Integrated Admission Pathway Student Policies

The University of Guelph is committed to the highest standards of pedagogy; the education and well-being of the whole person; meeting the needs of all learners in a purposefully diverse community; the pursuit of its articulated learning objectives; rigorous self-assessment; and curriculum that fosters creativity, skill development, critical inquiry, and active learning. The University of Guelph educates students for life and work in a rapidly changing world.

For more information, please read the full University of Guelph Mission Statement. 

Truth: The University of Guelph's core value is the pursuit of truth. It is animated by a spirit of free and open enquiry, collaboration, and mutual respect. It asserts the fundamental equality of all human beings and is committed to creating for all members of its community, an environment that is hospitable, safe, supportive, equitable, pleasurable, and above all, intellectually challenging.

Diversity: Students have a responsibility to help create and uphold an environment that respects the diversity and differences of members of our campus, and allows all members to be treated with dignity, worth and respect.

Integrity: Students have a responsibility to help maintain the integrity of the University as a community for learning, such as abiding by all Canadian laws, including: 1. To not possess illegal drugs and paraphernalia; 2. To not possess alcohol under the age of 19; and, 3. To not smoke inside any University building, or within nine metres of any building entrance or exit.

Learning: Students have a responsibility to help support community members' access to the tools they need to engage in their learning and development, both in and outside of the classroom; for example, to not interfere with the normal functioning of the University, nor to intimidate, interfere with, threaten or otherwise obstruct any activity organized by the University, including classes.

Safety: Students have a responsibility to support an environment that enables students to be safe and free from harm. An example of this type of responsibility is the requirement to abide by the following:

• Harassment - to treat all members of the University community with respect and without harassment. Harassment is defined as any attention or conduct (oral, written, virtual, graphic or physical) by an individual or group who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that such attention or conduct is unwelcome/unwanted, offensive or intimidating.
• Sexual assault - to not assault any person sexually or threaten any person with sexual assault.
• Bodily harm - to not engage in activities that are likely to endanger the health or safety of yourself or another person, or to assault or threaten to assault another person or to knowingly cause another person to fear bodily harm.
• Firearms and other weapons - to not bring onto campus any firearms or weapons. Examples include but are not limited to: BB guns, slingshots, paintball guns, firecrackers, gunpowder or any other forms of unauthorized hazardous materials. Students are not allowed to use any objects to injure, threaten or intimidate a person.
• Fire and life safety equipment - to not tamper or interfere with, discharge or activate any life safety or fire equipment on campus unless for the purposes of responding to an emergency.

For more information, please read the University of Guelph's Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct.

At the beginning of each term, you will receive course outlines that set out the number and type of assignments in each course. Assignment due dates and penalties for late assignments will be communicated by the instructor in the course outline. In the event that you are unable to meet an assignment deadline, you should discuss your situation with your instructor immediately and in advance of the due date. Procedures for submission of assignments will also be communicated by the instructor. The instructor cannot grant extensions beyond the last day of regular classes.

Throughout each semester, you will be assessed using a combination of diagnostic, formative and summative evaluation techniques, such as quizzes, presentations, worksheets and assignments. This process allows the instructor to gauge your progress, determine areas where further practice is required, and guide the direction of course content. At the end of each semester, you will write final exams.

• A+ = 90-100%
• A = 85-89%
• A- = 80-84%
• B+ = 77-79%
• B = 73-76%
• B- = 70-72%
• C+ = 67-69%
• C = 63-66%
• C- = 60-62%
• D+ = 57-59%
• D = 53-56%
• D- = 50-52%
• F = 0-49%

You can access your final grades approximately six days after the final day of the exam period by logging in to the OpenEd Student Portal. If you require an official transcript, please complete a Transcript Request Form.

Grades are not official until they are communicated to you by the University of Guelph. Grades will not be communicated to you by phone, fax or email. 

You are required to attend class. When you attend class, you gain the full advantage of your tuition. Your attendance status will be assessed in accordance with the following chart:

Hours of Class Missed in a Semester

10% or more: Warning

• You must meet with the Open Learning program Counsellor, or other designated program staff

33% or more: Required to Withdraw

• Your registration in the program will be cancelled without refund
• You will not receive a final report or certificate
• You may not attend classes or activities
• Canadian Immigration will be notified of your withdrawal
• Your library card and athletic membership will be cancelled
• You will not receive a bus pass
• You may not use the services of the Student Health Centre
• If you have a scholarship, your sponsor will be notified
• Your medical insurance will not be cancelled 

If you are absent for an extended period (three or more days), due to illness or other circumstances, you must inform the English Language Programs office by email during the period of your absence.

When you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to find out from your instructor what material, quizzes or assignments you have missed. You are responsible for making arrangements on how missed work will be handled.

If you feel your situation requires special consideration, please refer to the Assignment/Exam Grade Appeals section below.

