The following is an excerpt from the Minutes of Senate, 15 April 1998. The Senate Academic Policy Committee prepared the report.
In December 1997, a motion that the definition and uses of “full-time” and “part-time” status for undergraduate students at the University be reviewed to ensure that they are uniform, consistent, and appropriate for all applicable purposes, and that they are equitable, to the greatest possible extent, for all students, was referred to the Senate Academic Policy Committee. In response, the committee made five recommendations.
| Dr. Schutz, Dean Isaacson |
That a standard program of study be defined as 30 credits in a Winter Session for all undergraduate students. |
Carried
| Dr. Schutz, Mr. Brady |
That 30 credits should be used as the basis for all calculations of undergraduate full-time equivalent enrolment. |
Carried
| Dr. Schutz, Dr. Gilbert |
That any undergraduate student who is taking at least 24 credits in a Winter Session be classified as a full-time student. |
It was noted in the material circulated that this policy would not apply to the Government Student Loans Programs, nor to the University-based Financial Need Programs. The Awards Office has shown that reducing the number of credits necessary for eligibility for student loans could result in a significant increase in total student debt.
The motion was put and carried.
| Dr. Schutz, Dr. Gilbert |
That Senate instruct the Faculties to review those regulations which define, either explicitly or implicitly, a full or standard course load for an undergraduate student to be more than 30 credits, and to report back to the committee by October 1st with a rationale for these requirements. |
Carried
| Dr. Schutz, Dr. Gilbert |
That Senate instruct the Faculties to review their requirements for designations such as “Dean’s Honour Roll”, and to report back to the committee by October 1st with a rationale where the requirement is other than a minimum average of 80% for 27 credits with no failed courses in a Winter Session. |
In amendment:
| Dr. Bluman, Dr. Berger |
That the 80% be changed to 82% to be consistent with the policy on eligibility for awards. |
Carried
The motion, as amended, was put and carried.