The deadline to submit a disruption grade change request form for Winter was June 6, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions (click a question to access content)

1. What grade options are available?
2. Is it mandatory for students to use an alternative grade option?
3. How do I submit grade options to the Office of the Registrar?
4. Is there a deadline to submit the form?
5. Are there limits on the number of courses for which I can apply grade options to?
6. If I choose one of the grade options, how will my GPA be affected?
7. Can I apply these grade options to any course?
8. What information will show on my transcript if I select a grade option?
9. Are the grade options permanent or can I change back to the alpha-numerical grade in the future?
10. Can grade options during disruption be extended retroactively to Fall, Spring or Summer 2021 grades?
11. How do the grade options affect me if I am on Academic Probation?
12. Can I exercise a grade option if I am being investigated for an academic misconduct charge?
13. How will use of the grade options affect my co-op program status?
14. How will the use of grade options affect accredited professional program requirements, such as Nursing, Accounting, Human Resources, etc.?
15. How does application of the grade options affect my eligibility for scholarships and awards?
16. How will the Credit/No Credit or Withdrawal during Disruption option affect my eligibility for OSAP?
17. I am an international student. Will the withdrawal option have any immigration implications?
18. How will choosing these grades impact my application for post-graduate opportunities?

1. What grade options are available?

Students have grading options for courses finishing at the end of the Winter term, as outlined below.

Winter Courses: The deadline to submit a disruption grade change request change form for Winter courses is June 6, 2022. If you have submitted an Intent to Graduate for Spring, please try to submit your WI 2022 Disruption Grade Change Request form early.

1. Maintaining the alpha/numeric grade assigned for the course (i.e., keeping the grade as is, which is the default option). The grade option procedure is optional. Students do not need to take any action if they wish to keep the grades received for full year and/or winter term courses;
2. Replacing the alpha/numeric grade with a designation of ‘Credit during Disruption’ (CD) or ‘No Credit during Disruption (ND).’ In this case, the final mark will not appear on the transcript and will not be included in calculations of the student’s academic average;
3. Replacing the alpha/numeric grade with a ‘Withdrawal during Disruption’ (WDD) code. In this case, students can withdraw from the course without academic penalty.

2. Is it mandatory for students to use an alternative grade option?

No. Students do not have to submit a form if they do not plan to use the Credit, No Credit, or Withdrawal Due to Disruption options.

3. How do I submit grade options to the Office of the Registrar?

A Disruption Grade Change Request Form must be completed and sent to Records@brocku.ca.

4. Is there a deadline to submit the form?

Winter Courses: The deadline to submit a disruption grade change request form for Winter courses is June 6, 2022.

5. Are there limits on the number of courses for which I can apply grade options to?

The use of grade options during disruption is limited to 5.0 credits for Honours, four-year with Major, and Pass degrees. The use of grade options during disruption is limited to 1.0 credit for certificate programs. These limits apply to the current Brock degree and include any previous courses where a credit grade options has been used, including CD options exercised for courses in the Fall 2021 session.

6. If I choose one of the grade options, how will my GPA be affected?

A ‘Credit during Disruption’ (CD) grade will count as a credit towards program requirements but will not be included in the GPA calculations. A ‘No Credit during Disruption’ (ND) grade will not count as a credit towards program requirements, nor will it be included in the GPA calculations.

7. Can I apply these grade options to any course?

Within the limits noted above, a ‘Credit during Disruption’ (CD) grade option can be applied for a course for which a passing grade has been received, as long as the number does not exceed 5.0 CD credits for Honours, four-year with Major or Pass degrees and 1.0 credits for certificate programs. Courses with an ‘Incomplete’ (IN) cannot be replaced with a grade option. A ‘No Credit during Disruption’ (ND) grade option can be applied for a course for which a failing grade has been received. A ‘Withdrawal during Disruption’ (WDD) can be applied to any course.

8. What information will show on my transcript if I select a grade option?

Credits receiving a ‘Credit during Disruption’ (CD) or ‘No Credit during Disruption’ (ND) grade value will appear on both the official and unofficial Brock transcript. A notation of ‘Withdrawal during Disruption’ (WDD) will also appear on the transcript but will not have a date associated with it like other withdrawals on the student record.

9. Are the grade options permanent or can I change back to the alpha-numerical grade in the future?

Any changes made to the student record as a result of submission of a grade options form are permanent. A ‘Credit during Disruption’ (CD), ‘No Credit during Disruption’ (ND) and ‘Withdrawal during Disruption (WDD) are final, cannot be reversed or appealed, and do not allow for a tuition rebate.

10. Can grade options during disruption be extended retroactively to Fall, Spring or Summer 2021 grades?

The grade options provisions do not include the Fall/Spring/Summer 2021 sessions.

