Winter 2020 alternative grade options - Undergraduate program
Information regarding the Grade Options for Winter 2020 courses for Asper Undergraduate Students (approved by Senate Executive on April 1, 2020).
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*Last updated Updated May 5, 2020.
Please read these very carefully, as you will have to make a decision on each of your Winter 2020 courses by May 10, 2020.
The below FAQ is based on university policies available at this point in time. This could be an evolving FAQ as the university considers all scenarios and determines its policies for each one. As the COVID-19 situation is changing, university policies surrounding Winter 2020 grades are periodically being updated in response to the changes. Therefore, we will share future updates of this document should they arise.
For each Winter 2020 course, the following grade options are being offered:
*Note: These options will apply to all Winter 2020 term or spanned courses (Fall 2019/Winter 2020) that are completed in April 2020.
Accept the letter grade you received. This is the default and standard grading approach. The grade will be used in GPA calculations. If you do not choose one of the alternative options below, this is the approach that will be applied to your course grade.
Accept the letter grade you received but exclude it from the GPA calculations. Letter grade will appear on the student’s transcript with a notation indicating that the student chose to exclude it from their UM GPA calculations due to the COVID-19 situation. Grades excluded in the calculation of the GPA will not be used in calculating GPA for the purpose of program progression and/or overall graduation GPA requirements. However, letter grades will continue to be used toward UM pre-requisite requirements for entry into other courses, for admission to other programs, and to satisfy any other program requirements.
Choose to have your grade as ‘Pass’ instead of letter grade. A ‘Pass’ grade can be chosen only if the grade achieved is D or higher. If this option is chosen, no letter grade will be retained. A notation will be used to indicate that the student chose this approach. ‘Pass’ grades will not be included in GPA calculations.
Choose to keep the F grade (if you fail a course). Grade appears as F* in transcript, but it is automatically excluded from GPA calculation with a notation in the transcript that it is excluded due to the COVID-19 situation. The F grade will not be used for Academic Progression Assessment (warning, probation, suspension). However, the F grade will be used in determining eligibility for major, co-op, exchange, graduation, etc. and for admission Faculties and grad programs.
Choose to VW from course. Grade appears as VW in transcript. If you choose to VW, you must do this yourself by the May 10th deadline and you may re-register in the course in a following term without the Limited Access restriction.
Regardless of which of the options a student chooses, students will need to meet all existing admission, prerequisite, progression, degree, and graduation policies and requirements that may apply to them. It is vital that students understand the implications of their choices both for meeting prerequisite, progression, degree, and graduation requirements within their existing program of study and current Faculty, and for requirements for admission to, progression within, and graduation from, any other programs in the same or a different Faculty which they may wish to pursue in the future. (For example, a program may require a grade of B or higher as a prerequisite for enrolment in a subsequent course and would not accept a grade of ‘Pass.’)
*Note: To help you with deciding which of the grade options is best for your courses, we have provided below an FAQ. The information is intended to focus on potential impacts of student’s choices on issues such as prerequisites, requirements for majors, progression in their current program, graduation eligibility and so on. However, please be aware that we cannot give you advice that covers every possible future scenario when you need a particular grade or GPA. There are many future potential consequences from your decision that a student advisor has no way of foreseeing. For instance, you might switch majors or apply to graduate school at a later point in time. Therefore, which of the options you choose is ultimately your decision and you are responsible for your choice.
FAQ regarding the grading options detailed above
What is the deadline to declare my grade option choice(s) for my courses?
You will have until May 10, 2020 to choose any of the options for each of your courses. If you do not make a choice, the default approach (accept the letter grade you received) is the one that will be applied.
How do I declare my grade option choice?
Once final grades are available on Aurora you will have until Sunday, May 10th at midnight to make this choice. You can make selection through UMLearn. A selection cannot be changed after it has been submitted in UMLearn. You have ten calendar days following the release of a final grade to make selection through an Academic Advisor after May 10th.
What happens if I fail (F grade) a course?
