Update about the spring 2020 term

On Friday, March 27, 2020 the following email was sent to the graduate student community:

To: All graduate students

From: GSPA

Date: March 27, 2020

Subject: Update about your spring 2020 term

Note: This email is for information and action

The University has made the important decision to proceed with spring 2020 term with no in-person academic activity. This means that we will hold all classes, including midterm and final exams, as well as academic milestones such as thesis proposals, comprehensive exams and defences, virtually.

We want you to have a quality learning experience at Waterloo during these times of unprecedented change. We also want to make sure that you can continue to make progress towards earning your degree.

Below you will find some information relevant to you as a graduate student for the spring 2020 term. Please continue to monitor our COVID-19 information pages for up-to-date information and relevant changes.

Student Experience and Fees

In these challenging circumstances, we remain committed to bringing you the quality learning experience you expect from Waterloo.  Our graduate instructors, supervisors, and program coordinators will continue to support you academically, and campus support services will be available to assist in your well-being.

As some of our student services have been modified or will not be accessible to those located at a distance from our campuses, we are currently reviewing all incidental fees. You should expect to hear about any changes in these fees by Friday, April 3.

All full-time registered graduate students will continue to receive funding support that was previously committed to them by their program.

Please visit the GSPA financial need funding web page for information about available financial aid, processes, and deadlines.

Important dates

As a result of the spring term being offered in a virtual/remote format, below please find the revised important dates for both the conclusion of winter term and spring 2020:

• April 6 – May 31: Class enrolment period (revised from March 30-May 24)
• April 8: tuition fee bills viewable in Quest
• April 8: end of winter 2020 term evaluations begin - no on campus exams
• April 25: end of winter 2020 term evaluations conclude
• May 11: spring term begins, including classes and co-op work terms (revised from May 4)
• May 15: deadline to pay tuition and fees or become fees arranged (revised from April 24)
• May 16: Late fees begin (revised from April 25)
• June 1: 100% tuition and fee refund deadline (revised from May 22)

A few things to note about the schedule of classes

• It will be updated by April 1; this includes the cancellation of some classes and that all dates/times and locations will be removed.
• If a class has been cancelled, it will not appear in your schedule.
• Because the academic term is being administered remotely, no class "conflicts" will occur.
• While all academic content will be delivered in a format that allows remote participation, this distinction will not appear on your academic transcript (e.g. will not be noted as an ‘online’ course)

Course programming

With no in-person course activity this term, all classes and exams will be through remote access. This may mean that some courses and/or labs will not be available. In light of this, departments and faculties are working on contingency plans to allow students to complete their programs as efficiently as possible. You are encouraged to contact your graduate program co-ordinator or supervisor if you require guidance.