Academic Calendar 2024-2025

Regulations and Policies

University Policies

The Faculty of Law is subject to academic policies approved by the University Senate. For a full listing of Senate Policies, see https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/student-policy-index

Tuition & Fees

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to make changes in the scale of fees if, in its opinion, circumstances so warrant.
Full details regarding tuition, ancillary, residence and administrative fees are here: http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/financials/tuition-fees 

Faculty of Law Policies and Regulations

Academic Integrity1

The full policy and procedures form part of this academic calendar. They are appended to the calendar and posted here: Academic Integrity Policy, Procedures and Forms. Questions may be directed to the Faculty of Law Academic Integrity Coordinator at lawacintegrity@queensu.ca. 

Access and Privacy

Queen's University collects, maintains, uses, and discloses students’ personal information in accordance with the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. As secondary custodians of student personal information faculties, schools and departments are subject to the Office of the University Registrar's Policy available at: http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/resources/policies/accessprivacy. Further information is available at: http://www.queensu.ca/accessandprivacy.

1

Approved September 15, 2017, amended November 19, 2018.

Assessment and Grading

Grading System

The grading system for the Faculty of Law is as follows:1

Letter Grade Grade Point Descriptor
A 4.0 Exceptional
A- 3.7 Excellent
B+ 3.3 Very Good
B 3.0 Good
B- 2.7 Satisfactory
C+ 2.3 Fair
C 2.0 Adequate
D2 1.0 Marginal
F 0.0 Failure
P Pass

Non-Evaluative Grades:

  • IN (Incomplete): assigned when outstanding work is not completed. The IN to lapse to F if the work is not completed by the end of the following term;
  • GD (Grade Deferred): similar to IN, but has no lapse rule;
  • NG (Not Graded): Courses that span multiple terms are assigned a notation of NG until the course is completed;
  • AU: audit; TR: transfer credit and
  • DR: course dropped.
1

Approved November 18, 2010.

2

Lowest passing grade for a course in law (exception is for a failed course, for which supplemental exam privileges are granted by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee – minimum grade is C).

Mandatory Grading Policy

The Faculty has approved the following grading policies:1

  • In lecture courses (i.e. courses other than seminars and small sections), B is the median grade, no more than 20% of students are awarded grades of A or A-, and no more than 20% of students are awarded grades of C+ or lower;
  • In first year small section courses and upper year seminar courses, B or B+ is the median grade, no more than 30% of students are awarded grades of A or A-, and no more than 20% of students are awarded grades of C+ or lower.

These policies are subject to the following terms:2

  • The maximum percentages allowed for A/A- grades and C+ or lower are subject to a deviation of 5%;
  • The median requirements are mandatory subject to the discretion to go above or below the median, provided this affects no more than 5% of the class; and

The enforcement mechanism is as follows:

  • Where instructors do not comply with the above requirements, they are required to identify the number of students involved and to rank those students;
  • The matter will be referred to the Associate Dean (Academic), who will attempt an informal resolution; and
  • If the matter is not resolved, the grades will be adjusted to comply with the guidelines. The adjustment will be in accordance with the instructor's ranking and will be reported to the ASPC. The instructor may appeal the adjustment to the ASPC, which may confirm the adjusted grades or the instructor's nonconforming marks.

Exception3: Instructors are encouraged to comply with the mandatory grading policy, even in low enrolment courses. However, courses in which enrolment is less than ten may allow more grades of A and A minus, and a higher median.

1

Approved November 10, 2000. 

2

Approved October 17, 2003.

3

Approved January 30, 2015. 

Anonymous Grading Policy

In order to maintain anonymity in the evaluation of student work1:

  • Whenever possible, students should be evaluated and graded on an anonymous basis;
  • Written tests and examinations, assignments and journal work, for which anonymous grading is feasible, shall be graded and recorded by the instructor on an anonymous basis;
  • If available, recommendations for course prizes will be made anonymously by submitting the student number of the student with the highest grade in the class;
  • This policy will apply to all classes; and
  • This policy is not to be interpreted or applied in a way that discourages the use of individualized assignments or the giving of individualized guidance to students in the preparation of essays or other assignments. 
1

Approved October 20, 2004.

Deadline for Submission of Course Work

Written course work is due on the last day of classes each term. Faculty members have discretion to extend the deadline for submission of such work until the last day of examinations for the term. All other extensions must be approved by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee.

A student seeking an extension must, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, submit a request to the Committee prior to the applicable deadline. When a faculty member will not grant an extension within the period of discretion, a student may apply to the Academic Standing and Policies Committee for assistance. Information provided by faculty members will be relevant where a student seeks an extension. However, an agreement between a faculty member and a student will not bind the Committee in the exercise of discretion.

The Committee may grant an extension for the submission of written coursework beyond the last day of examinations for the term in which the written work was originally due if there are documented medical, personal or compassionate grounds supporting the request and the student made reasonable efforts to complete the work in a timely fashion. In the absence of documented medical, personal or compassionate grounds, if the Committee is satisfied that the student exercised reasonable diligence in attempting to complete the coursework in a timely fashion and there are no inequities that would arise as a consequence.

Failure to Complete Course Requirements

If a student fails to complete the requirements for any course within one year after the last day of classes for that course, no further extensions will be granted. The student will fail the course.

Grade Appeals Process

Access and Retention of Final Examination Papers and Written Course Work

Instructors may informally review the final examination paper with a student who requests it and are encouraged to do so. However, access may not be granted before the final marks are released. Further, exams cannot be shared until all students have written the exam, including deferred exams. 

Instructors have an obligation to retain any original hardcopy of final exams for a period of 12 months. Exams written on a computer will be retained by the Student Services Office for the same period. Instructors should not give original hardcopy exams to students. Instructors may allow a student to review their own exam while meeting with the teacher or may provide the student with a photocopy or electronic copy of their own exam. Exam questions will only be shared with the student by request from the instructor and only if the exam has not been marked confidential. Term papers or other assignments graded D or F that form a major portion of the final grade should be treated in the same way as final exams. 

Instructors may wish to show a student the exam or paper of another student, perhaps as an example of excellent work. The permission of the student should be obtained before the paper is circulated. All identifying information should be removed from the exam or paper. If the exam was written by hand then it should be typed before distribution. 