If you receive a failing grade in Winter term 2020, it will automatically be excluded from UM GPA calculation. Failing grades will appear on your transcript but will be identified as having been excluded from UM GPA calculations due to the COVID-19 situation.
NOTE: Failing grades will be considered for admission purposes.
Are the grade options available for Distance Education (online) courses taken in the Winter 2020 term?
Yes, they are.
What does “Accept the Letter Grade but exclude it from the GPA calculation” mean for prerequisite, major, or degree requirement?
Grades excluded in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA) will not be used in calculating GPA; however, course grades will continue to be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements for registering in other courses and to satisfy program requirements.
Where the prerequisite or Major, or degree requirement requires a minimum grade in a course, the grade in that course must meet that requirement, even if excluded for GPA calculation.
Prerequisite requirement: The letter grade in prerequisite courses will be considered for registration, regardless of whether you choose to ‘keep the letter grade you received‘ or ‘whether you choose to keep the letter grade, but exclude it from GPA calculations’. If you choose ‘keep the letter grade, but exclude it from GPA calculations’, registration in a course will not be permitted if your excluded grade does not meet the published prerequisite requirement for a course.
Example: Suppose you choose to ‘exclude’ a grade of D in ACC 1110. The D grade is acceptable as a prerequisite for taking GMGT 4010. But it would not be sufficient to take ACC 3040 because it requires that you get at least a C+ in ACC 1110.
Major requirement: If a Major has a grade requirement stipulated for the course, the ‘excluded’ grade will suffice only if it meets the minimum grade stipulated for that course.
Example 1: Suppose you choose to ‘exclude’ a grade of C in ACC 1100. You would not be able to get an Accounting major, because it requires at least a C+ in ACC 1100.
Example 2: Suppose you choose to ‘exclude’ a grade of D in ACC 1110. While the D grade is acceptable in ACC 1110 for prerequisite to some Asper courses, like GMGT 4010, it is not possible to declare a Major in Accounting because a minimum grade of C+ in ACC 1110 is required. In this example, you would be required to repeat ACC 1110 and achieve a minimum grade of C+.
Degree requirement: If the course is required for the degree, the ‘excluded’ grade will suffice only if it meets the minimum grade required stipulated for that course.
Example: Suppose you choose to ‘exclude’ a grade of D in ECON 1010. You would not be able to complete your BComm degree with the D as it requires at least a C in ECON 1010.
What does “choosing a ‘Pass’ instead of letter grade” mean for prerequisite, major, or degree requirement?
If the original grade is D or higher and you choose this option, the ‘Pass’ designation will replace the letter grade and will not impact your GPA.
NOTE: A ‘Pass’ is treated as a D for prerequisite, major, or degree requirement, no matter what the original grade is.
Prerequisite requirement: Where the prerequisite or Major or degree requirement requires a grade of C or higher, the ‘Pass’ grade will not be sufficient.
Example: Suppose you choose a ‘Pass’ instead of a D or a C in ACC 1110. The ‘Pass’ in ACC 1110 is acceptable as a prerequisite for taking GMGT 4010. But it would not be sufficient to take ACC 3040 because it requires that you get at least a C+ in ACC 1110.
Major requirement: If a requirement of a Major has a grade requirement stipulated, a ‘Pass’ will not fulfill this requirement.
Example: Suppose you choose a ‘Pass’ instead of a C+ in ACC 1100. You would not be able to get an Accounting major, because it requires at least a C+ in ACC 1100, but the ‘Pass’ would be treated as a D.
Degree requirement: For any course that requires a C or higher, the ‘Pass’ will not fulfill this requirement.
Example: Suppose you choose a ‘Pass’ instead of a C in ECON 1010. You would not be able to complete your BComm degree because it requires at least a C in ECON 1010, but the ‘Pass’ would be treated as a D.
What is the effect of the grade options in a course on my progression requirements?
Note: Progression can mean a student moving from term to term or year to year, or if they have exceeded the number of permitted failed attempts allowed, or if a student has not met the minimum degree grade point average (DGPA) requirements for continuing in Asper.