If you have concerns regarding your grades, discuss your concerns with your instructor. If you and your instructor come to a satisfactory agreement, the grade will be revised or will hold, according to your resolution.

If the issue is not resolved, submit the original assignment/exam and reasons for appeal in writing to the English Language Programs Academic Coordinator. The English Language Programs Academic Coordinator will review materials submitted and re-evaluate the assignment/exam. Results of the review will then be communicated to you.

Please note that you must make your appeal in writing within five business days after the end of a term. 

The University of Guelph will consider granting academic consideration for courses if there are sufficient extenuating medical, psychological or compassionate reasons. Academic consideration may take the form of an extended deadline, a deferred privilege, a late drop of a course(s) with or without failure, withdrawal from a term with or without failure, or permission to continue on probationary status. A deferred privilege could take the form of approval to write a missed final examination or the completion of a course requirement after the end of the term.

If you require academic consideration before the final class day of a course:

• Contact the course instructor prior to the assignment due date

If you require academic consideration beyond the final class day of a course:

• Notify the English Language Programs Academic Coordinator immediately
• Draft a letter that states your request and outlines the medical, psychological or compassionate grounds for your request
• Obtain documentation supporting your request
• Submit this package to the academic assistant to the executive director, Open Learning and Educational Support within five working days of the missed examination/course work deadline

The Academic Review Committee will review your request and you will be advised of the outcome. If you have any questions about academic consideration, please contact the academic assistant to the executive director. 

The University acknowledges the pluralistic nature of the community. Accommodation will be made to students who experience a conflict between a religious obligation and scheduled tests, mid-term examinations, final examinations, or requirements to attend classes and participate in laboratories. The type of accommodation granted will vary depending on the nature, weight and timing of the work for which accommodation is sought. Accordingly, the request for alternative arrangements normally must be submitted to the instructor in charge of the course within one week of the distribution of the course outline.

You may submit your accommodation request directly to your instructor. Your instructor has a responsibility to provide reasonable alternative arrangements that do not put you at an academic disadvantage. In the event that you are not satisfied with the accommodation offered by your instructor, you may appeal to the English Language Programs Academic Coordinator who may grant alternative accommodation.

In the case of a conflict with a final examination, you should consult with the English Language Programs Academic Coordinator to arrange to reschedule the examination. Care will be taken that the new date and time do not put you at an academic disadvantage.

Please note that a list of the Major Holy Days may be found on the University of Guelph's Diversity and Human Rights (DHR) website. 

Academic misconduct is behavior that erodes the basis of mutual trust on which scholarly exchanges occur, undermines the University's exercise of its responsibility to evaluate students' academic achievement or restricts the University's ability to accomplish its learning objectives (University of Guelph Undergraduate Calendar, section 8).

The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and requires all members of the University community to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring.

Policies, procedures and penalties regarding academic misconduct apply to all students in Open Learning and Educational Support-sponsored courses, as they do to all University students.

As a University of Guelph student, it is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic misconduct and to abide by the University of Guelph policy on student academic misconduct, regardless of your location or program of study.

Academic misconduct is broadly understood to mean offences against the academic integrity of the learning environment. Offences include, but are not limited to:

• Misappropriation of others' work
• Plagiarism (i.e., misrepresenting the work of other as one's own, without appropriate use of referencing)
• Copying another person's answers to an exam question or assignment
• Submitting the same assignment for credit on more than one occasion without prior written permission from the instructor
• Unauthorized cooperation or collaboration (i.e., working on individual assignments in a group and submitting collaborative work as one's own)
• Misrepresentation and fraud: impersonation of one's self for the purposes of writing an exam or submitting an assignment
• Submitting false, fraudulent or purchased assignments or medical documentation
• Use of unauthorized aids or assistance in the completion of exams or assignments

Specific requirements for coursework and evaluation will be described in your course outline, distributed at the first class meeting. It is your responsibility to understand and meet these requirements. Discuss any questions you have with your instructor in advance of completing assignments or exams.

Procedure for Suspected Academic Misconduct

Should an instructor suspect an incident of academic misconduct, he/she will retain possession of the suspect material and bring the suspected offence to the attention of the English Language Programs Academic Coordinator. The student will be notified by the Academic Coordinator that a suspicion of academic misconduct is being investigated. If an academic misconduct offence is suspected to have been committed, the English Language Programs Academic Coordinator will bring the suspected offence, including all evidence and documentation, to the attention of the Director, Open Learning and Educational Support. In the event that academic misconduct is confirmed, the director will meet with the student and assess an appropriate penalty, according to the University's guidelines, and will inform the student. Should the student appeal the decision, appeals will be heard by the Senate Committee on Student Petitions.

As per University regulations, you are required to check your mail.uoguelph.ca email account regularly.

