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ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

Saint Paul University applies the same academic regulations as the University of Ottawa, and more specifically those of the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences when regulations differ from one faculty to the other, on occasion providing specifics that are detailed in each of the following sections.

For this purpose, it is understood that when reviewing the University of Ottawa regulations, "University of Ottawa" must be replaced by "Saint Paul University" and vice versa.

The Academic Regulations are set out below in three parts:

  • Part A sets out regulations that are applicable to all levels of studies.
  • Part B sets out regulations that are applicable to undergraduate studies.
  • Part C sets out regulations that are applicable to graduate studies.

 

PREAMBLE

Saint Paul University is a Catholic university canonically established by the Holy See and thus subject to Canon Law and all pertinent Church documents as implemented in Canada.

Saint Paul University is committed to supporting students in their efforts to achieve their goals in regards to academic success. To this end, the University ensures the quality and relevance of its academic programs and develops a support network of services to help students throughout their university experience.

For their part, students must assume certain responsibilities. More specifically:

  • Choose a program of study suited to their personal goals, select courses that will satisfy the requirements of their chosen program, and consult resource persons available to them in different academic units when needed.
  • Become familiar and comply with the important dates and deadlines of the  Sessional Dates calendar.
  • Become familiar and comply with university and faculty regulations and procedures. 
  • Regularly consult the different communication tools used by the University (such as websites, assigned e-mail address).
  • Conduct themselves in a manner that respects the rights of other members of the University community and that complies with the regulations of the University and its different constituents, as well as with the laws applicable in Canada.

New academic regulations and changes to existing regulations take effect on May 1 of each year. New courses and new programs or changes to existing courses and programs take effect on May 1 or September 1 of each year, at the discretion of the faculty involved

 

Part A: Joint Academic Regulations

Regulation A-1 - Bilingualism

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation A-2 - Courses

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa, except for section 2.3 which shall read as follows:

  • Course attendance is determined by faculty regulation, approved by the Senate. The faculty regulation must specify if a student’s attendance to his courses can be an element of evaluation and a condition of final exam participation. If so, this information must appear in the course syllabus.

In the Faculty of Canon Law, the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Human Sciences, with one exception below, course attendance (and, consequently, if it can be an element of evaluation and a condition of final exam participation) is left to the professor’s discretion.

For graduate programs at the School of Counselling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality, course attendance is mandatory, with permitted absences not exceeding 20% ​​of class hours.

Regulation A-3 - Grading System

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precisions:

  • In section 3.1, definitions have been added to the official evaluation scale for scores that affect the average:

 

Definition

Letter grade

Numeric value

Percentage value 

Exceptional

A+

10

90-100

Excellent

A

9

85-89

 

A-

8

80-84

Very Good

B+

7

75-79

 

B

6

70-74

Good

C+

5

65-69

 

C

4

60-64

Passable

D+

3

55-59

 

D

2

50-54

Failure

E

1

40-49

 

F

0

0-39

 

ABS

0

Absent

 

EIN

0

Failure/Incomplete

 

  • In section 3.6, for the symbol DFR (Deferred), when a student has not completed the course requirements for a valid reason approved by their faculty, the student will be required to complete the course requirements within a period not exceeding four months after the end of the term. If no marks have been received four months after the end of the course, the DFR symbol is replaced by the EIN symbol. 

Regulation A-4 - Academic Integrity and Academic Fraud

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precisions:

  • The online training presented in the "preamble" should be compulsory for all new students, not only for undergraduate students.
  • For undergraduate students only, the “Interpretation of Academic Regulations Committee” (see regulation A-10) replaces the “Senate Appeals Committee”.

Regulation A-5 - Religious Accommodations

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation A-6 – Academic Accommodations

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation A-7 – Record Retention

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa, with the following precision:

In section 7.1, the Registrar Services record is considered to be the student’s official record.

Regulation A-8 - Evaluation of Student Learning

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa, with the following precision:

In section 8.7, each student who obtains an «E» as a final grade for a course does not have the right to a supplemental exam in the Faculty of Canon Law, in the Faculty of Theology, in the Faculty of Philosophy and in the Faculty of Human Sciences.

Regulation A-9 – Revision of Grade and Appeal

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precisions:

  • The "chair of the academic unit" is the dean of the faculty.
  • The second stage of a grade review, that of the appeal should read: A student may appeal to the Interpretation of Academic Regulations Committee to contest decisions handed down after an initial grade review (see Regulation A-10).

Regulation A-10 – Appeal of Decision – Saint Paul University

For all academic matters, a student may appeal a decision to the Interpretation of Academic Regulations Committee (IARC).  However, the student must have exhausted all internal remedies prior to proceeding with an appeal.

A student who wishes to contest a decision must do so within ten business days by lodging his appeal in writing to the IARC president, position held by the secretary general of the University.  The appeal request must include:

  • a detailed letter explaining the situation, his or her motives for the appeal i.e. the reasons why the decision should be overturned or modified as well as the desired outcome;
  • a list of all internal parties or individuals that were consulted; professor, program director or dean or the staff with whom he or she met at the Registrar Services;
  • all other pertinent documents;
  • student’s contact information (student number, postal address, telephone number, e-mail address) in order to be able to contact him or her.

As soon as the appeal is received, a copy of all the documentation provided is sent to the faculty concerned. The faculty must provide its comments within fifteen working days.

Once the faculty's comments have been received, they are sent to the student who must respond within fifteen working days, after which the IARC will proceed with the appeal.

The president will then convene the IARC.  The student will then be invited to present his appeal and answer questions before the IARC.

