Academic Policies
Code of Student Conduct
The Ontario College of Art & Design is dedicated to ensuring an environment conducive to effective teaching, learning and artistic creativity. All members of the community are bound to conduct themselves with honesty, integrity and a concern for others. Any action
by any member of the OCAD community that unnecessarily impedes the teaching and learning activities of the university and its members is unacceptable. In the exercise of its disciplinary authority and responsibility, the university treats students as free to organize
their own personal lives, behaviour and associations subject to the law and to university policies, procedures and regulations that are necessary to protect the integrity and safety of university activities and the freedom of university members to participate reasonably in the programs and activities of the university. (2005/2006)
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is behaviour that violates basic principles of academic, scholastic or artistic integrity. Academic misconduct is broadly understood to mean behaviour that interferes with or attempts to interfere with the integrity of the learning environment. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, any conduct that has the potential effect of unfairly promoting or enhancing one’s academic standing or grade, or of assisting another student in the pursuit of such an outcome. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following: plagiarism, misrepresentation
of personal performance or status, and damage to the integrity of scholarly and artistic activity. (2005/2006)
Non-Academic Misconduct
OCAD expects its students to conduct themselves appropriately and reflect the highest standards of integrity in non-academic as well as academic behaviour. Non-academic misconduct pertains to conduct that may impair the university in its capacity to
carry out its educational and legal responsibilities effectively and to serve all students fairly.
Members of the OCAD community must obey all the laws of Canada and the province of Ontario and the bylaws of the City of Toronto as they relate to the university. In addition, the university has the authority to define standards of student behaviour and make provisions for student discipline with respect to conduct that jeopardizes the good order and proper functioning of the academic and non-academic programs and activities of
the university, that endangers the health, safety, rights or property of its members or visitors, or that adversely affects the property of the university or bodies related to it. (2005/2006)
Petition
A petition is a written request from a student seeking exception to or relief from OCAD rules and regulations with respect to deadlines, fees and refunds because of extenuating circumstances such as illness or family bereavement. (2005/2006)
Grade Appeal
A grade appeal is a written request from a student that an academic decision be changed, based on evidence supplied by the student. A student may appeal the grade received in a course. An appeal may be filed because the student questions the grade assigned, the student believes that the method of evaluation was not valid or reasonable in the circumstances, or that the evaluated material or content deviated substantially from the course outline without reasonable notice; or that the university’s regulations governing evaluation were misapplied. (2005/2006)
Code of Student Conduct, Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct
Josephine Polera, Director, Registrarial & Student Services
115 McCaul Street, Level 2
Tel: 416-977-6000, Ext. 285
Fax: 416-977-4201
Student Petitions and Appeals
Susan Kemp, Student Services Administrator
115 McCaul Street, Level 2
Tel: 416-977-6000, Ext. 293
Fax: 416-977-4201
Academic Regulations & Procedures
Enrolment Status: Fall/Winter Session
Full-time Status
To maintain full-time status, students must register for a minimum of 2.0 credits in each of the fall and winter semesters. Students normally take 2.5 credits in each semester in order to complete their program in four years. The maximum course load permitted is 3.0 credits per semester.
Requests for a change from part-time to full-time status must be supported by the student’s Dean (or designate) and submitted to Registrarial & Student Services prior to the start of the fall or winter semester. Application forms are available from Registrarial & Student Services.(2005/2006)
Part-time Status
Part-time program students may register for up to 3.5 credits over the fall and winter semesters, with up to 2.0 credits in one semester.(2005/2006)
Summer Semester
The maximum course load for all students during the summer session is 2.5 credits. (2005/2006)
Repeat Courses
(Revised policy, effective September 2004)
Courses may not be repeated for credit.
Students may have three attempts to pass a course. If the failed course is a program requirement, the student will not be permitted to continue in that program after the third failure.
With the approval of the student's Dean, a passed course may be repeated once to raise a low pass grade. The most recent grade will be included in the calculation of averages.
If the student's Dean approves a repeat course for reasons other than to raise a low pass grade, the first recorded grade will be used in the calculation of averages.
