10. Tests, examinations and graded assignments

You're responsible for writing and submitting tests, examinations, and graded assignments at the time they are scheduled, regardless of program/ course delivery. You should be aware of all scheduled tests, examinations and graded assignments and ensure that you don't have any conflicts during this time. Georgian operates within the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone if outside of this time zone you must ensure you account for this. The final week of each term may be used for final examinations, tests, or graded assignments. You're advised not to make any travel plans or other personal arrangements during this time.

10.1 Academic accommodations

There may be circumstances that prevent you from being able to write a test, examination or submit a graded assignment on a pre-scheduled date.

In all cases, if you encounter a conflict, you must contact the faculty member in charge of your course to request academic accommodation. You must make every effort to do this as soon as the conflict is identified and well in advance of the scheduled test, examination, or graded assignment. In the case of a sudden emergency arising preventing, you from doing this in advance, you must contact the faculty member as soon as you're able.

10.1.1 Academic integrity

If you request academic accommodations for missed tests, examinations, graded assignments, or work-integrated learning more than once per course or multiple times in a semester, it may warrant discussions with the faculty to ensure academic integrity is maintained (Section 8.1.4 Acting with academic integrity).

Additional discussions may occur around academic integrity if you're requesting academic accommodation for one course but continue to complete graded assignments for another course.

Faculty, in consultation with the dean/associate dean may recommend restrictions in the use of academic accommodations for a set period.

10.1.2 Circumstances for academic accommodation

Circumstances that are eligible for academic accommodation may include:    

• sudden or acute physical illness or mental distress,
• serious injury to self or significant others,
• bereavement,
• a traumatic event,
• conflicting religious observance schedules,
• participation in varsity athletic competitions,
• participation as a GCSA executive member Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA) in official Board of Governor activities or senior management scheduled events.
• military requirements, or
• other serious personal/family crisis.

Alternatively, there are other reasons for absence that are not sufficient for you to receive academic accommodation and may result in a mark of 0. Some examples of circumstances that are not eligible for academic accommodations may include:

• personal or family events (e.g., vacations, weddings),

• technological and/or computer failure, or

• disability for which you're already receiving ongoing accommodations (Section 10.2 Academic accommodations for students with disabilities),

• employment and conflicting work schedules, or

• attempting to manage course loads/assignments.

Documentation to support academic accommodation requests may be required, including the following information:

• your name and student ID number,

• date and time of the incident/illness,

• a statement from an appropriate regulated health care professional that you were absent for medical reasons (if medical), or

• the name, phone number and signature of the appropriate regulated health care professional/witness (if medical).

10.2 Academic accommodations for students with disabilities

All Georgian students with disabilities are eligible for accommodations and support services. You must register with Accessibility Services prior to any tests or examinations to allow the faculty to make any required arrangements. Academic accommodation is designed to create access and reduce/eliminate barriers that may impact learning and participation.

Georgian endorses and adheres to the Ontario Human Rights Code policy on accessible education and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Academic accommodation doesn't guarantee a level of achievement. Accommodation must be reasonable and cannot change the learning outcomes of the course.

10.3 Academic accommodations for religious observances 

Georgian is committed to respecting your religious beliefs and practices, in line with the Ontario Human Rights Code, and will provide academic accommodations for observances of special significance.

Every effort is made to avoid scheduling in-class or formal tests, examinations, and graded assignments on days of special religious significance to you, throughout the year. The dates for all religious holidays are taken into consideration by the Office of the Registrar and the Academic Planning Timelines and remain consistent with those in the Ontario Public Service Religious Holiday Policy. Your academic accommodation must be reasonable and cannot change the learning outcomes of the course. You must make every effort to inform your faculty well in advance of a religious event that you observe.

Faculty should inform you of the existence of this regulation and the process by which you can request academic accommodation for religious observance.

10.4 Guidelines for tests and examinations 

If you have more than two tests or examinations of weighted value, each of 30 per cent or more over a 24-hour period, you may connect with your faculty to discuss options for rescheduling. This discussion must take place a minimum of four weeks prior to the tests/examinations.

No evaluation is permitted after the last day of classes of a term unless otherwise agreed on by the faculty in consultation with the Office of the Registrar where appropriate.

10.4.1 Online course, test, and examination guidelines
 

1. Students in fully online courses/programs are not required to come on campus to complete assessments including tests and examinations.

2. Tests and examinations completed online may require students to use virtual proctoring platforms when deemed necessary by faculty, in collaboration with their associate dean or dean.