Informal Review Process

Students are encouraged to meet with their teacher to discuss their performance on assignments and examinations. The goal of such discussion is to provide the student with feedback on performance and to provide the student with an explanation of the grading criteria and evaluation. Instructors may want to clarify that grade discussions are an opportunity to explain to students why they obtained a particular grade and to give advice and assistance on how to improve. It is unusual for a teacher to change a grade as a result of a grade discussion, except in unusual circumstances, such as a calculation error. An instructor who wishes to change a final course grade must first submit a grade change form to the Student Services Office.

Grade discussions may take place in person or by phone, email, or letter. If a student requests an opportunity to discuss a grade, the teacher should arrange to do so within a reasonable time. If a teacher will not be in Kingston at the relevant time, the teacher should provide contact information so that students may contact him or her with a request. An informal review must be sought within a reasonable time after the general release of grades for the term in which the grade was received.

Formal Grade Appeals Process

A student may appeal a final grade of D or F on any examination or assignment worth 50% or more of the final grade in the course. Final grades in courses in which evaluation is based on skills-based exercises and /or scaffolded assessments such as advocacy trials, moots, negotiation exercises, advanced legal research, or clinical placements are excluded from this appeal process because it is not possible to replicate or reassess the exercises on which the evaluation was based.

This appeal process is not intended for those students whose academic performance was adversely affected by documented medical, personal or compassionate grounds. Relief sought on this basis is described in the sections on Special Examination privileges and in the provisions for requesting extensions for submission of written coursework.

Allegations of bias or discrimination may not form the basis of a grade appeal under this policy; such complaints should be made directly to the Queen’s Human Rights Office, under the Harassment/Discrimination Complaint Policy and Procedure at https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/harassment-and-discrimination-prevention-and-response-policy

  • Students who wish to appeal a grade must notify the Assistant Dean of JD and Graduate Legal Studies by filing a formal Grade Appeal Application within 2 months of the release of grades. Students are encouraged to seek an informal review with the instructor prior to launching a formal appeal. No formal grade appeal shall be initiated after the expiry of the 12-month period for retention of formal examination papers and major papers and assignments for the course in which an appeal of the final grade is sought.
  • The Assistant Dean of JD and Graduate Legal Studies will notify the Associate Dean (Academic) of the filing of the grade appeal. The Associate Dean (Academic) will then assign another faculty member with expertise in the relevant area to review the assignment or examination under appeal.
  • The reviewer shall provide the Assistant Dean of JD and Graduate Legal Studies with their assessment of the appropriate grade within 30 days. The grade assigned by the reviewer will govern and will replace the grade initially assigned by the instructor of the course. The reviewer may either raise or confirm the original grade.

Examinations and Assessment

University Examination Regulations

http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/exams/regulations

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is fundamental to all scholarly activities, including the examination process. Queen's University adheres to the definition articulated by the Centre for Academic Integrity, that academic integrity is made up of the five core values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. This overview is adopted from the Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity. The Queen's University Policy on Academic Integrity is intended to supplement the policy on Academic Dishonesty presently found in University calendars and posted on the web at Academic Integrity @ Queen's. 

Breaches of academic integrity are considered entirely unacceptable within the University community and the student who commits such an offence runs the risk of a range of sanctions including a failure in the course or a requirement to withdraw from the University.

Prohibited Activity in Exams

The following are some examples of activities that are prohibited during an exam:

  • impersonating another student,
  • copying from another student,
  • making information available to another student,
  • communicating with another student, or
  • using unauthorized material.

All breaches of academic integrity will be reported in writing by the Proctor on an examination incident report to the instructor of the course via the Exams Office. A breach of academic integrity in Faculty of Law computer examinations will be reported in an incident report. The Instructor will receive the incident report and a copy will be provided to the Associate Dean (Academic).

The Faculty of Law Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures form part of this calendar of academic regulations and is appended as Appendix 1.

Conduct During Exams1

http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/exams/regulations

  • Any candidate arriving at an exam hall after the beginning of the exam will receive only the remaining time in which to write the exam. The late candidate's paper will be marked only at the discretion of the Faculty.
  • No candidate will be allowed to leave the exam hall within thirty minutes of the start time of the exam.
  • No articles such as textbooks, notes, books of tables, data sheets, graphs, paper, written material, calculators, etc., may be taken into the exam hall unless authorized by the instructor in writing at least 3 days before the exam.
  • A candidate shall not remove any material issued for the examination from the examination hall. Each candidate must submit all issued materials before leaving the exam hall.
  • Food, drinks (except water - see 7. below), recording or playback devices, and other electronic communication devices such as cell phones and other mobile devices are not permitted in the exam hall. Likewise, handbags, purses, and book bags are not permitted in an exam hall. Students should bring only essential items to the exam. The University assumes no responsibility for personal property lost in or near any examination hall.
  • Students may bring (transparent recommended) bottled water into the examination hall.
  • Candidates who have not left their exam table prior to the final fifteen minutes of the exam will be required to remain at their exam table until dismissed by the Chief Proctor.
  • Students must submit information about illness or other circumstances affecting their work to the relevant Faculty within twenty-four hours of the exam in the course concerned.

Failure to comply with the regulations listed above or with the instructions of an exam proctor may result in a written report by the Chief Proctor which will be distributed to the instructor of the course, the Dean of the relevant Faculty, and the Exams Office.

Missing Queen’s Student Photo ID

If a student does not have a Queen's Student Photo ID Card at an official exam, the procedure in the following section will apply. Students writing an exam without a Queen's Student Photo ID card will be assessed a fine of $50.00 per exam.

Students writing an exam without a Queen's Student Photo ID card will be assessed a fine of $50.00 per exam.

In April 2000, the Senate Committee on Academic Procedures, Sub-committee on Exams changed the procedure to identify students at exams. If a student does not have a Queen’s Student Photo ID Card at an exam, the following procedure will apply:

  • The student’s attendance card will be stamped "No Queen's Photo ID".
  • The student will be directed by a proctor to the Chief Proctor or Associate Proctor who will take a photograph of the student. The student will be asked to put their name, student number, course and number of the exam on a form. The personal information on the form is collected under the Royal Charter of 1841, as amended. The information collected will be used by the Office of the University Registrar to verify the identity of exam candidates who did not bring their Queen's Student Photo ID to a mid-year or final examination.
  • The Exams Office will have the photo checked against the University's Photo Identification computer picture to verify that the student is actively registered in the course. If any discrepancies are found, the Exams Office will notify the professor of the course.
  • A fine of $50.00 per exam will be charged and added as a debt the following working day after the exam(s) is written. The Senate Policy on Student Debtors applies.
1

Revised March 27, 2006.

