Back to the Books: Information for Students

1
Back to the BooksInformation for Students

• Brian Poser, Associate Director,
• Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students
  

2
Acknowledgements

• This presentation represents the work of
  innumerable staff at York. Their ongoing
  commitment to students and to student success
  helped make this presentation possible.

3
Session Outline

• Adjustments to the academic year as per Executive
  Committee of Senate
• Tips and reminders for students on resuming
  studies successfully

4
Section 1 Adjustments to the academic year
5
Adjustments to the academic year

• Remediation will be based on the following key
  principles
• Academic Integrity
• Fairness to Students
• Timely Information
• For more info, see http//www.yorku.ca/univsec/pol
  icies/document.php?document70

6
Revised sessional dates

• http//www.registrar.yorku.ca/disruption/

7
Synchronization of Sessional Dates

• Classes in some programs resumed on January 26.
  The schedules for these programs will need to be
  fully synchronized with the overall revised
  schedule after their Fall term classes have
  ended.
• This will necessitate a pause in some academic
  activities so as to permit the coordination of
  sessional dates.
• The schedule for graduate courses will be the
  same as the overall schedule for undergraduate
  courses.

8
No overlap of classes and exams

• All Fall term classes must end before the formal
  Fall term examination period begins.
• Any additional instructional activity outside of
  normal course meeting times must be completed
  prior to the examination period. This also
  applies to the Winter term.
• There will be some overlap built into Summer term
  schedules which will affect the last week of the
  summer term.

9
What about other revised dates?

• Details of all revised sessional dates will be
  posted on the Registrars web site at
• www.registrar.yorku.ca/importantdates/index.htm

10
Who will decide how courses get remediated?

• Course directors will be in the best position to
  do so following the principles of flexibility,
  discretion, and academic integrity.
• Lets talk about what each means
• However, students should, where possible, provide
  feedback to course directors on how their courses
  are to be adjusted.

11
What changes to courses are allowed?

• Instructors may make changes to the number, kind
  and weight of assignments when classes resume.
• This adjustment may include changes that would
  impact on work already submitted and graded.
• However, whenever possible students will have the
  choice of completing the assignments as set out
  in the originally published grading scheme.

12
What changes to courses are allowed?

• Some Faculties offer students the option of a
  pass / fail assessment for certain courses. Where
  this option is available, students may choose a
  pass / fail assessment up until the last day of
  classes.
• (Students are advised to consider this option
  with great care before electing it. A pass / fail
  notation on a course may have a negative impact
  on applications to graduate and professional
  programs.)

13
What changes to courses are allowed?

• Senate Executive has affirmed that tests or exams
  worth more than 20 of the final grade are not
  permitted during the last two weeks of
  remediation (i.e., they must instead be held
  during the exam period).
• This applies to all courses with the exception of
  classes which regularly meet Friday evenings or
  on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday at any time).

14
What should I expect from the first class back?

• Dialogue, debate and decisions about the
  adjustments under which your course will proceed
• Many students may feel the need to express their
  feelings about the impact the strike has had on
  them personally
• Instructors will be keen to resume teaching the
  course materials

15
Doesnt a remediated term mean Im missing out on
some instruction?

• Though the number of teaching days will be
  reduced, in fact, the amount of lost instruction
  is equivalent to approximately 1 week of classes.
  
• As learning is never restricted to whats
  presented in class, students should be prepared,
  as always, to undertake some learning of the
  course on an independent basis.

16
Are tests and assignments that were due during
the strike still due?

• Assignments that fell during the strike will be
  submitted in accordance with the prescribed
  cushion period(see next slide for details).
• Due dates that fell prior to the disruption on
  November 6 remain in effect.
• Concerns about classes, assignments and tests
  should be communicated to course directors or to
  the Chair of the applicable unit or to the
  Associate Dean of the applicable Faculty.

17
Will there be a cushion period for the submission
of work after the strike?

• There will be a cushion period between the
  resumption of classes and tests and the
  submission of assignments. This means that
• tests and exams for all courses (including
  internet and correspondence) will not be
  scheduled in the first five calendar days
  following the resumption of classes
• tests and exams for all courses (including
  internet and correspondence) will not be
  scheduled until at least one class meet with
  course directors has been held
• assignments that were due on dates during the
  disruption need not be submitted until at least
  one class meeting has been held.
• Nb. This does not apply to assignments or work
  such as laboratory exercises which are typically
  assigned and submitted as a regular and integral
  part of the laboratory session.

18
What is the last day to submit term work?

• Faculties establish their own dates for the
  submission of term work, typically the last day
  of classes.
• Notwithstanding this practice, and for the Fall
  Term 2008 only, Senate Executive advises that
  faculty members may permit students to submit
  assignments up to the last day of examinations.

19
What accommodations are available to students
now?

• Academic
• Students whose remediation period will be
  affected by previous arrangements may pursue a
  deferred standing agreement.
• See http//www.registrar.yorku.ca/services/ds_faq.
  htm for details
• For the F term only, students may withdraw from
  courses without receiving a grade one week after
  the conclusion of the Fall term examination
  period.

20
What accommodations are available to students
now?

• Financial
• Tuition deadlines for Winter 2009 will be reset
  once classes resume and interest charges on
  outstanding balances will not accrue for the
  duration of the strike.
• The Ministry of Training, Colleges and
  Universities is exploring options to assist OSAP
  recipients at York. See http//www.yorku.ca/osfs/O
  SAPMain.shtml for details.

21
Can I drop courses and obtain a refund?

• The last day to receive a refund for F, FF, and Y
  term courses was October 1, 2008, so no refund
  will be available for dropping these courses even
  though the academic deadline to drop F term
  courses will be extended and reset once classes
  resume.
• Students are strongly urged to complete the
  academic year instead of dropping out.
• Students may submit a financial petition
  documenting unusual extenuating circumstances,
  but doing so does not guarantee a refund.
• Winter term drop dates are still ahead and
  refunds are available for those courses.