Number of Failed Attempts Permitted: Each student in the Asper School of Business is permitted a maximum of 15 credit hour of failures before a student is assessed for suspension or probation.
i) An ‘F’ grade in a Winter 2020 course will be automatically excluded from all UM GPA calculations and will not be counted toward the number of failed attempts.
ii) A “Pass” grade can be chosen only if the grade achieved is a “D” or higher. Therefore, a “Pass” grade will not be counted toward the number of failed attempts. Choosing ‘Pass’ will mean the grade will not be included in the UM GPA calculations.
Minimum DGPA for Continuing: Each student in the Asper School of Business must have a degree grade point average (DGPA) of 2.00 or higher after every term or they are required to withdraw from the Faculty.
If you choose to ‘Accept the letter grade you received’, it will be used in DGPA calculations.
If you choose one of the grade options (including the ‘Pass’ option) wherein the grade is excluded from GPA calculation, the grade will not be counted toward the DGPA assessment. However, your DGPA must still be above 2.00 to remain in the Faculty.
What are the implications of the grade options on my co-op continuance or graduation requirements?
Students in the Asper Co-op Option must achieve a minimum grade of C in each co-op work term as a prerequisite for subsequent work terms and for graduation.
Prerequisite in Registration:
Accept letter grade, but exclude it from GPA calculation: A C grade or higher that is excluded from GPA calculation is sufficient for prerequisite to register in any subsequent work term.
Accept ‘Pass’ grade instead of letter grade: A ‘Pass’ grade is not sufficient for prerequisite to register in any subsequent work term.
Degree Requirement:
All co-op work term courses require a minimum grade of C.
Accept letter grade, but exclude it from GPA calculation: A C grade or higher that is excluded from GPA calculation is a sufficient grade to graduate with the co-op option designation.
Accept ‘Pass’ grade instead of letter grade: A ‘Pass’ grade is not a sufficient grade to graduate with the co-op option designation.
Grade Requirements from External Organizations (e.g. CPA, CFA, SOA, HRMAM/CPHR) or other educational institutions
The Asper School neither has information nor any control on how organizations, external to the University of Manitoba, will treat each of the grade options. Therefore, it is your responsibility to contact the relevant organization and get as much information as possible so that you can make an informed choice.
CPA
SOA
HRMAM OR CPHR
CFA
If you plan to apply to a graduate program or transfer to another educational institution, please contact them directly.
How will each grading options affect my eligibility for internal Scholarships, University Medals, and Program Medals?
Accept the letter grade received (default): Your course grade will be taken into account as usual for an award GPA calculation.
Accept letter grade, but exclude it from GPA calculation: The course grade will be excluded from an award GPA calculation. Credit hours will still be counted toward minimum credit hour threshold to determine award eligibility.
Accept ‘Pass’ grade instead of letter grade: The ‘Pass’ notation will not be included in an award GPA calculation. Credit hours will still be counted toward minimum credit hour threshold to determine award eligibility.
If I choose to ‘exclude’ a grade from my GPA calculation or choose ‘Pass’ for any of my courses, can I still qualify for the Dean’s Honour List or graduate ‘With Distinction’?
Dean’s Honour List: To be eligible for the Dean's Honours List, a student must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of courses at the University of Manitoba during one academic term and achieve a term GPA of at least 3.50. Grades that have been excluded from the GPA caculations will be used toward the minimum term credit hour count and your term GPA will be calculated on any normally graded courses. If you exclude all grades from the Winter 2020 term, you will not be eligible for the Dean's Honour List in this term.
Graduate ‘with Distinction’: The degree ‘With Distinction’ will be awarded to all students graduating with the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree who attain a degree GPA of 3.80 or better on the following criteria: students admitted to the Asper School of Business in 2011 and thereafter will have their degree GPA determined on the basis of all courses which form a part of the 120 credit hours required in the four-year degree program. Choosing to exclude grades from the Winter 2020 term will not exclude you from this assessment.