Examination Accommodations and Extenuating Circumstances

Information may be obtained here: https://law.queensu.ca/programs/jd/student-support/education-equity/academic-consideration-academic-accommodation. Arrangements for examination accommodations should be made through Queen’s Student Accessibility Services. The deadlines for arrangements are 15 November for December examinations and 15 March for April examinations. Law students should contact the Manager of Education and Equity Services for assistance in ensuring that accommodations are arranged before the relevant deadlines. Students with short-term medical conditions or extenuating circumstances may contact the Manager of Education & Equity Services for assistance. Students will be required to provide medical documentation evidencing the need for accommodation. 

Examination Disruptions: Cancellations or Evacuations

http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/exams/cancellations-evacuations

Evacuation

Students should not depart from the official examination hall; students should evacuate as ordered, but not depart from the designated site pending further direction from their instructor, the instructor's designate or Campus Security. It may be possible to resume the examination at the official site or an alternative site following an evacuation caused by a disruption.

Cancellation for Inclement Weather

If adverse weather conditions cause a closure of the University, then an announcement of the official decision to close will be posted on the University website at www.queensu.ca. A posted official announcement of the closure means that all examinations scheduled for that particular day (or part thereof) are also cancelled. If an examination is cancelled, the instructor of the course will have the authority to decide how to deal with the cancellation of the exam and its effect on the course. Information will be posted on the Faculty website as soon as possible after the cancellation.

Use of Calculators in Examinations

The Faculty of Law and the Exams Office have approved the CASIO 991 calculator for use, provided that the model does not allow for access to the internet nor has storage capabilities for unauthorized information.

Faculty of Law Assessment Policies

Supplemental Examination Privileges

(Faculty Policy)

When a first year student obtains a grade of F in not more than two courses, or a second or third year student obtains a grade of F in one course, and the balance of the student's grades are satisfactory, the Faculty Board, through the Academic Standing and Policies Committee (the Committee), may grant the student supplemental examination privileges. The minimum passing grade for a supplemental examination is C.

Supplemental examination privileges are available only for courses in which the final examination is worth at least 50% of the final grade. Supplemental examinations are not available in courses in which there is no final examination option or in courses in which evaluation is based on skills-based exercises such as advocacy trials, moots, negotiation exercises or clinical placements.

Scheduling of Supplemental Examination Privileges

The Faculty Board has established designated time periods for writing supplemental examinations. For fall term courses, this period is the second week of February. For winter term courses this period is the last full week of July. If a student who has been granted supplemental examination privileges fails to write the examination without prior notice of inability to write on the scheduled date, a grade of F shall be recorded for the examination. No further supplemental examination privileges will be granted for that attempt of the course. If a student who is granted supplemental examination privileges provides notice of inability to write the examination on the scheduled date but the reason for the inability to write the examination is not adequate, no further deferral of the supplemental examination will be granted and a grade of F shall be recorded for that attempt of the course. The adequacy of the notice is a matter that can be decided by the Academic Standing & Policies Committee.

Transcript Notation When Supplemental Examination Privileges are Granted

The original grade of F assigned to the student by the instructor in the course remains on the student's official academic record. Once the supplemental examination is written and the final grade of the course is received taking into account the results of the supplemental examination, and this grade is approved by Faculty Board, the supplemental grade for the course replaces the F, with a supplemental exam ruler on the student's official academic record.

Special Examination Privileges

(Faculty Policy)

Special examination privileges are available only for courses in which the final examination is worth at least 50% of the final grade. Special examinations are not available in courses in which there is no final examination option or in courses in which evaluation is based on skills-based exercises such as advocacy trials, moots, negotiation exercises or clinical placements.

The Academic Standing and Policies Committee may grant special examination privileges on documented medical or documented personal or compassionate grounds in the following circumstances:

  • Where the student's performance has been adversely affected on a required examination.
  • Where the student was unable to write or complete a required examination.

Any student seeking such relief must submit an application for special examination privileges to the Academic Standing and Policies Committee within one week of the date of the examination for which special examination privileges will be sought. If the extent of the impairment of performance was not apparent until the grades for the term are released, then the student must submit an application for special examination privileges to the Academic Standing and Policies Committee within one week of the release of grades for the term in which the course for which the student intends to bring a request for special examination privileges was offered. These deadlines may be extended by the Committee in exceptional circumstances. The student should make submissions to the Committee through the Manager of Education and Equity Services, helen.connop@queensu.ca, tel. 533.6000 ext. 78147. Students must complete and submit the Application to Academic Standing and Policies Committee form which is available in room 200 and on-line on the Queen’s Law Portal under student forms.

The student must also provide documentation of the medical, personal or compassionate grounds supporting the request. The Committee also has discretion to grant special examination privileges in exceptional circumstances.

Notes:

  • In considering requests for special examination privileges or other special consideration, the Committee requires supporting evidence of adverse medical or personal circumstances affecting performance. This information is kept confidential to the Committee. Applicants are strongly advised to document the claim as closely as possible to the date of the claimed special circumstances and with as specific information as possible. Such documentation should be issued by a doctor who was treating the student at the relevant time or other appropriate health professional from the Student Health, Counselling and Disability Services Office.
  • "Compassionate grounds" for a special examination will generally arise only where a serious family crisis or illness would have a direct and foreseeable impact on the student's ability to write their examinations as scheduled. If a student misses an exam for reasons of personal exigency that do not meet this threshold for compassionate grounds, the student may be permitted to write a special examination with penalty, and the grade received will be lowered by one grade point, with or without academic penalty.

Scheduling of Special Examinations

The Faculty Board has established designated time periods for writing special examinations. For fall term courses, this period is the second week of February. For winter term courses this period is the last full week of July. If a student who has been granted special examination privileges fails to write the examination without adequate notice of inability to write on the scheduled date, a grade of F shall be recorded for the examination. No further deferral of special examination privileges will be granted in respect to that attempt of the course. The adequacy of the notice and of the reasons given for inability to write the exam are matters for the Committee to decide. If the failure to give adequate notice is justified by the underlying medical, personal or compassionate grounds that support the need for special examination privileges, then a further deferral of the special examination privileges would be granted by the Committee upon written request from the student. As a general rule, if the Committee grants a further deferral, such exams will be deferred to the next official or designated examination period. If the student fails to write special examination privileges after two deferrals, the student may be required by the Committee to withdraw from the course without academic penalty.