All credit attempts are recorded on an academic transcript. (2005/2006)
Defining Year of Study
The progress of students is measured in terms of credits completed. Year level equivalents are as follows:
Year One: 0 to 4.75 completed credits
Year Two: 5.0 to 9.75 completed credits
Year Three: 10.0 to 14.75 completed credits
Year Four: 15.0 or more completed credits
(2005/2006)
Course Weight
The majority of the courses offered at OCAD have a course weight of 0.5 credit. This usually indicates that classes will meet the equivalent of three hours per week over the course of a 13-week semester. A 0.5-credit course is the equivalent of 39 faculty/student contact hours. Courses with a weight of 1.0 credit meet six hours per week for one semester.(2005/2006)
Choice of Major/Program in First-Year
Students are admitted either to the Faculty of Art or to a specific program in the Faculty of Design. First-year students who wish to change faculty or change program within the Faculty of Design at the end of their first semester of study must submit a change of program application by the first business day in November. Approval is granted by the Dean of the new area of study and is subject to space availability.
All first-year Faculty of Art students must submit a form with their choice of major by the first Friday in February, as follows:
BFA students may apply for one of the following: Criticism & Curatorial Practice, Drawing & Painting, Integrated Media, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture/Installation.
Faculty of Art diploma students may apply for one of the following: Drawing & Painting, Fine Art (no major), Integrated Media, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture/Installation.
Approval is granted by the Dean of the Faculty and may be based on grades, portfolio interviews and space availability. Application forms are available from Registrarial & Student Services. (2005/2006)
Change of Major/Program
Students may apply to change their major/program with the support of the Dean of their new area of study. Students entering or currently in their fourth year are not normally eligible for change of major/program.
Applications must be submitted by the first Friday in February for the following fall/winter semesters. Approval may be based on grades, portfolio interviews and space availability in the requested program. Successful applicants must complete all requirements of their new program. Application forms are available from Registrarial & Student Services.(2005/2006)
Transfer from Diploma to Degree Program
Faculty of Art diploma students who have completed at least 5.0 OCAD credits and have an overall evaluation average of 65% are eligible to transfer to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program.
Faculty of Design diploma students who have completed at least 5.0 OCAD credits and have an overall evaluation average of 65% are eligible to transfer to the Bachelor of Design (BDes) degree program.
Students who had completed 15.0 or more credits by May 2003 are required to complete their original diploma program as well as an additional 2.0 credits in the Faculty of Liberal Studies. At least 1.0 of the 2.0 additional credits must be completed in residence at the university.
Students admitted to OCAD prior to September 2003 may submit a request to transfer liberal studies credits from an accredited post-secondary institution if these credits were not previously eligible for transfer. Transfer of credit requests must be submitted at the same time as the application to Transfer to Degree. Transfer of Credit is subject to OCAD's residency requirements. Application to Transfer to Degree must be made before the first day of classes of the fall or winter semesters or the start of the summer semester. A $100 non-refundable application fee is payable at the time of application.
Application to Transfer to Degree must be made before the first day of classes of the fall or winter semesters or the start of the summer session. A $100 non-refundable application fee is payable at the time of application.
Students may not transfer from a degree program to a diploma program. (2005/2006)
Graduation Requirements
(Revised policy, effective September 2005)
All students must complete program requirements as published at the time of their admission to the program. Where program requirements have changed or previously required courses are no longer offered, students must complete courses appropriate to their year level requirements as approved by their Dean.(2005/2006)
Maximum Credit Attempts and Length of Study for Graduation
(Revised policy, effective September 2005)
Students require a minimum number of credits as follows:
• A student admitted to first year must pass at least 20 credits to graduate, within a maximum of 25 credit attempts and a maximum eight-year term.
• The number of credit attempts and the maximum term will be prorated for students admitted with advanced standing or granted other transfer credits. For example, a student who has been awarded 10 transfer credits must pass at least 10 credits for a total of 20 credits to graduate, within a maximum of 15 credit attempts and a maximum four-year term.