Email is the official route of communication between the University and its students. 

The University of Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free environment. Providing services for students is a shared responsibility among students, faculty and administrators. This relationship is based on the respect of individual rights, the dignity of the individual and the University community's shared commitment to an open and supportive learning environment.

If you require special service or academic accommodation, whether due to an identified ongoing or short-term disability, please contact the academic assistant to the executive director. Please ensure that you contact us before the end of the first week of your course (every semester) in order to avoid any delays in support. Documentation from a health professional is required for all academic accommodations. Please note that all information provided will be held in confidence.

If you require textbooks produced in an alternate format (e.g., DAISY, Braille, large print or eText), please contact the academic assistant to the executive director as soon as possible at the beginning of the term. If contact is not made within the suggested time frame, support may be delayed. It is recommended that you refer to the course outline before beginning your course in order to determine the required readings.

A request to withdraw from the program must be made in writing by completing a drop form at the English Language Programs office. You will have until the last day of classes to drop courses without academic penalty. This means that the course and grade will not show on your transcript.

If you complete the drop request after the last day of classes, the course and the grade you have earned up to your drop date will show on the academic transcript. If you withdraw from the program, you will lose your conditional offer of acceptance and will need to re-apply to the University.

Open Learning and Educational Support at the University of Guelph is committed to providing high-quality academic English language instruction to its students. We take student problems and complaints very seriously. At all times, we encourage students to provide feedback on the program, instructors and administrative systems.

How to solve a problem or concern:

1. Write out your concern in a step-by-step format.
2. Email or bring your written concern to the person.
3. Make an appointment to speak with the person. It is not always possible to see a person without making an appointment.
4. Explain your concern slowly and clearly.
5. You will find that people want to help you to resolve the problem. It is helpful if you can explain the whole problem, not just one small part of it, which will help to determine the best solution possible.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning opportunities are an important component of language development and, therefore, the Integrated Admission Pathway will provide opportunities for you to engage in similar experiential learning activities. Volunteer opportunities will be made available to you so that you can take part in University events or local events that take place within the broader community; for example, you will be able to engage in community volunteer activities such as planting trees (~20 students), supporting the activities of the Donkey Sanctuary (~10 students), as well as assisting at the Multicultural Festival (~50 students). As a result, you will develop your language skills and your understanding of Canadian culture through a variety of experiential learning opportunities.

You will also take an active part in field trips and activities that will allow for the application of language in a variety of professional, cultural and social settings, such as trips to Toronto, Niagara Falls, and other local areas of interest.

There may be opportunities for you in the pathway program to mentor new ELP students (e.g., at lower levels). If you engage actively in experiential learning activities, you will receive recognition for your contribution.

Visit our Facebook page to stay connected to what is happening with ELP activities, and with your fellow students.

At certain times of the year, we organize a variety of extracurricular activities such as trips to Niagara Falls, skiing and snowboarding, Toronto shopping trips, and volunteer opportunities. As well, there are local campus-based activities, such as soccer and karaoke.

To ensure that you are supported throughout your pathway experiences, you will have access to Supported Learning Groups (SLGs) that will provide discipline-specific support. This will help familiarize you with the learning services available to you (e.g., Writing Services) as you progress in your academic studies.

During your first semester, you will be in a sheltered ENGL*1030 course, and you will be provided with a Writing Support Group.

In your second semester, you will be encouraged to attend SLG meetings that are offered on campus for undergraduate students.

We will do our best to provide you with as much support as possible. We may reach out to your professor(s) on a regular basis to check in on how you are doing throughout the program.

In their first two semesters, some pathway students will live in English Learning House, a supported on-campus living environment that provides students with an opportunity to develop connections with other undergraduate degree students, improve their social English language skills, and participate in campus activities.

English Learning House will strengthen your social and emotional connections and will provide a supportive environment in which you can focus on your academic goals without feeling isolated.

After the first two semesters in English Learning House, you may transition, in your third semester, to a homestay or choose independent living. 

You will receive a letter of guaranteed admission to a degree program, conditional upon completion of the Integrated Admission Pathway. You are required to meet all undergraduate admission requirements with the exception of the language proficiency score. Given that language development is a component of this pathway, you will be admitted with a TOEFL IBT 56 score or IELTS 5.5 score.

Successful completion of the Integrated Admission Pathway requires:

• Completion of English language courses with an overall average of 75% and no course average below 70%, which earns the Certificate of English Proficiency, meeting the University’s English proficiency requirements
• Successful completion of all credit courses with a minimum 60% cumulative grade 

All registered full-time students will be provided with a basic membership to the Athletic Centre. Your basic membership allows you to enter the Athletic Centre and participate in all drop-in recreation activities. This basic membership does not include access to the weight room or fitness classes. Access to the weight room and fitness classes cost an additional fee.

Visit the Athletic Centre website for more information.