Examination Undertakings for Special Examinations 

Students who are granted special examination privileges by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee are required to complete and sign an examination undertaking. The examination undertaking expresses that the student has not, or will not discuss, or in any way attempt to ascertain the contents of the examination for which special privileges have been granted as it is possible that some of the questions may overlap with those on the special examination.  Failure to comply with the conditions of a signed undertaking constitutes a breach of professional ethics, and is considered a form of academic dishonesty.

Transcript Notation When Special Examination Privileges are Granted

For all courses in which special examination privileges are granted and not lost by failure to write the examination on the scheduled date without notice or with notice, but without adequate reason for failure to write, the official transcript will reflect a grade deferred notation (GD) until such time as the final course grade is received and approved by Faculty Board.

Supplemental and Special Examinations and Failure to Complete Course Requirements (Faculty Policy)

If a student fails to complete the requirements for any course within one year after the last day of classes for that course, no further deferrals or special examination privileges will be granted and the student will be required to withdraw from the course.

Supplemental and Special Examinations and Failure to Satisfy Course Pre-requisites or Co-requisites (Faculty Policy)

If a student does not have a finalized grade in a course because of the grant of special or supplemental examination privileges, and this course is either a prerequisite or co-requisite to another course in which the student is pre-registered or obtained through the add/drop process, the student may be required to withdraw from registration in the course for which the prerequisite or co-requisite has not been satisfied. Similarly, the student may be refused registration in a course for which the pre-requisite or co-requisite has not been satisfied. The student may apply to the Committee for permission to be exempted from this rule. The Committee may grant an exemption if the instructor waives the requirement, the Committee is satisfied that the student has sufficient background and/or experience in the subject matter and no other inequities arise by reason of such exemption.

Conflicts and Timing

Examination Conflicts

The Office of the University Registrar - Exams Office is responsible for all administrative matters regarding examinations under the policies and procedures of the University. The Faculty of Law administers all computer examinations and hand-written examinations. Accommodated examinations are administered by the Exams Office. Individual arrangements are made for each accommodated student. It is imperative that students notify the appropriate Faculty contacts as soon as they are aware of a conflict to allow time to make special arrangements.

If a conflict arises from the Faculty of Law Computer Exams schedule, arrangements to address such conflicts must be made by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee. 

The Faculty of Law adopts the University Policy concerning what constitutes an examination conflict. An Exam Conflict is defined by a student's exam timetable containing any of the following:

  • two (2) exams at the same time;
  • an exam at the same time as a religious observance; or,
  • an exam in three (3) consecutive exam slots within 24 hours.

Exam Timing1

There shall be no exams or tests worth more than 25% scheduled during the last week of classes, and no exams or tests shall be scheduled between the last week of classes and the beginning of the official exam period.

Take Home Examinations2

  • Centrally scheduled official examinations and computer examinations administered by the Faculty of Law at the law school should be no longer than three hours in duration.
  • An examination longer than three hours may be administered as a take-home examination.
  • A take-home examination is an examination that students are permitted to write at a location of their choosing. A take-home examination is neither held nor supervised (proctored) at the law school.
  • Take-home examinations should not exceed eight hours in length.
  • Take-home examinations may be administered electronically to students at the discretion of the instructor. Instructors planning to hold a take-home examination should submit this information to the Director of Student Records and Enrolment for inclusion in the course information spreadsheet.
  • Take-home examinations will be scheduled on the date assigned on the examination schedule for the course. Take-home examinations must be held within regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. An exception may be permitted to allow Saturday scheduling for examinations in short-credit courses that end part way through the term.

This policy does not apply to examinations that are privately administered by the instructor. Instructors who elect to administer their own examinations should take into consideration when setting such examinations the effects on the centrally administered examinations. As in the case of centrally administered examinations, instructors holding private examinations should include all relevant information regarding these examinations at the appropriate times.

1

Approved November 10, 2000.

2

Approved October 18, 2013.

Confidentiality, Reuse and Records Retention

Confidential Examinations

All final law examinations are classified “confidential”. Students will be required to submit their examination questions with their answer booklets before leaving the examination hall.

Reutilization of Examination Questions1

  • The reutilization of questions used on a previous law examination is strongly discouraged as it may cause unfairness or problems of academic integrity.
  • Once a final examination has been administered, its confidentiality can no longer be guaranteed. Each academic year, after a course is fully graded and provided that the instructor gives permission for this release, the final examination will be released to the Law Library examination bank to facilitate exam preparation by students.

Retention Period for Examination Question Papers in the Law Library Exam Bank2

Final examination question papers which have been authorized for release to the Law Library Exam Bank will be published online for a period of 10 years from the date of publication. Following the retention period, the electronic copy of the examination question paper will be removed from the Law Library Exam Bank.

If there is sufficient space in the Law Library, a hard copy version of each law examination will be retained by the Law Library. The Law Library holds examination question papers dating back to the establishment of the Faculty of Law in 1957.

Language-Based Requests for Additional Examination Time

All exchange students whose first language is not English and who will not be receiving a degree from Queen's University can apply to the Central Exams Office for an extra half hour of time in which to write final examinations and permission to bring one language translation dictionary to the examination room. The request form must be filed before November 15 for fall term exams and before March 15 for winter term examinations.

Language-based requests for additional time in examinations by Queen's JD degree program students, in the Civil Law-Common Law combined program who are not fluent in English should be submitted to the Faculty's Academic Standing and Policies Committee as early as possible. The same deadlines apply to these requests. Such requests must be renewed each year.

1

Approved March 14, 2014.

2

Approved February 3, 2017.

First Year Examinations and Non-Examination Assessments

The Faculty of Law administers first-year practice examinations as computer examinations. Proctors are arranged by the Faculty of Law.