Students who have formally indicated that they intend to pursue a Bachelor of Education program after graduation from OCAD may have up to 2.5 additional credit attempts to complete courses required for a second teachable.
Failed and repeat credits are recorded as credit attempts. Absences from the university of two years or less are included in the term. The number of attempts and length of term may be adjusted by the Associate Registrar for students who receive approval to change
their major/program.
Students who are unable to complete graduation requirements within the eight-year or pro-rated terms may apply to their Dean or designate to discuss the conditions under which they may continue. Approval of extension requests is at the discretion of the Dean or designate.(2005/2006)
Students are eligible to graduate if they:
• have fulfilled all program requirements
• are in good academic standing with an overall average of at least 60%
• have an average of at least 65% in the designated courses of their major/program
• have no outstanding accounts at the university.
Students who have completed their graduation requirements must submit an application to graduate. Fall and spring graduation application deadlines are published annually (see Dates & Deadlines). Fall graduates normally participate in the following spring convocation ceremony. (2005/2006)
Graduation with Distinction
(Revised policy, effective September 2005)
Students in degree programs who have achieved an overall average of 80% and no grade lower than 70% will graduate with distinction. This status will be recorded on the student's academic transcript and diploma. (2005/2006)
Credit Requirements and Limits for Alumni in Degree Programs
Alumni admitted to a degree completion program require a minimum of 5.0 credits in the Faculty of Liberal Studies, with at least 2.0 of these credits at the third- and/or fourth-year levels. Alumni who completed degree-eligible Liberal Studies courses in their diploma program at OCAD may apply a maximum of 2.5 of these credits towards their degree requirements. Alumni who completed equivalent courses at a recognized, accredited university may apply for Transfer of credit for up to half of the requirements as determined at the time of admission. All transfer of credit must be processed and awarded at the time of admission, prior to registration
• Alumni admitted to the degree completion program who require 5.0 credits must complete all of these requirements within a maximum of 6.5 credit attempts and a maximum five-year term.
• The number of credit attempts and the maximum term will be prorated for students granted transfer credits. For example, alumni granted 2.5 transfer credits must pass at least 2.5 credits to graduate, within a maximum of 3.5 credit attempts and a maximum three-year term. (2005/2006)
Grading Scheme
(Revised policy, effective September 2005)
For administrative purposes and for the purpose of designating final grades, OCAD uses a numerical grading system based upon percentages. However, for the purposes of faculty/student communication, numerical grades may be translated into letter grades as outlined in the following scale.
For averaging purposes in determining a student’s overall standing, fail grades are calculated as 45%.
90-100% A+ Exceptional
Exceeded expectations in demonstrating knowledge of concepts and/or techniques, and exceptional skill in their application in satisfying the requirements of a course.
80-89% A Excellent
Demonstrated a thorough knowledge of concepts and/or techniques, and with a very high degree of skill in their application in satisfying the requirements of a course.
70-79% B Good
Demonstrated a good knowledge of concepts and/or techniques, and considerable skill in their application in satisfying the requirements of a course.
65-69% C Satisfactory
Demonstrated a satisfactory level of knowledge of concepts and/or techniques and competence in their application in satisfying the requirements of a course.
60-64% C- Low Satisfactory
Demonstrated a level of knowledge of concepts and/or techniques and their application to the requirements of the course that was minimally satisfactory in an elective or non-major subject, but unsatisfactory in a core course of the student's major subject
50-59% D Poor
Demonstrated minimal knowledge and ability to apply concepts and/or techniques in satisfying the requirements of a course.
0-49% F Fail
Failure to meet course requirements. (2005/2006)
Incomplete Grades
At the discretion of the teaching faculty and at the request of the student, an incomplete grade may be assigned when the student has not completed sufficient course requirements. It is accompanied by a minimum default grade, which becomes the final grade when no additional work is accepted by the faculty within deadlines set by the university. Teaching faculty are not authorized to extend OCAD deadlines. Incomplete grades must be completed and a revised grade submitted to the Registrarial & Student Services office by the published deadlines (see Dates & Deadlines). The default grade submitted becomes the final grade if work is not completed by the published deadline. (2005/2006)
Course Grading Scheme: Guidelines for Teaching Faculty and Students
1. On or before the first class, the teaching faculty must provide students with a written course outline. This outline must specify the following: the methods by which student performance will be evaluated; the relative weight in the final grade of these methods, including any discretionary factor; the due dates of all assignments, tests, exams and critiques; and the penalty for late submission of assignments. A copy of the course outline must be filed in the appropriate faculty office. As well, the teaching faculty must inform the students about both the university’s academic misconduct policy and the participation and attendance policy.
