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AUSU Excited About Compassionate Grading Changes

Athabasca University (AU) has announced they would be moving forward with a Temporary Compassionate Grading Policy that was originally proposed by the Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU).

“I am thrilled that AU has listened to us and is implementing compassionate grading for AU students during this pandemic. Being a student is difficult, AU students have additional stresses including work, dependents, and other commitments. Moving forward in our academic journey should recognize the extreme pressure students have felt during these difficult times. Compassionate grading will ensure that those who struggled will not see a single course pull their GPA down and limit opportunities to awards, bursaries, scholarships or negatively impact graduate or professional school opportunities.”

Stacey Hutchings, AUSU President

Here’s the scoop!
As part of the ongoing efforts to support AU students and their mental health and wellness, and to address the student impacts of COVID-19, AU is giving learners the option to choose a flexible grading option for any one course per academic year.

The policy is open to both undergraduate and graduate students attending AU. The policy is temporary and will be in force for AU courses taken between the dates of March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. A review of the policy will take place in November 2021 to determine if it will continue into 2022.

Undergraduate students will have the option of choosing one course for the flexible grading option, however, will need have attained an original grade of C- or higher for that course to qualify. A final grade for your chosen course must be posted before a request for compassionate grading will be considered. Request must also be made for consideration within 30 days of December 31, 2021. The pass grade (appearing on the transcript as “P”) will be unweighted and will not be included in the students GPA calculation.

To take advantage of the compassionate grading policy students will need to contact the relevant Academic Advising Team member or submit a request for Compassionate Grading through the Office of the Registrar Appeals Portal. For more details see the Temporary Compassionate Grading Policy at Athabasca University.