  1. Mid-Term Examinations for All First-year, Year Long Courses1: The Faculty of Law recognizes the importance of encouraging multiple opportunities for assessment and feedback to enhance student learning. All first year, year-long courses shall have an examination at the mid-point of the course that shall count for 10% of the student’s final grade. Instructors in these courses may choose to permit this examination to count for up to an additional 15% of the student’s final grade, the additional weight (above 10%) counting only if it would benefit the student.
  2. Non-Exam Assessment in First-year Small Section Courses2: Each small section shall offer students at least one mandatory non-examination assignment, and that assignment or those assignments shall be worth at least 25% of the final grade.
  3. Non-Exam Assessment in All Other First-year Courses: First-year courses other than those taught as small sections shall offer students at least one optional non-examination assignment, and that assignment or those assignments shall be worth at least 15% of the final grade. (Instructors may choose to make the assignments or assignments count toward the final grade only if it is better than the final examination).

The number and weight of assignments only apply to multi-term courses. Instructors in first-year courses in Public Law and Constitutional Law should be guided by these rules in setting assignments for the full year.

1

Approved March 23, 2018.

2

Approved January 30, 2015.

Academic Standing1

All students must ensure that they remain in good academic standing. 

1

Approved March 11, 2011.

Registration/Status Requirements

Registration Status and Performance Requirements in the JD and Combined JD Degree Programs

Determination of Registration Status as Full-time or Part-time

Registration status as full-time or part-time will be determined at the point of admission by the Assistant Dean JD and Graduate Legal Studies in accordance with the admitted student’s approved offer at the time of admission or in accordance with an approved request for a change in status prior to registration. After registration, changes in registration status will be determined by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee or delegated to the Assistant Dean JD and Graduate Legal Studies.

Full-time Status in the JD Program or Combined JD Programs

Full-time students will be expected to register within 14 to 17 units of credit per term to preserve eligibility for merit-based awards. Permission must be obtained for a course over-load or course underload from the Assistant Dean JD and Graduate Legal Studies as delegate of the Academic Standing and Policies Committee. Difficult issues pertaining to course-load or registration status will be decided by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee.

Part-Time Status

Part-time students are expected to adhere to all the rules and regulations of the JD degree program in addition to the rules and procedures that pertain specifically to part-time status in the JD degree or combined JD program. Part-time students are expected to complete the JD program within six years. In exceptional circumstances, the Academic Standing and Policies Committee may waive this requirement. 

Part-time JD or combined JD students will be subject to the same grading policy and promotion requirements as full-time students.

Part-time JD or combined JD students must have completed the pre-requisite courses in order to obtain registration in certain upper-year courses. 

Part-time students may request a change in status to full-time prior to the commencement of any academic term and may thereafter return to part-time for any subsequent term or terms.

New incoming first–year part-time students are required to arrange their registrations in first-year courses with the Assistant Dean JD and Graduate Legal Studies. During the first year, part-time law students will be assigned to a small section and be expected to complete the legal skills and Legal Foundations Program.

In following years, part-time students are required to arrange their course registrations in the first-year courses required to complete the mandatory first-year curriculum with the Assistant Dean JD and Graduate Legal Studies. 

Academic Performance1

Probationary Status

Refer to “Academic Standing and Policies Committee Terms of Reference and Operating Procedures”.

Requirement to Withdraw

Refer to “Academic Standing and Policies Committee Terms of Reference and Operating Procedures”.

1

Approved March 11, 2011; amended November 20, 2015.

Academic Honours

Dean’s Honour List

Each academic year, JD degree program students whose grade point average (GPA) in Queen’s law courses places them within the top 10 per cent of their class in each of the three years of study will be named to the Dean’s Honour List.

Grade point averages are calculated after the end of each academic year for all law courses taken by JD degree program students during that academic year at Queen’s University and the preceding summer term in the International Law Summer Program at Queen’s International Study Centre.

Letter grades are converted to the four-point GPA scale, and the GPA for each student is then calculated after accounting for credit weights assigned to each course.

Consideration for the Dean’s Honour List in an academic year is subject to the following conditions:

  • Full-time students in first year must have completed all of the seven compulsory courses for a total of 36 credits. Full-time students in each of the upper years must have completed a minimum total of 14 credits per term and 28 credits for the academic year.
  • Part-time students in first year must have completed four of the seven compulsory courses for a minimum total of 20 credits. Part-time students in each of the upper years must have completed a minimum total of 7 credits per term and 14 credits for the academic year.
  • Students who attend another university on an exchange or a letter of permission for one term will be considered on the basis of their GPA for law courses completed during the term at Queen’s University.
  • Students who attend another university on an exchange or a letter of permission for an academic year will not be considered for that academic year.
  • Students registered in a combined degree program will be considered for the Dean’s Honour List on the basis of grades for Law courses obtained in their respective year.
  • Students who are granted paper or examination deferrals by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee will be added to the Dean’s Honour List after receipt of all their final grades if their GPA is greater than or equal to that of the student with the lowest GPA who was named to the Dean’s Honour List at the end of the academic year.
  • Students who are placed on the Dean’s Honour List will receive a notation on their transcripts.

Full-time students in first, second and third year who obtain the top three GPAs in their classes will be recognized with awards as follows:

  • Dean’s Gold Scholar Award: A plaque is awarded annually to the students obtaining the highest average in first, second and third year of the JD degree program.
  • Dean’s Silver Scholar Award: A plaque is awarded annually to the students obtaining the second highest average in first, second and third year of the JD degree program.
  • Dean’s Bronze Scholar Award: A plaque is awarded annually to the students obtaining the third highest average in first, second and third year of the JD degree program.

Any tie in students’ GPAs for a Dean’s Scholar Award at the end of the academic year will be dealt with by the Faculty’s Awards Committee at its discretion. Students who are granted paper or examination deferrals by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee will be awarded a Dean’s Scholar Award after receipt of all their final grades if their GPA is equal to that of the student who received that Dean’s Scholar Award at the end of the academic year.

Medal List

Each year, the graduating students obtaining the top three cumulative GPAs will be awarded medals as follows:

  1. Medal in Law: Awarded to the candidate graduating with the highest cumulative average in the JD program.
  2. Medal in Law-Second Highest Standing: Awarded to the candidate graduating with the second- highest cumulative average in the JD program.
  3. Medal in Law-Third Highest Standing: Awarded to the candidate graduating with the third-highest cumulative average in the JD program in the Faculty of Law.

In addition to the conditions for the Dean’s Honour List, to be considered for a graduation medal, students must have completed 36 first year credits and a minimum of 42 upper year credits in law courses at Queen’s University.

