The Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) supports student success by making clear the requirements for academic progression, by providing a framework for early identification of at-risk students, and by ensuring such students are informed of their academic standing and are referred to appropriate support services established to enhance and assist the success of students. This Policy is intended to support student academic success by making clear JIBC’s expectations for students’ academic progress.
All active JIBC students are expected to maintain an acceptable standard of academic achievement in order to be permitted to continue their studies from term to term. Students are required to achieve the minimum course grade listed in the approved Course Outline or as outlined by the program area. Students are ultimately responsible for their learning and are expected to seek assistance when they feel they are not meeting course or program requirements.
This Policy provides a framework for managing student progress, provides procedures for identification of unsatisfactory student academic standing and/or progress in programs within the scope of this Policy, and identifies institutional interventions and supports for at-risk students. It makes clear the consequences of continued unsatisfactory academic standing or progress at JIBC.
This Policy and the accompanying Procedure 3301-001 apply to all JIBC students, whether declared in a program or not, except the following:
- Students in JIBC contract training where academic progression is determined by the employer; and
- Students in programs for which a variance to academic progression has been approved by Program Council.
Academic Standing – Academic standing is a student’s status based on academic performance.
At-Risk Student – An at-risk student is one who does not meet the criteria for good academic standing as outlined in Procedure 3301-001.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) – The CGPA is the grade point average (GPA) calculated for all JIBC credit courses in which the student has enrolled and has been assigned a final course letter or percentage grade, including individual courses and those taken as part of certificate, diploma and/or degree programs.
Dean – The administrative head of a JIBC School.
Director/Program Director – The administrative head of a JIBC program area.
Grade Point Average (GPA) – The GPA is a number representing the average value of the accumulated final grades earned in courses over time. The GPA is calculated by multiplying the grade points associated with the letter or percentage grade assigned for a course by the number of credits assigned to that course, adding those values for all courses taken, and dividing the result by the total number of courses taken. The GPA can be calculated for all courses taken (i.e. cumulative), for a specified time period (e.g. term or year) or for a specified body of courses (e.g. program, level, or subject). Withdrawals from courses are not included in the calculations. For repeated courses, only the highest grade achieved is used in the calculations.
Program Grade Point Average (PGPA) – The PGPA is the GPA calculated for all courses in a specific program. NOTE: Different programs may have different PGPA requirements to maintain satisfactory academic standing.
Term Grade Point Average (TGPA) – The TGPA is the GPA calculated for all courses taken in a specific term. The TGPA includes individual courses and those taken as part of a program.
Procedures
The procedures for student academic standings and progression as they relate to this Policy are set out in Procedure 3301-001.
Student Awareness
Students are required to make themselves aware of all JIBC policies and procedures. Lack of awareness of this or any other JIBC policy does not excuse a student from responsibility for their actions.