2. To obtain “pass” standing in a course, a student must complete required and assigned course work, as described in the course outline, to the satisfaction of the teaching faculty.
3. Evaluation of student performance in both studio and Liberal Studies courses is based upon a reasonable diversity of methods.
4. No assignment can count for more than 40% of the final grade. Where peer or self-evaluation is used, that component cannot count for more than 25% of the final grade. In courses with multiple sections, the number and weighting of individual assignments shall be reasonably consistent in order to ensure fairness to students in all sections of the course.
5. The grading criteria outlined in each course syllabus indicates the percentage of the final grade assigned to participation. Normally, participation accounts for no more than 15% of the final mark.
Participation includes some or all of the following:
• arriving on time and listening to lectures and instruction
• being prepared and working in class time
• sharing ideas, concepts and creative exploration
• sharing conceptual development in progress with other students
• cooperating in group projects
• analyzing and offering opinions about work in progress
• listening to and being an active participant in critique discussions.
6. After the course outline has been presented, no change in grade weighting may take place unless there is unanimous consent of all students present. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, notice must be given at a regularly scheduled class meeting previous to the class at which the issue is to be decided.
7. Teaching faculty must provide students with an interim grade based on work to date at least one week prior to the final deadline to withdraw from a course without academic penalty.
8. Students are strongly advised to keep rough and draft work and copies of their essays and assignments, as these may be required by the teaching faculty or in the event of a petition or grade appeal.
9. All work that has been evaluated as per the course outline should be returned and time made available for discussion of it. Any student inquiry about a graded piece of work must be made within one month of the return date of the work. (2005/2006)
Attendance Policy
(Revised policy, effective September 2005)
The university expects students to attend classes and participate in them by the standards established by the teaching faculty and as stated in the Calendar. Students’ full participation in OCAD's studio and academic classes is essential to their education. Given that students benefit from an active involvement with faculty and with their fellow students in classes, the university requires that students attend classes on a regular basis and that they participate fully in them.
Please note, a student with three or more unexcused absences may be assigned a failing grade for that course. (2005/2006)
Final Tests, Examinations and Critiques
Final tests, examinations and critiques (including self-directed studies) must be held during the Final Examination and Critique Period as published in the current Dates & Deadlines. If additional time is required for studio courses, the previous week may be used for final examinations and critiques. (2005/2006)
Deferred Final Examination Policy
Students are notified well in advance of the dates of final examinations through the course outlines handed out by teaching faculty at the beginning of a course. If a student does not attend the final examination, he/she will be assigned a mark of zero for that portion of the final course grade. When a student is not able to write a scheduled final examination for exceptional medical or compassionate reasons or because of religious obligations, he/she may appeal to write a deferred examination.
A student who requests deferment of examinations on the basis of religious obligations must notify his/her teaching faculty and make a request in writing to the appropriate Faculty Office within 15 working days of the beginning of the semester. Deferment will not be granted on the basis of scheduling conflict arising from a student’s personal commitments, including employment and travel.
A fee of $70 is charged for writing a deferred examination. (2005/2006)
Student Access to Final Examination Materials
All work submitted to teaching faculty for the purpose of evaluation is promptly returned to students with the exception of final examinations. Final examinations are retained by the appropriate faculty office, with strict regard for principles of confidentiality, for a period of 90 days from the end of the semester. Upon submission of a written request to the appropriate Dean/Assistant Dean, students may receive a copy of their final examination, including any related printed material and their own written response to the examination questions. Students must discuss any concerns they may have with the teaching faculty involved prior to initiating a grade appeal.