Students who will not be graduating until the Fall Convocation in any year will be considered for medals awarded for the subsequent academic year in competition with students graduating in the Summer Convocation of that year.

Note: GPA calculations are used for the purposes of determining students named to the Dean’s Honour List, and recipients of the Dean’s Scholar Awards and medals only. Queen’s Faculty of Law does not otherwise rank its students.

Experiential Learning Policy

During their upper year studies, JD students are required to successfully complete at least three credits in courses designated as Practice Skills courses and at least three credits in courses that satisfy the Advocacy requirement. The original policy setting out practice skills requirements for students was established by Faculty Board on 5 March 1998. Since the adoption of this policy, Queen’s Law has seen a significant increase in the number and types of practice skills and other learning opportunities that fall outside of the traditional lecture/seminar framework for legal education. In response to the growing interest and demand for experiential learning, Faculty Board modified the original policy on 25 March 2022, setting out limits for experiential learning as reflected in the matrix below. This policy is reviewed by the Associate Dean (Academic) and Assistant Dean JD and Graduate Legal Studies on an annual basis.

International Law Programs

The International Law Program (ILP) in International Business Law (IBL) and Public International Law (PIL) are offered each May and June by the Queen’s University Faculty of Law. 

Admissions
  • The ILP are open to students in good standing who have completed at least one year in a JD, LLB or equivalent law program at an accredited Canadian or American university or a university with which Queen's is an exchange partner. Other applicants with a suitable academic or professional background in a related area may be admitted at the discretion of the Academic Director. 
  • Applicants must provide a transcript showing results in any completed law school courses. Applicants, depending on their circumstances, may also be asked to provide other transcripts, a letter of permission, academic references, and/or proof of fluency in English. 
Enrolment

Courses in the IBL program:

  • Law 673 Introduction to International Business Law (3 credits)
  • Law 454 International Economic Law (3 credits)
  • Law 666 International Commercial Law (3 credits)

Courses in the PIL program:

  • Law 670 Introduction to International Law and Institutions (3 credits)
  • Law 664 The Law of Armed Conflict and International Crimes (3 credits)
  • Law 665 International Protection of Human Rights and Refugees (3 credits)

Students must enroll in all three of the IBL or PIL courses in a single year except with permission of the Academic Director and may not take in a single year a combination of courses from the two programs.

Law 670 and Law 673 are taken in the first two weeks of the ILP, and portions of those courses may be taught jointly. 

Law 673 is a prerequisite for Law 454 and Law 666 and Law 670 is a prerequisite for Law 664 and Law 665, except with permission of the Academic Director. There are no other prerequisites for the ILP courses.

Students may enroll in any of the ILP courses after taking any upper-year JD courses at Queen’s and may take any JD courses at Queen’s after completing any of the ILP courses. 

Students who have completed the IBL or PIL program may apply to enroll in the other program in a subsequent year, except that students may only receive credit for both Law 670 and Law 673 with permission of the Academic Director. 

Academic Credit

Queen’s JD students must complete a minimum of 59 upper-year credits, and usually do so with 14-17 credits in each of four terms. Students may not use ILP credits to reduce to part-time status but may seek permission from the Faculty to take 12 or 13 credits as a full-time load in 1 or more upper-year terms. Students enrolled in fewer than 14 credits are ineligible for certain honours and awards.

Grading Policies and Accommodations

Faculty of Law academic policies, including those with respect to anonymous grading, the grading system, mandatory grading, and course prizes, apply with any necessary modifications to the ILP. 

The Faculty of Law’s Academic Standing and Policies Committee determines issues in the ILP such as accommodations, late course drops, examination deferrals, and special or supplemental examination privileges.

Extensions for the submission of written coursework during the period of the ILP may be granted by an instructor after consultation with the Academic Director. Longer extension requests must be referred to the Academic Standing and Policies Committee. 

Certificates of Completion

Students who successfully complete all courses in the IBL or PIL program are awarded a Certificate of Completion. The certificates of the students with the three highest averages in each of the programs each year will indicate that the students completed their program "With Merit".

Letters of Permission

Domestic Letter of Permission

A limited number of students are permitted to study at another law school in Canada for one term or academic year in their second or third year of law. A Queen's JD student may apply for a letter of permission to study at another Canadian law faculty subject to the condition that the student has or will complete first-year law together with a minimum of 28 upper-year credits in residence at Queen's Faculty of Law. Personal and academic factors provided by the applicant are weighed in determining whether they will be granted a letter of permission. The student granted a letter of permission must ensure that they complete all other Queen's JD degree requirements. A letter of permission from Queen's Faculty of Law serves as official recognition that upon conditions set forth in the letter, courses successfully completed in the specified Canadian law school will be accepted for credit towards the Queen's JD degree. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the Mandatory Course Requirement (LAW-225 Civil Procedure), the Practice Skills Requirement and the Advocacy Requirement at Queen's. Any student wishing to complete a degree requirement while on a letter of permission must seek the approval of the Assistant Dean JD and Graduate Legal Studies.

International Letter of Permission

Law students may apply to the Academic Standing and Policies Committee for a Letter of Permission for International Study to study for one term at a law school with which Queen's Law does not have an official exchange agreement. A letter of permission from Queen's Faculty of Law serves as official recognition that upon conditions set forth in the letter, courses successfully completed in the specified Canadian law school will be accepted for credit towards the Queen's JD degree. The student must satisfy the Faculty of Law's Residency Requirement: a minimum of 28 upper-year credits must be taken in residence at Queen's Law. The student must complete the Substantial Term Paper and the Practice Skills and Advocacy Requirements and the course in Civil Procedure at Queen's Law.

Registration in Courses at Queen's Outside the Faculty of Law

In recognition of the nexus between law and other disciplines, especially the social sciences, the Faculty of Law may allow upper-year students to enroll for credit in final-year honours and graduate courses in other non-law Faculties. Students may normally enroll in outside courses for a maximum total of 12 credits in their upper years of law studies as long as such courses are taken as part of a registered JD term. The amount of credit for each course will be determined by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee. In order to enroll in an outside course, interested students should first seek the permission of the instructor concerned, and then apply to the Academic Standing and Policies Committee for permission to take the course. In considering such applications, the Committee may take into account among other things, i) whether the course is likely to improve the student's legal education, and ii) whether the course overlaps excessively with work which the student has done previously. No credit will be given for courses offered by other non-law Faculties taken in summer and summer terms.

