Academic policies, procedures for Summer 2020
Since summer classes are now going to be online, will grading and withdrawal practices be adjusted? (undergraduate students only)
- The grading practices will be normal for Summer 2020 (no P/F choice). For Spring, the decision to offer P grades was made because the mode of instruction was changed part way through the term (in-person to remote instruction) and students were unaware that this change would happen when they enrolled in the course. For the Summer 2020 term, SFU has made it clear that all instruction will occur remotely for the duration of the summer term, including exams.
- The withdrawal period will be extended to give students additional time to assess their comfort with remote learning.
New Dates:
• Summer term: July 5
• Intersession: June 4
• Summer Session: July 23
Are the courses that are listed with a physical location offered this semester and will students be required to attend these courses in person? Can students only choose courses specifically listed as distance courses? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
All courses will be conducted through remote means. Students can register in any course that is available in mySchedule or goSFU for enrolment. Many of these courses will not be listed as distance education courses, but are still available for enrolment.
Do Distance Education fees apply for all classes now? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
No. Only courses that are marked with a C for their section (eg, C100) will have the distance education fees applied.
Will students be expected to check in online at those specific “in person” times, or will instruction be asynchronous? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
Some course components may be offered in “real time”, at the discretion of the instructor and based on the needs of the course. Instructors have been asked to define on the course outline which course components require real-time participation and what equipment you will need to complete the course successfully.
If classes are no longer being held in person, is it possible to take two classes that have scheduled times that previously overlapped? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
- mySchedule and goSFU do not permit students to enroll themselves into courses with conflicting class or exam times. Students must seek department permission to enroll in a course that conflicts with another course
- Students are advised not to register for courses with conflicting class or exam times, because some course components may be offered in “real time”, at the discretion of the instructor and based on the needs of the course. Instructors have been asked to define on the course outline which course components require real-time participation and what equipment you will need to complete the course successfully
Will Recreation and Athletics fees be charged for the Summer term? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
No. Recreation and Athletics facilities are currently closed and no fees will be charged for the Summer term.
Will withdrawing from one or more courses impact my study permit, my ability to work on or off campus, or my eligibility for a post-graduation work permit? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
If your withdrawal will result in your enrollment status dropping to part time, or in the case of a complete withdrawal from all courses, we recommend that you contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist for guidance on the potential impact. You may also review the Enrollment Requirements website for general information on part-time enrollment or gaps in studies.
We are currently awaiting official confirmation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada with regard to the degree of flexibility that may be exercised by offers in the case of withdrawals related to the impacts of COVID-19, and will share more information as it becomes available.
https://www.sfu.ca/students/isap/contact.html
https://www.sfu.ca/students/isap/explore/enrollment/studying-working/active.html
How can I prove to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that I studied full time in Spring 2020? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
SFU is working to determine what documentation may be available to support your future application/s to IRCC, and we will update students once this is confirmed.
As a study permit holder, can I enroll part time or take the term off in Summer 2020? If so, will that impact my study permit, work eligibility, and/or my eligibility for a post-graduation work permit? (undergraduate students only)
From an immigration standpoint, an undergraduate student must maintain full-time enrollment in each Spring and Fall term throughout their program of studies at SFU in order to meet the eligibility requirement to apply for the Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP). As an undergraduate student, your enrollment status in the Summer term should not impact your eligibility to apply for the PGWP upon completion of your studies. For more information about SFU's definition of full-time student status, please review the Enrollment Requirements for International Students website:
https://www.sfu.ca/students/isap/explore/enrollment/enrollment-requirements.html
SFU has moved all courses online for the remainder of the Spring term and the upcoming Summer term. Will taking distance learning courses online adversely impact my eligibility for the post-graduation work permit? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that courses being delivered online due to COVID-19 will not impact PGWP eligibility. For more information, please review IRCC's FAQ page: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html
Since SFU has moved all courses online for the Summer term, will I be able to return home and complete my Summer term courses from outside of Canada? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
Students may pursue distance learning courses from outside of Canada. Note that given the evolving situation with COVID-19 there are currently travel restrictions in place and exemptions to those restrictions. If students leave Canada it is important that they verify the requirements for entry before returning to Canada (including restrictions and exemptions at that time) and ensure they hold the appropriate immigration documents (eg, study permit, temporary resident visa/TRV) to facilitate their re-entry to Canada and study at SFU.
How can I connect with an International Student Advisor? (both graduate and undergraduate students)
Should you have any questions or would like to further discuss potential implications on your immigration status, our International Student Advisors, Immigration Specialist are available remotely to support you via LiveChat, email, or phone.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
- FCAT Double Minor
- School of Communication
- School for the Contemporary Arts
- School of Interactive Arts & Technology
Faculty of Education
- How the pass/fail grades will impact students looking to meet the W and Q requirement for SFU degrees and admission?
- All Faculty of Education undergrad grading will be driven by SFU's decisions/policies.
- Faculty of Education undergraduate programs FAQs
Professional Development Program
- How does the "P" grade affect current PDP students in Spring 2020?
- PDP is already a pass/withdraw program.
- www.sfu.ca/education/teachersed/programs/pdp/overview.html
- Will PDP Admissions accept P grades for prerequisites courses?
- PDP Admissions will accept pass/fail for prerequisite courses. We don't use pass grades in the GPA currently but would use a fail grade in the GPA.
- www.sfu.ca/education/reference-materials/teacher-education/pdp-admissions-materials/acceptablecourses.html
Faculty of Science
- General Science Double Minor, Undeclared Over 60 units, Surrey campus students, Internal Faculty Transfers Advising Options
- Biological Sciences advising options
- Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, Behavioural Neuroscience advising options
- Physics General FAQ
- Math current advising options