22
What if I have prior travel plans?

• Students who expect to be away travelling during
  what would have been the winter reading week are
  encouraged to be in contact with their
  instructors and/or home department and/or Deans
  office to arrange a deferred standing agreement
  or consult re appropriate alternative access to
  course content.

23
What if revised dates fall on days of religious
observance?

• Senate Policy on religious observance will apply
  as normal.

24
What accommodations will be made for students
with disabilities?

• Students with disabilities can be disadvantaged
  by highly compressed timelines.
• Senate Policies concerning accommodations for
  students with disabilities will apply as usual.
• Students registered with one of Yorks
  disabilities services are encouraged to be in
  early contact with their advisors to assess their
  individual needs around exams etc. (nb. Principle
  of flexibility)

25
What if my instructor isnt following Senate
guidelines?

• Start by talking to your instructor to ensure
  they are aware of your concerns.
• We dont anticipate you will face this situation,
  but if you cannot come to a resolution with your
  instructor, a next step would be to contact your
  Department Chair or Associate Dean.
• Keep in mind that Faculty and TAs are being
  offered similar information to assist them in
  making adjustments to courses.

26
What if Im overwhelmed or not coping?

• Meet with your instructors, peer mentors, or
  classmates for support.
• Seek assistance through the Counselling
  Development Centre and Learning Skills Program if
  youre having trouble coping with the stress of
  resuming your studies.
• Students facing unexpected financial need are
  encouraged to complete the Student Financial
  Profile and/or a written statement documenting
  your changed circumstances.

27
Links to additional information

• Information on Academic Remediation
  http//www.registrar.yorku.ca/disruption/
• Senate Decision Home page http//www.yorku.ca/se
  cretariat/Strike2008/Strike.htm
• Student Financial Services http//www.yorku.ca/yo
  rkweb/currentstudents/moneymatters/index.html
• Keeping up with your Studies http//www.registrar
  .yorku.ca/disruption/keep/index.htm
• Learning Skills Program
  http//www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp
• YULearn
  http//www.yorku.ca/yul
  earn/

28
Links to additional information

• Undergradute Housing
  
• http//www.yorku.ca/stuhouse/documents/Undergrad_H
  ousing_Services_FAQs.pdf
• Apartment Housing
  
• http//www.yorku.ca/stuhouse/documents/Apartment_H
  ousing_Services_FAQs.pdf
• International student FAQs
  
• http//international.yorku.ca/strike.html

29
Section 2Tips for resuming your studies
30
Remember September !

• Think back to what gave you energy back in
  September and put you in school mode?
• Do your best to recreate that feeling
• Get ready! Itll be a fast start!

31
Get Organized

• Start by putting together everything youll need
  for school.
• Assemble textbooks, notebooks, paper and pens,
  review prior materials, and look over the course
  outline
• Nows your chance to get (re-)organized!

32
Catch Up and Review...

• Maybe you did some studying during the strike,
  maybe you didnt.
• In any case, your courses will pick up right
  where they left off , so create some time right
  now to review and remember the material you
  learned in the first part of the term.

33
Start From Where You Are

• When classes resume, you wont have the luxury of
  extra start-up time.
• But dont stressyou can do it! Jump right back
  in, with a structured study schedule.
• Plan at least 1 1/2 hours of study time for every
  in-class hour, and stick to it.
• University will have to take on a higher priority
  again if youre going to be successful.

34
Don't go it alone!

• If you've got a study group, the time is right to
  get it going again.
• Be sure to make full use of the various support
  services on campus such as the Learning Skills
  Program, Writing Centres, Peer Mentoring
  programs, Yorks YULearn resources, Colleges and
  Advising Centres.
• While you're at it, take advantage of your
  instructors office hours to reconnect and answer
  any questions you have about your course content.

35
Look after yourself

• The resumption of classes may prove hectic and
  stressful.
• Be sure to maintain a healthy diet, get adequate
  sleep, and build some stress-busting activity
  into your schedule.
• A little exercise, a short break, and a little
  social time can go a long way to keeping your
  energies and spirits up in the context of your
  study schedule.

36
Leave the Past Behind and Look Ahead

• It is natural to feel stress and anger about the
  impact the strike has had on you.
• Itll be important, however, to leave behind any
  negative feelings you may have about whats
  happened and focus on the challenge ahead.
• Dont waste your energy on what ifs. Look
  aheadyou can still achieve your academic goals!

37
Links to additional information

• Information on Academic Remediation
  http//www.registrar.yorku.ca/disruption/
• Senate Decision Home page http//www.yorku.ca/se
  cretariat/Strike2008/Strike.htm
• Student Financial Services http//www.yorku.ca/yo
  rkweb/currentstudents/moneymatters/index.html
• Keeping up with your Studies http//www.registrar
  .yorku.ca/disruption/keep/index.htm
• Learning Skills Program
  http//www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp
• YULearn
  http//www.yorku.ca/yul
  earn/

38
Links to additional information

• Undergradute Housing
  
• http//www.yorku.ca/stuhouse/documents/Undergrad_H
  ousing_Services_FAQs.pdf
• Apartment Housing
  
• http//www.yorku.ca/stuhouse/documents/Apartment_H
  ousing_Services_FAQs.pdf
• International student FAQs
  
• http//international.yorku.ca/strike.html

39
Thank you for viewing!

• We appreciate you viewing this presentation and
  invite you to share this information with your
  friends and classmates.
• Comments to acmaps_at_yorku.ca
• A copy of this presentation will also be made
  available on www.yorku.ca/acmaps/events.html