11. How do the grade options affect me if I am on Academic Probation?

Adjudication will occur at the end of the academic year. Students on probation will continue on probation until the overall average exceeds 60 per cent.

12. Can I exercise a grade option if I am being investigated for an academic misconduct charge?

The following conditions apply to students with cases involving academic misconduct:

1. 1. Students who have an outstanding investigation of academic misconduct are not eligible for a grade replacement until a decision is issued. Once the decision is issued, if there is no finding of academic misconduct, the student has up to five (5) calendar days from the date of the decision to request grade replacement. If there is a finding of academic misconduct, the Associate Dean must approve the alternate grade request.
   2. Students who are found to have engaged in academic misconduct after a grade replacement is already processed on the academic record for the same course will have the grade replacement reversed until a decision is made.

13. How will use of the grade options affect my co-op program status?

Co-op program eligibility is assessed using letter grades reflected in the student’s GPA. The notation of a ‘Credit during Disruption’ (CD) is neutral and courses graded in this way should not affect an assessment for co-op eligibility. Recognizing the challenges students have been facing during the pandemic our employer partners have been very supportive of our students and have been working closely with us to ensure their success while completing a co-op work term. We understand there will be many reasons why a student may choose the “Credit during Disruption” or “CD” option on their transcript, and while this has a neutral effect on the student’s academic standing, it can impact a student’s job search for co-op employment. When an employer is unable to see an academic grade this can raise questions about how the student performed in the course (i.e. “did they achieve a 50% grade?”) and whether or not this would impact their success on the job (which varies by industry and employer). We know that in some cases students will opt for the CD on their transcript because the grade they received fell short of their own expectations (i.e. they achieved a 70% instead of 85%) and does not necessarily reflect a grade that would impact their employment prospects. The “CD” notation on the academic transcript does not distinguish between these two scenarios so we encourage co-op students to consider their choice carefully and to speak with the co-op team about their individual circumstance. We understand that every student’s circumstance is different and there are also considerations beyond co-op including grad school applications, professional designation requirements, scholarships, etc. Contact Co-op, Career and Experiential Education with any Covid related questions regarding co-op programs at co-op@brocku.ca.

14. How will the use of grade options affect accredited professional program requirements, such as Nursing, Accounting, Human Resources, etc.?

It is recommended that students consult with their Faculty’s Academic Advisors to research and consider all aspects of the grade options provisions and potential impacts to accredited professional associations and their future academic and professional career aspirations and goals.

15. How does application of the grade options affect my eligibility for scholarships and awards?

Award renewals are assessed after completion of each 5.0 full credit milestone. A minimum 80 per cent average in each milestone is required to renew the award. Milestones will be assessed when students reach 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 cumulative credits. Students who elect to take the Credit during Disruption (CD) option will be assessed based on the numeric grades obtained in the milestone in the following order: Fall courses, Full year courses then Winter courses or on the last grades available to the University if no numeric grades exist in the milestone.

16. How will the Credit/No Credit or Withdrawal during Disruption option affect my eligibility for OSAP?

Students who fail to successfully complete a minimum 60 per cent course load (3.0 credits in the Fall/Winter terms) or 40 per cent (2.0 credits in the Fall/Winter terms) for students with a permanent disability, will be placed on a financial aid academic progress warning or restriction with OSAP. This is a Ministry policy and subject to change at Ministry discretion. Students considering the WDD or ND option should be mindful of this when making decisions. Students must maintain 1.5 credits in each of the fall and winter terms to be considered eligible for full time OSAP or 1.0 credits in each of the fall and winter terms if you have a permanent disability. If you drop below full time OSAP eligibility, it may affect current and future term OSAP funding. Students considering the WDD option should be mindful of this when making decisions. If you are in receipt of OSAP, contact Brock Central at central@brocku.ca or at 905-688-5550 x 3052 to investigate OSAP implications before making a final decision on grade options.

17. I am an international student. Will the withdrawal option have any immigration implications?

If you are an international student, please be aware that if you select a withdrawal option, it may change your registration status to part-time. Part-time enrollment will impact your ability for a future PGWP. Should you have any questions, please reach out to Brock International Services at isa@brocku.ca. Additionally, more information can be found on international course registrations and withdrawals.

18. How will choosing these grades impact my application for post-graduate opportunities?

It is recommended that students reach out directly to the post-graduate programs they have applied to, or plan to apply to, to investigate what, if any, impact choosing a ‘Credit during Disruption’ (CD), ‘No Credit during Disruption’ (ND) or ‘Withdrawal during Disruption’ (WDD) grade may have on an application.