacitation).
Readmission After Three Years
Students who have been
Required to Discontinue from Open Studies will not be considered for readmission to Open Studies for at least three years.
Following the requisite three year discontinuance, applicants seeking readmission to Open Studies must submit the following to
Admissions, Student and Enrolment Services:
- U of S Application for Admission/Re-Admission/Transfer Form
- any application fee specified on the application form
- written explanation of past performance and potential to succeed if re-admitted
- letter of intent, including student’s mailing address, telephone and e-mail
- documentation verifying any extenuating circumstances (e.g. letter from physician, psychologist or other third party professional)
- resume.
Students wishing to appeal an admission decision under these circumstances must do so as soon as possible after the decision has been rendered. Requests for appeal must be in writing, including any relevant supporting documentation. In accordance with the General Principles Governing Admission Decisions and the Appeal Process approved by University Council February 14, 2002, and amended March 21, 2002, “grounds for appeal of an admission decision shall be limited to (1) unit procedural errors, or (2) evidence that the information used in the decision was wrong or incomplete. A failure by the candidate to provide accurate and complete information in accordance with the admission policy shall not be grounds for an appeal. The decision of the individual, committee or board that adjudicates the appeal shall be final.”