Faculty of Law Commitment to Equality

The Faculty of Law recognizes the right of all persons to equality and the fact that the fundamental principles of equality are not well enough served by a legal community which remains disproportionately male and white. The Faculty has demonstrated a commitment to ameliorating the historic and current inequalities between women and men. It has also demonstrated a similar commitment to rectifying the inequities faced by various minorities in our society, particularly visible minorities. The members of the Faculty of Law will continue to expand their efforts in this direction, and in particular employ the following measures: 

1. Materials Used in the Law Faculty

a) Casebooks and Materials Produced by Faculty Members - efforts will be made to ensure that all materials and manuals produced by faculty members are written so that female and male pronouns appear alternatively or conjointly, so that members of minority groups are included and so that the materials reflect a sensitivity to issues affecting women and members of minority groups. In no event is a gender or minority group to be needlessly portrayed in stereotypical, pejorative or derogatory terms. 

b) Published Materials - The guidelines set out above should be followed when faculty members select externally published materials. When the materials are perceived by the instructor to omit significant legal issues relevant to the historic or current unequal treatment accorded to women and members of minority groups, or to inadequately represent them or their interests, the instructor should endeavour to compensate for such omissions or inadequacies in his or her discussion and presentation of the published materials or through the use of supplementary materials. Efforts to this end might include: 

i. classroom discussion of any perceived omissions in or inadequacies of the materials; ii. circulation and discussion of supplementary materials that, for example, describe the legal history underlying any discriminatory aspects of the law, analyze any discriminatory aspects of the law, and/or include proposals for reform of discriminatory aspects of the law;

ii. assignment of topics for independent or group research that encourage students to supplement perceived gaps in the materials through undertaking original research on issues such as those described above;

iii. use of guest speakers from within the student body, the Faculty, the University, the local community and elsewhere to facilitate and promote discussion of topics related to equality that are not addressed in the materials; and

iv. encouragement of students to point out any further perceived omissions in or inadequacies of the materials.

2. Language in the Classroom, in Assignments and in Examinations

Where possible and appropriate, language in the classroom, in assignments, in moot problems and in examinations should be such that women and men appear in roles alternatively or conjointly and members of minority groups are included. In no event is a gender or minority group to be needlessly portrayed in stereotypical, pejorative or derogatory terms. 3. General Awareness

3. General Awareness

Faculty members should be conscious of and encourage any student effort to develop thoughts and theories concerning the relationship between discrimination and the law

Academic Standing & Policies Committee

Academic Issues

Academic Standing and Policies Committee (ASPC) Terms of Reference and Operating Procedures

The Academic Standing and Policies Committee (ASPC) has a dual role. Most of its work is deals with issues of academic standing and progress of individual students, and problems with academic work, including: 

  • Student issues and requests that affect academic performance and standing;
  • academic standing generally at term and year end; and
  • making decisions on supplemental and special assessments and exams in accordance with the policies of the Faculty.

The APSC also considers and makes recommendations on policies concerning academic standing, usually on referral from Faculty Board. 

Composition of ASPC for Individual Academic Standing

The ASPC consists of five persons; three faculty members (one of whom shall be Chair); the Assistant Dean JD and Graduate Legal Studies (Assistant Dean); the Equity and Academic Success Coordinator (Coordinator). The Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Equity, Diversity (Director IIEDI) and Inclusivity, is an ad hoc member of the Committee who can be called upon by the Chair to provide consultation and recommendations as required. Only faculty members are voting members of the ASPC. 

Faculty members for the ASPC are appointed by Faculty Board at the March meeting each year. The term of Faculty members is from 1 July -30 June. The Associate Dean (Academic), Associate Dean (Graduate Programs), and Associate Dean (Faculty) may not be members of the ASPC.

The Chairperson shall be a Faculty member with the rank of full professor. 

The Assistant Dean, and the Coordinator are ex officio members of the ASPC. They do not vote on issues of academic standing.

The Director IIEDI is an ad hoc member of the committee. The Director does not vote on any matters.

The ASPC is the principal body charged with determining issues of Academic Standing for JD students at the Faculty of Law.
The ASPC deals with the following:

  • Requests for special examination privileges where performance on an exam was affected adversely by documented medical or compassionate grounds; 
  • Requests for supplemental examination privileges for a course in which the student has failed the course; 
  • Course failures; 
  • Placing students on Academic Probation;
  • Requirements for students to withdraw on the basis of academic performance; 
  • Lifting Academic Probation; 
  • Requests for reinstatement from students who have been required to withdraw;
  • Requests for extensions for the late submission of coursework; 
  • Requests for deferral of exams;
  • Requests for late add or late drop of courses after the designated period has expired; 
  • Requests to change status from part-time to full-time or from full-time to part-time; 
  • Requests to take a course overload in a term; 
  • Requests for approval of an international study abroad program on a letter of permission when transfer credits are sought to the Queen's JD degree; 
  • Requests for language-based examination accommodations (exchange students only); and/or
  • Requests for the review of decisions made by the Assistant Dean under this policy.

In addition to the items listed above, the ASPC may deal with any other matter involving academic standing. It does not deal with issues of Academic Integrity.

Confidentiality

The ASPC regularly deals with private personal information of students that requires absolute confidentiality. To that end, the proceedings of meetings, matters discussed, and identity of students shall not be discussed with persons who are not either subject to or part of the ASPC proceedings. Individual faculty members will be informed about decisions affecting students in their courses and, if necessary to accommodate students, may be given an explanation of the reasons for a decision regarding an individual student in their class, in which case the faculty member will keep this information confidential.

Role of the ASPC Chairperson

The Chairperson (or delegate) shall preside over all meetings of the ASPC. In cases that include sanctions of placing students on Academic Probation or the requirement for a student to withdraw on the basis of academic performance, the Chairperson will provide the student with a written decision that outlines the sanction and the conditions for lifting of such sanction(s).

Role of the Assistant Dean

The role of the Assistant Dean is to act as an advisor to the Committee. As such the Assistant Dean will be expected to brief the committee on the issues in question, provide background information, and make recommendations.