Students appealing their final grades based upon a request for a rereading of their final examinations must do so by the published deadline (see Dates & Deadlines) and in accordance with the published guidelines for Student Petitions and Appeals. (2005/2006)
Academic Standing
Dean's Honour List
(New policy, effective September 2005)
All full-time students registered in a Faculty who completed a minimum of 4.0 credits during the previous academic year (May to April) and earned an average of 80% or more with no failed courses will be named to the Dean's Honour List.
Part-time students may qualify for the list each time they accumulate a new set of at least 5.0 consecutive credits and earn 80% with no failed courses within that set.
Full-time or part-time graduating students who attained Dean's Honour List standing in their last checkpoint and maintained a cumulative average of 80% on any courses taken from then until graduation, with no failed courses, will also be named to the Dean's Honour List upon graduation. (2005/2006)
Academic Standing
(Revised policy, effective September 2005)
Academic performance is reviewed after every semester or 2.0 credit attempts. The Dean (or designate) may impose conditions on any student who earns less than 60% average in any semester.
Academic Standing is determined at the end of the winter semester for all students who attempted 2.0 or more credits in the previous academic year (summer, fall and winter semesters). (2005/2006)
Satisfactory Academic Standing
Students who attempt 2.0 or more credits in an academic year and earn an average of 60% or higher* in those credits are in satisfactory academic standing. (2005/2006)
* Some programs may require a higher average for satisfactory academic standing.
Probation
Students who attempt 2.0 or more credits in an academic year and earn an average below 60%* will be on probation during their next academic year. This status is recorded on their academic transcripts.
Students on probation may register for a maximum of 2.0 credits per semester in their next academic year and may be required to meet with their Dean (or designate) for academic advising before the next registration period. The Dean may impose conditions to be fulfilled.
Probationary students with an average of 65% or more in the summer and fall semesters may request the approval of their Dean or to increase their course load in the winter semester. (2005/2006)
* Some programs may require a higher average for satisfactory academic standing.
Withdrawn
Students on probation who attempt 2.0 or more credits in an academic year and earn an average below 60%* are withdrawn from the university. This status is recorded on their academic transcripts.
Students withdrawn from OCAD may not be reinstated for a period of one academic year and may only request reinstatement to the program from which they were withdrawn. If reinstated, these students are placed on probation. Students who are reinstated and fail to attain a 60% average in their second probationary period will be withdrawn from the university and will not be eligible for reinstatement.
Students who are registered for course(s) and have not been notified of withdrawn status five business days before their first class will be permitted to remain registered in those course(s); students will be withdrawn from any credit courses beginning after that date.
* Some programs may require a higher average for satisfactory academic standing.
Note: Under exceptional or extenuating circumstances, withdrawn students may request a reduced term of withdrawal. Requests are submitted to the Director, Registrarial & Student Services. Decisions are made in consultation with the Dean of Faculty. (2005/2006)
Notification of Disclosure
Statistics Canada is the national statistical agency. As such, Statistics Canada carries out hundreds of surveys each year on a wide range of matters, including education.
It is essential to be able to follow students across time and institutions to understand, for example, the factors affecting enrolment demand at post-secondary institutions. The increased emphasis on accountability for public investment means that it is also important to understand "outcomes". In order to carry out such studies, Statistics Canada asks all colleges and universities to provide data on students and graduates. Institutions collect and provide to Statistics Canada student identification information (students' names, ID numbers and Social Insurance Numbers), student contact information (addresses and telephone numbers), student demographic characteristics, enrolment information, previous education, and labour force activity.
The Federal Statistics Act provides the legal authority for Statistics Canada to obtain access to personal information held by educational institutions. The information may be used only for statistical purposes, and the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act prevent the information from being released in any way that would identify a student.
Students who do not wish to have their information used are able to ask Statistics Canada to remove their identification and contact information from the national database.
Further information on the use of this information can be obtained from Statistics Canada's website, www.statcan.ca, or by writing to the Post-Secondary Section, Centre for Education Statistics, 17th floor, R.H. Coats Building, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0T6. (2005/2006)
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