THUNDER BAY - Students at Lakehead University will be given several options for how their final grades will look following exams as they complete the academic year under unprecedented circumstances due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Lakehead University Senate met on Monday and approved a temporary grading scheme for students enrolled in year-long and winter 2020 courses.
Upon completion of final exams, students will receive a numeric grade for the course. However, students will be given one week to choose between three options, which include keeping the numeric grade, converting the numeric grade to a pass credit or fail no credit, or a late withdrawl from the course.
“This temporary Grading Scheme ensures the academic integrity of our programs while providing Lakehead University students the flexibility to account for the academic and personal challenges they may be facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said David Barnett, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) of Lakehead University.
“Further, the Grading Scheme is intended to aid in mitigating additional stressors students face as they work towards completing the term and prepare for finals and exams that beginning April 6, 2020.”
Lakehead University Student Union President, Masoud Manzouri, said the student union has been working closely with senior administration at Lakehead, as well as consulting with other post-secondary institutions across the province.
“When we brought it up to the senior administration it was well received by the university,” he said. “They assured us that the decisions they would be working on would be student driven. I am so glad to hear the decision that has been passed by the senate on Monday.”
Manzouri said he believes students will like having the option to determine how their final grade will be reflected given the challenging circumstances.
“I think it is giving the students all the options that we as a student union were advocating for,” he said. “There are some minor differences in other institutions, but I think the way Lakehead University has approached it was very student centrered. I think giving students those options will help them deal with the stress they are already facing.”
The university and the student union continue to support students, including those still living on campus by keeping the residences open and food service available.
“We have ensured that all supports for student success remain in place through virtual access and we have supported our professors and instructional staff in providing alternative course and exam delivery methods,” Barnett said.
Manzouri added the student union is also looking into food deliveries for students living in residence and ensuring they have access to essential services such as groceries.
There are nearly 400 students living in residence, many of whom are international students who are unable to return home due to travel restrictions.
