S.97-4
• ?
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC
MEMORANDUM
To:
?
Senate
From: ?
D. Gagan, Chair
42iw-/
/éy1
Senate Committee on Academic Planning
Subject ?
Transfer credit for D grades
Date: ?
November 27, 1996
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies and the Senate
Committee on Academic Planning gives rise to the following motion:
Motion:
"that Senate approve as set forth in S.97 - 4 , the changes to the
policy on transfer credit for D grades."
0
SCUS 96 - 50
.
Memo from Nick Heath
Director of Admissions
Simon Fraser University
To: Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
Date:
7 October, 1996
I
Subject: Transfer credit for D grades
Existing policy permits the transfer of all passed courses (usual minimum is D grade)
from recognized colleges and universities except in two circumstances, when a
minimum grade of C is required:
a)
if the new student is admitted on Academic Probation with an admission average
below 2.0
b)
if the individual is already a student of SFU and is seeking either re-admission or a
letter of permission to take a course outside SFU toward her/his credential.
Very few students are admitted on Academic Probation. There are a few special cases
who have failed years at other universities and have more recently done good quality
work and there a few cases admitted on appeal by CRUA. Occasionally, a small group
of students with low averages might be admitted, for instance, to a sponsored
program such as those operated on behalf of B.0 Hydro and C.P. Rail employees.
SGranting no credit to these new students below a C grade can sometimes make large
differences in the total transfer credit awarded. It is not fully clear why these students
should not receive all earned credit. In most cases, it does not affect prerequisites
either because the D grade is recorded on the student record system or because many
of our department accept D grades to fulfil prerequisites.
If the motion is approved, the University's position on transfer credit becomes
simpler and more logical. This could be important in dealing with related issues with
the B.C. Council on Admissions and Transfer and other similar bodies.
Suggested motion:
That transfer credit be awarded to new students for all passed courses, regardless
of
the
student's admission average or admission standing.
It is not proposed to change the other exception at this time. Once an individual
becomes a SFU student, s/he is subject to rigourous Academic Continuance
requirements and any encouragement to take 'difficult' courses outside SFLJ should
be discouraged, to prevent unfairness in the Continuance process and erosion of
academic standards.
nh Oct. 96
