Academic Advising FAQ

General Information

What should I bring to my advising appointment?

You should be prepared with a list of the questions/concerns you would like to discuss with your Academic Advisor. You should also bring a copy of your most recent academic evaluation (available from WebAdvisor) and any information that is relevant to the issues you would like to discuss. If your Academic Advisor has requested a meeting, you should be prepared with any materials they have asked you to provide.

Can I take a course at another University and apply it to my Guelph-Humber degree/diploma requirements?

In order to take any courses at another degree-granting institution, you must first have the courses approved. Students must obtain a Letter of Permission before applying for admission to any other institution. Make sure to submit your Letter of Permission as early as possible as registration deadline at each institution may vary.

Academic Standing

What is Academic Probation?

Academic probation is the academic standing assigned to students who have not satisfied the program requirements for continuation of study (typically based on the student's cumulative average), but have been given the opportunity to continue in the program for a defined period of time.

Students on academic probation are required to achieve a minimum semester average of 60% to be eligible to continue. Students who do not achieve a minimum semester average of 60% will be assigned a standing of Required to Withdraw.

How will I know if I am on Academic Probation?

You can, and should, monitor your academic standing by reviewing your semester and cumulative average using WebAdvisor. If you are placed on academic probation you will be sent an email informing you of your academic standing. An information package containing detailed information is also mailed to your current mailing address from your Academic Advisor.

How do I get off Academic Probation?

Once you achieved a minimum cumulative average of 60% you will be removed from Academic Probation.

While on Academic Probation am I required to maintain a 60% during the summer semester or while taking part-time classes?

Yes, if you register for a summer semester and are on probation you must achieve a minimum average of 60% to be allowed to continue. Regardless of how many courses you are taking, you must maintain a 60% cumulative average.

What happens if I am on Academic Probation and do not receive the minimum semester average required?

If you do not meet the minimum semester or cumulative average of 60%, you will be required to withdraw from the university for a minimum of two semesters.

What does Required to Withdraw mean?

Required to Withdraw is the academic standing assigned to students who have not satisfied the program requirements for continuation of study. Students who are required to withdraw may appeal to the Academic Review Committee for probationary status to be granted. Students should meet with their advisors to discuss their options. When a student is required to withdraw, they are not able to register at the university for a minimum of two semesters. After the two-semester rustication period has ended, students must re-apply to the university in order to resume their studies.

Course Selection

How do I know what courses to take each semester?

The program plan for your specific program of study will provide you with a listing of courses offered each semester, as well as the pre-requisites for each course and an overview of the graduation requirements for the course.

View your program plan

Where can I find course descriptions?

Course descriptions are available in the Academic Calendar.

I am trying to register for a course but WebAdvisor says that I do not have the pre-requisites, what can I do?

An instructor may, at their discretion, sign a Course Waiver form which would override the published prerequisites for a course. Once the waiver has been signed by the instructor, you must see your Academic Advisor in order to register for the course.

I want to register for a course but it is full, what can I do?

Once a course has reached capacity, students will no longer be able to register for it, as faculty are not permitted to add students to full sections. Students are encouraged to select an alternate section. Where an alternate section is not an option, students should select an alternate course. Students who have exhausted all above options are encouraged to see their Academic Advisor.

The add period has ended but I still need to change my schedule, what can I do?

Course additions and section changes are not allowed beyond the end of the scheduled add period; this is the 5th class day of any given semester, for specific dates, please see the Schedule of Important Dates. If you have extenuating circumstances that have prevented you from adding a full course load prior to the end of the add period, you should speak with your Academic Advisor. Please note, Academic Advisors will not accommodate course/section changes for work schedule conflicts, car pooling, etc.

The add period has passed and I just realized I have a conflict in my schedule, what can I do?

Students should read the course schedule carefully when planning their courses. If a single section posts three class times during the week, the student must attend all three classes. Using a blank class schedule to plan your courses in advance of selecting them on WebAdvisor, will help you avoid potential conflicts. If your schedule needs to be changed, you must see your Academic Advisor who will accommodate you based on course availability at the time the conflict is discovered.

Am I still able to drop a class after the 40th class day?