3. You must appear in the online test environment at least five minutes before the examination or test is scheduled to start. Students are required to test their computer settings prior to the assessment start time. If you log into the test or examination after it has started, you must have the faculty’s permission. If permission is given, you must complete the examination or test in the time remaining. If not, you'll receive a mark of “0” on the test or examination.

4. No one is allowed in the online test environment (room or space) during an examination or test except the student writing the examination or test.

5. All your bags, books, and devices such as phones must be left in areas outside of the online test environment. Your online environment space should be free of bags, books, and all devices unless otherwise specified by the faculty.

6. Faculty may ban any device deemed to compromise the integrity of a test or examination.

7. You must have your student ID (ONEcard) or government-issued photo ID (driver’s licence, Ontario Photo Card, or passport; health cards will not be accepted), available for admission to the remote or online proctoring service. You should be prepared to show your ID as stated above, upon request.

8. You must follow the instructions on the examination documents, as appropriate.

9. If you bring unauthorized material into the online test environment or platform or ask for assistance from any other student or unauthorized source, you'll not be permitted to continue writing (Section 8. Academic integrity).

10. If you're doing your test or examination online, you're not permitted to bring unauthorized material into your online environment or ask for assistance from unauthorized persons or materials and sources (Section 8. Academic integrity).

11. Once an examination or test has started, you cannot leave the online test environment for at least the first 30 minutes without faculty permission.

12. In an online testing environment, you're not permitted to record the online assessment experience or take screenshots of the assessment.

13. You must be alone and undisturbed in a quiet testing space for online tests and examinations, except for specified and authorized test aids approved by faculty and or accommodations.

14. You must keep only the required computer application(s) open and power off all electronic devices such as cellphones and iPads/ tablets and keep these devices inaccessible for the duration of the test or examination.

15. All writing and/or online submissions must stop when faculty announce the examination or test time is over and/or faculty sets the online testing time to end. If you don't observe this rule, your papers and/or online submissions may not be accepted.

10.4.2 In-class/face-to-face course, test, and examination guidelines
 

1. You must appear at the test room at least five minutes before the examination or the test is scheduled to start. If you arrive at the test or examination after it has started, you must have the faculty’s permission. If permission is given, you must complete the examination or test in the time remaining. If not, you'll receive a mark of “0” on the test or examination.

2. No one is allowed into a test room during an examination or test except the students writing the examination or test and the faculty and approved proctor.

3. All your bags, books, and devices such as phones must be left in areas designated by the faculty (not taken to a desk or table).

4. Faculty may ban any device deemed to compromise the integrity of a test or examination.

5. You must have your student ID (ONEcard) or government-issued photo ID (driver’s licence, Ontario Photo Card, or passport; health cards will not be accepted), available for admission into the test room. You should place the card on your desk (where it can be seen). If you're using the digital ONEcard, you must abide by directions from faculty regarding personal devices and be prepared to show your digital ONEcard upon request.

6. Faculty have the authority to assign seating for in-person tests and examinations.

7. You must follow the instructions on the examination documents, as appropriate.

8. If you bring unauthorized material into the test room or ask for assistance from any other student or unauthorized source, you'll not be permitted to continue writing. See Section 8 Academic integrity.

9. Once an examination or test has started, you cannot leave the test room for at least the first 30 minutes without faculty permission. You cannot leave during the final 10 minutes to not distract others still writing. The exception is in marine courses where you're not permitted to leave the examination or test environment during the entire period, as regulated by Transport Canada.

10. You're not permitted to take examination books and other materials out of the test room unless noted in the course outline.

11. All writing and/or submissions must stop when faculty announce the examination or test time is over and/or faculty sets the testing time to end. If you don't observe this rule, your papers and/or submissions may not be accepted.

10.5 Cancellations

In the event of a college closure due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, you'll be notified by the faculty with information with regards to the re-booking or action required because of the cancellation.

Faculty determine acceptable means of covering the course material and achieving the learning outcomes. If a campus is closed on a scheduled exam date, the academic area re-schedules the exam to a suitable date and time and you're normally notified by your faculty via your Georgian email or Blackboard. (Employees should reference the Unscheduled Campus Closure Procedure).

10.6 Notification of college closures 

Notifications of college closures are made available to you through several outlets, including:

• college website,
• Unscheduled Campus Closure Procedure,
• college telephone system automated message,
• Blackboard,
• Georgian College email account,
• Georgian College Facebook page,
• Georgian College X feed,
• MyGCLife homepage alert bar, and
• Safe@Georgian app.

10.7 Academic accommodations due to events of a significant scale