In general, the IARC renders its decision within the same day of the hearing.  However, sometimes the committee may request additional information in order to make its decision.

The decision is communicated the following week via e-mail.

IARC decisions are final and without appeal.

The IARC is a committee of the Senate.     

 

Part B: Undergraduate Academic Regulations


Regulation B-1 - Categories and Status of Undergraduate Students

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precision:

  • In section 1.2, “Important Dates and Deadlines” are those of the Sessional Dates calendar.

Regulation B-2 - Program of Studies

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa, with the following addition to the category of offered programs (section 2.1) :

  • Ecclesiastical Bachelor:  Saint Paul University offers ecclesiastical degrees that meet the standards set by the Dicastery for Culture and Education.  

Regulation B-3 - Admission to a Program

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precision:

  • For a student to be admitted to a program, all of the program’s admission requirements must be met. The requirements and procedures for admission to a program of study can be found on the University’s website.

Regulation B-4 - Registration

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precision:

  • In section 4.1, “Important Dates and Deadlines” are those of the Sessional Dates calendar.

Regulation B-5 - General Policy on Unit Transfers

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation B-6 - Prior-Learning Recognition

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation B-7 - Academic Standing, Probation and Mandatory Withdrawal for Undergraduate Programs

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation B-8 - Conditions for Obtaining a Degree, Certificate or Diploma

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation B-9 - Distinctions

Governor General’s Silver Medal

This medal is awarded at the Spring Convocation.

The Silver Medal is awarded to  the student who achieves the highest academic standing upon graduation from a bachelor degree program or the equivalent, taking into account the following criteria: 

  • Graduating from a 4-year bachelor degree program.
  • Receiving his/her degree at the current year's Spring Convocation or received his/her degree at the previous Fall Convocation.
  • Highest cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in the courses required for the degree.

The Registrar Services manage the selection process.

In addition, Saint Paul University applies sections 9.4 and 9.5 of the University of Ottawa regulation.


Part C : Graduate Academic Regulations

 

Regulation C-1 - Categories and Status of Graduate Students

Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precisions:

  • In sections 1.1.2 and 1.1.3, a student wishing to enroll as a non-degree student or auditor must submit a request to the Registrar Services, which will seek the approval of the academic unit.
  • In section 1.1.3, “Important Dates and Deadlines” are those of the Sessional Dates calendar.
  • In section 1.2.3, a part-time student must be enrolled in less than six course units per term, unless otherwise approved by the Vice-Rector Academic and Research for specific programs.
  • In section 1.2.4, requests to transfer from full-time to part-time status must be submitted to the Vice-Rector Academic and Research for approval.

Regulation C-2 - Admission to Graduate Programs

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precisions:

  • The steps to apply are here.
  • In section 2.1.4, offers of admission are issued directly by the Registrar Services and it is the Vice-Rector Academic and Research who can hear appeals of decisions on the subject.

Regulation C-3 – Graduate Enrollment and Leaves of Absence

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precisions:

  • In section 3.1.1, “Important Dates and Deadlines” are those of the Sessional Dates calendar; procedures for registration are here.
  • In section 3.1.2, a student wishing to enroll in additional courses must submit a request to the Registrar Services, which will seek the approval of the academic unit.

Regulation C-4 – Academic Standing for Graduate Studies

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation C-5 – Graduate Research: Supervision, Ethics

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precision:

  • In section 5.4, the Vice-Rector Academic and Research may request approvals from other committees or authorities in the area of research ethics.

Regulation C-6 – Time Limits for Completion of Graduate Degrees and Diplomas Requirements

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation C-7 - Thesis

 Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa with the following precisions:

  • In section 7.6.1, all required approvals in research ethics and integrity must be submitted to Saint Paul University’s Research Ethics Board. For more information, contact the Office of Research and Ethics.
  • In section 7.6.6, if a thesis is suspected of not meeting the University’s ethics standards for research, the Vice-Rector Academic and Research must be notified and he will ensure the required follow-ups.
  • In section 7.8.3, when the student has signed a research contract with a confidentiality clause, the student and the thesis supervisor must contact the Office of Research and Ethics before the research begins.
  • In section 7.10.2.1.2, the Vice-Rector Academic and Research is notified of the employment status of a student who submits a thesis. The Vice-Rector then determines whether there is a conflict of interest.
  • In section 7.10.2.2.2, the Vice-Rector Academic and Research is notified of the employment status of a student who submits a thesis. The Vice-Rector then determines whether there is a conflict of interest.
  • In section 7.10.2.2.3, the external examiner is appointed by the Vice-Rector Academic and Research.
  • In section 7.10.2.2.4, the list of external examiners must be received by the Office of Admission, Registrar and Student Services (OARSS).
  • In section 7.10.2.4.4, the Vice-Rector Academic and Research may refuse an external examiner if he determines there is a possibility of a conflict of interest.
  • In section 7.15, the Vice-Rector Academic and Research may hear appeals.

Regulation C-8 – Major Research Paper

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa.

Regulation C-9 – Conditions for Obtaining a Graduate Degree or Diploma and Medals

Saint Paul University applies the regulation of the University of Ottawa, except for section 9.3 which should read as follows:

Governor General’s Gold Medal

One medal is awarded at the Spring Convocation.

The Gold Medal is awarded to  the student who achieves the highest level of academic excellence in a master's or doctoral degree program, taking into account the following criteria: 

  • Graduating from a master's or doctoral degree program.  The degree may be granted as part of a program with or without thesis.
  • Receiving his/her degree at the current year's Spring Convocation or received his/her degree at the previous Fall Convocation.
  • Has achieved the highest level of academic excellence.

The Registrar Services manage the selection process.