Can I choose one of the grading options if I took a course on an Exchange Program in the Winter 2020 term?
The University of Manitoba will not change a grade achieved at, and provided by, another institution. However, you can choose any of the below three options for a course taken on exchange:
• Accept the letter grade you received
• Accept the letter grade you received, but exclude it from GPA calculations
• Keep the F grade (if you fail a course)
But, you cannot choose the below two options for a course taken on exchange, unless these options are offered by the institution where you took the course (check with the Asper International Exchange Coordinator):
• Grade as ‘Pass’ instead of letter grade
• VW from course
For students who do not receive their Exchange course grade by May 10th, they will have up to 10 days after they receive their final grade to request one of the valid options. Email your faculty office by the deadline to request a valid grade option alternative.
Can I choose one of the grading options if I took a course on a Letter of Permission (LoP) in the Winter 2020 term?
The University of Manitoba will not change a grade achieved at, and provided by, another institution. However, you can choose any of the below three options for a course taken on a Letter of Permission:
• Accept the letter grade you received
• Accept the letter grade you received, but exclude it from GPA calculations
• Keep the F grade (if you fail a course)
But, you cannot choose the below two options for a course taken on a Letter of Permission, unless these options are offered by the institution where you took the course (check with the institution where you took the course):
• Grade as ‘Pass’ instead of letter grade
• VW from course
For students who do not receive their LoP course grade by May 10th, they will have up to 10 days after they receive their final grade to request one of the valid options. Email your faculty office by the deadline to request a valid grade option alternative.
I am a prospective student applying to Asper for the September 2020 intake. How will the grading options affect my admission assessment?
Students’ academic transcript after May 10, 2020 will be used for the purposes of assessing any application for admission to a program at the University starting September 2020. Failing grades will be considered for admission purposes.
All grades that are ‘excluded from GPA calculation’, including F grades that have been excluded in the Winter 2020 term, will be included in all admission assessments.
‘Pass’ grades (instead of letter grade) from the Winter 2020 term will not be included any admission assessment.
24 graded credit hours (no ‘Pass’ grades) with no grade lower than C in each of the required courses (as outlined in the Applicant Bulletin) is required for Track 1 admission.
24 graded credit hours (no ‘Pass’ grades) with no grade lower than C in each course is required for Track 2 admission.
All grades that are ‘excluded from GPA calculation’, including F grades that have been excluded, will be used for assessing any Track 1 or Track 2 requirement.
The Admissions GPA (AGPA) will be calculated on the most recent 60 graded credit hours. ‘Pass’ grades will not be included, but all letter grades that were excluded from GPA calculation will be included in the AGPA calculations.
If you choose a ‘Pass’ in a Winter 2020 course that you are repeating, the course will be ignored for admission assessment, but the original grade in the course will be used to determine eligibility (minimum C grade) and AGPA. However, the original grade will be included in the AGPA calculations only if the original grade falls with the most recent 60 graded credit hours.
All other relevant admission information is in the Asper Applicant Bulletin.
I am a student in another post-secondary institution applying for admission to the Asper School for the September 2020 intake. How will the grading options affect my admission assessment?
‘Pass’ grades will not be considered for admission.
All other relevant admission information is in the Asper Applicant Bulletin.
I am a high school student applying for admission to Asper for the September 2020 intake. How will the grading options affect my admission assessment?
Relevant admission information is in the Asper Applicant Bulletin.
I am a student who has been granted a deferred exam from the April exam series.Can I opt for a grade option alternative when I get my grade from the deferred exam?
The grading options are available on Winter 2020 and Fall2019/Winter 2020 spanned courses, so students who defer an April exam will be eligible to accept the grade they received, or exclude their grade from GPA calculations or take a “Pass” instead of a letter grade, for up to 10 days after they receive their final grade. Email your faculty office by the deadline to request a valid grade option alternative. The grading options are not available to students who are writing a deferred exam from a previous term.