The Assistant Dean has been delegated authority by the ASPC to deal with the following matters:

  • Requests for extensions for the late submission of coursework until the end of the examination period; 
  • Requests for deferral of exams until the designated deferral dates for each term;
  • Requests for late add or late drop of courses after the designated period has expired, but prior to the end of classes;
  • Requests to change status from part-time to full-time or from full-time to part-time; 
  • Requests to take a course overload or underload in a term; 
  • Requests for approval of an international study abroad program on a letter of permission when transfer credits are sought to the Queen's JD degree; and
  • Requests for language-based examination accommodations (exchange students only).
  • Requests to take second-year mandatory courses during third year. 

In cases where the Assistant Dean determines it would not be appropriate to exercise the delegated powers outlined above, they shall refer the matter to the full the ASPC for consideration.

A student who is dissatisfied with a decision made by the Assistant Dean about one of the matters listed above may ask the ASPC to review that decision.

The Assistant Dean’s delegated powers do not include the authority to deal with:

  • Requests for extensions for the late submission of coursework beyond the end of the examination period for a term; or
  • Requests for deferral of exams beyond the designated deferral dates for a term.
  • Requests for late drops without penalty after the academic term during which the course was taken.

Role Of the Coordinator

The Equity and Academic Success Coordinator is the administrator for the ASPC. The Coordinator schedules meetings, provides background information on files, and maintains a confidential database of the ASPC decisions. The Coordinator is the primary contact between the ASPC and Queen’s University Student Wellness Services.

Proceedings

Matters are brought before the ASPC either by student-initiated requests or by the Chair;

  • Student Requests: A student may ask the ASPC to consider a matter by sending a written request to the Coordinator. law.accommodations@queensu.ca.
  • The ASPC Initiated Matters: Upon receiving from the Assistant Dean or Coordinator about student difficulties, the Chairperson shall initiate proceedings for the following matters:
    • Course failures;
    • Placing students on Academic Probation;
    • Requirements for students to withdraw on the basis of academic performance;
    • Lifting Academic Probation; and,
    • Situations involving academic standing when a student is unable to make a request for the ASPC to deal with a matter.

Quorum

For matters dealing with the following issues, the quorum is three voting members plus either the Assistant Dean or the Coordinator:

  • Course failures;
  • Placing students on Academic Probation;
  • Requirements for students to withdraw on the basis of academic performance;
  • Lifting Academic Probation;

For all other matters dealt with by the Committee, a quorum is two voting members and either the Assistant Dean or the Coordinator.

Academic Standing

Failure to achieve a grade point average of 2.0 at the end of any term will result in academic probation for the following term of registration and may result in conditions on progression in the program, including a requirement to withdraw. Conditions of academic probation will be set by the Academic Standing and Policies Committee.

Any student who is on academic probation is not eligible for exchange, letters of permission or overloads for the duration of the period on probation.

Academic Probation 

A student shall be placed on academic probation in the following situations:

  • Where the student fails to achieve a grade point average of 2.0 at the end of any term; 
  • Where the student has been permitted to re-commence studies after having been required to withdraw.

Any student who is on academic probation is not eligible to participate in the International Exchange program, may not attend another law school on a Letter of Permission, and cannot be permitted to take more than 17 credits in a term.

Additional conditions of academic probation may be set by the Committee. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to:

  • a requirement to re-take a course;
  • a requirement to report to the Coordinator on a set schedule or as requested;
  • a requirement to take a reduced course-load;
  • a requirement to withdraw.

Requirement to Withdraw

A student who fails more than one course or fails to achieve a grade point average of 2.0 over two consecutive terms may be required to withdraw for either a term or an academic year.

At the expiry of the period of withdrawal, application for reinstatement must be made to the Academic Standing and Policies Committee. A student who has been permitted to return to studies after having been required to withdraw shall be placed on academic probation.

Appeal

If a student is not satisfied with a decision of the Academic Standing and Policies Committee, the student may appeal to Faculty Board. Student members of the Board will not be involved in the appeal.

The student is advised to initially seek an interview with the Assistant Dean, the Chairperson, or the Associate Dean (Academic) to attempt an informal resolution. If the student does not wish to seek such an interview or is not satisfied with the result of such an interview, the student may appeal to Faculty Board. The appeal should be submitted in writing to the Chair of Faculty Board within three weeks of receiving the decision of the ASPC. The Chair of Faculty Board shall advise the student to consult a Faculty Advisor and of the right to seek other counsel.

Prior to the hearing of the appeal, the Chair of the ASPC shall provide to the Chair of Faculty Board a written document that includes information on the nature of the initial request by the student, supporting documentation submitted by the student, any other material used by the Committee in reaching its decision, and the reasons for the decision. The Chair of Faculty Board will provide a copy of this document to the student and to the student's Advisor or counsel. The Chair of the ASPC and the student or the student's Advisor or counsel may meet informally to reach a negotiated resolution.

At the hearing of the appeal, the Chair of Faculty Board may request that the Chair of the ASPC outline for Faculty Board the nature of the initial request by the student, the supporting documentation submitted by the student, any other material used by the Committee in reaching its decision, and the reasons for the decision, and respond to questions. The Chair of Faculty Board may request the student's Advisor or counsel to present the appeal of the student. The Chair of Faculty Board shall grant permission to the student to appear in person before Faculty Board on the appeal where the student requests such permission.

After the presentation of the appeal and prior to the deliberations of Faculty Board, all members of the ASPC, the student and the student's Advisor or counsel shall withdraw. No member of the ASPC shall participate in the deliberations of Faculty Board or vote. If the Associate Dean has been involved in informal attempts at negotiation or mediation, he or she should not participate in the deliberations of Faculty Board or vote.

Student appeals from decisions of the ASPC are to be de novo hearings, with the Board having the discretion to substitute its judgment for that of the committee. The decision of Faculty Board shall be final, except that any matters not pertaining to the academic substance of the decision of Faculty Board may be appealed to the University Student Appeal Board.

Responsibilities of ASPC on Policy Issues

Normally, the ASPC does policy work on referral from Faculty Board, consulting and reporting back to the Board on matters referred for consideration.

The ASPC does not have jurisdiction to review or amend existing policies that have been approved by the Dean or Faculty Board.

All elected members of the ASPC have the right to participate in and vote on matter of Academic Policy. A quorum on matters of Academic Policy shall be three voting members, at least one of whom must be a student.

Student members of the ASPC are not permitted to participate or vote on matters involving academic standing of students. Student members may initiate and fully participate in matters involving academic policy.