Students: Exemptions Policy

Recognizing that such factors as learning style and extenuating personal circumstances may affect student performance and progress, and that academic achievement alone is not always the only indicator of a student’s ability to successfully complete a Community Research Placement, requests by students for exemption from the eligibility criteria (i.e. to waive the academic prerequisites) will be considered. The instructor and host supervisor will make exemption decisions based on the following information:

• A letter, written by the student, making a sound “case” for an exemption. This letter should address the issue(s) of past academic performance and/or credit deficit, and also his or her abilities and qualifications relating to the particular project being undertaken.
• Advice of Community-Based Education Program staff.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the above information is forwarded to their staff contact with the Community-Based Education Program, who will pass it along to the instructor and host for consideration.

Students who are not satisfied with the resulting decision may appeal to a committee made up of community and University faculty representatives who advise the Community-Based Education Program.

Note: Instructors of other courses that participate in the Community-Based Education Program are encouraged to adopt the above eligibility criteria. Program staff will assist them with the process of verifying students’ eligibility and any requests for exemptions.