The 40th class day is listed in the schedule of dates and is the last day student can drop a class without incurring academic penalties. For specific dates please see the Schedule of Important Dates. Students wishing to drop a class beyond the 40th class day are required to fill out a Request for Academic Consideration to request the course be dropped. Making a Request for Academic Consideration does not ensure that the course(s) in question will be dropped.

Where can I go for help with WebAdvisor?

Students are encouraged to take the WebAdvisor tutorial in WebAdvisor. WebAdvisor is the tool used by University of Guelph-Humber students to select their courses, print evaluations, access final grades, and pay tuition. The Learning Support Peers are also able to assist students having difficulty using WebAdvisor.

Examinations and Grades

I have two exams scheduled at the same time. What do I do?

Students who are scheduled to write two exams at the same time must submit an Exam Conflict sheet (available in GH 108 - Advising Offices) to their Academic Advisor as soon as possible. Once all exam conflicts have been forwarded, your Advisor will reschedule one of the examinations and notify you of the new date and time. All final examinations not written at the posted scheduled time will be written in the Humber Test Centre. All rescheduled exams will be written during the scheduled examination period.

What constitutes an exam conflict?

An exam conflict is defined as two final examinations at the same time on the same day or three examinations scheduled within a 24-hour period.

I missed one (or more) of my final exams, what do I do now?

Students who miss scheduled final examinations must submit a Request for Academic Consideration in order to be granted permission to write during the deferred examination period. Academic consideration is granted on documented medical, psychological, or compassionate grounds. All requests for consideration are reviewed by the Academic Review Sub-committee, which meets six times each semester.

How can I have my final grade reassessed?

Students normally initiate a request for a grade re-assessment by contacting the instructor of the course in question. Grade re-assessment is the process of reviewing the calculation of grades, or the methods and criteria used to establish final grades for a student in a course or misapplication of an academic regulation. The outcome of a grade re-assessment may be a grade increase, a grade decrease, or no change to the grade. The detection of errors or omissions in the calculation of final grades will result in the assignment of a revised grade. If you are unable to contact the course instructor, please see your Academic Advisor.

What does MNR mean on WebAdvisor?

If you see a grade of MNR, we are still waiting to receive final grade information from the course instructor. Please contact your Academic Advisor for further information.

Support Services

I have a learning/physical/medical disability, what services can I access?

The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) is available to assist students with disabilities in their academic pursuits. They provide accommodation for any learning, physical, or psychological disability. Services include assistive technology, note takers, administering midterms and final exams, etc.

I'm having a hard time coping with school and other stressors in my life. Who can I talk to?

It would be advisable to see your Academic Advisor as soon as possible, as your Program Advisor can help you cope with your stress and provide you with guidance in dealing with your studies. Professional counselling is also provided free of charge in a private and confidential setting through Counselling Services.

What do I do if I get sick while in school?

Medical and nursing assistance is available on campus. Every weekday, experienced nurses are on duty in the Health Centre. Physicians are available by appointment during the week. All full-time University of Guelph-Humber students are automatically covered by the Humber Students' Federation's Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan.

If you fall ill during the course of the semester resulting in a missed assignment or midterm, you must advise the appropriate faculty member immediately. You will also need to provide a doctor's note to support your illness.

If you fall ill during final exams, you must let your Program Advisor know immediately. You will be asked to fill out an Academic Consideration form and support it with a letter explaining your absence and a doctor's note.

I am having a hard time transitioning into University. Who can I talk to?

Aside from your Academic Advisor, the Learning Support Peers (LSPs) are a group of senior students who are available to assist students with their transition into university life. The LSPs can assist you in planning your semester and provide valuable sessions on time management to academic success strategies. They also research various graduate and professional schools and provide resources on career information.

I am having trouble writing a paper. Is there a place where I can go for help?

The Writing Centre provides support with essay writing and thesis development. Students wishing to improve their writing skills are invited to drop in for one-on-one help. Whether you need to work on the finer points of grammar, research strategies or argumentation techniques, you can visit the writing centre and receive clear and personalized instruction. Please note that the centre does not proofread completed assignments to be submitted, but will be happy to show students how to proofread. Research support is also available at the Learning Commons desk with a trained Librarian.

I am having a hard time with my math related courses, where can I go for help?

The Math Centre offers assistance with calculus and statistics and for those students whose class work has shown their mathematics skills to be weak. Students may drop in any time for specific help, or they may come on a regular basis to work on a program designed to meet their individual needs.