The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies is a division of the Faculty of Health
Undergraduate calendar and handbook
The Undergraduate Calendar is the official source for all degree requirements, and students are responsible for meeting the requirements in order to graduate. The undergraduate calendar provides detailed information on full-time vs. part-time study, residency requirement and degree time limits, WHMIS requirement, the English Language Proficiency Requirement, and degree upgrade information.
Each year, the Department provides a student handbook of "good-to-know" information that will guide you throughout your degree and supplement the official information in the undergraduate calendar as it relates to Recreation and Leisure Studies.
Academic Progression (AP)
Academic decisions
Academic decisions are made at the end of each term based on cumulative averages achieved and specific grades such as failures or incomplete grades (including INC, IP, DNW, NMR and WF). Unofficial grades may be available after the final examination period ends.
Cumulative averages are calculated using all courses completed to date, passed and failed. The cumulative overall average (Overall GPA) is based on all courses completed, and the Major average (Major GAP) is based on all REC courses completed.
Academic standings
Academic standings are issued at the end of each academic term.
| Standing | Description |
|---|---|
| EXCL | A standing of “Excellent” is given to students who have a cumulative average greater than 80% and a major average of 80% or greater, may be accompanied by an award designation of “Term Dean’s Honours List” (see page 5 for details). |
| GOOD | A “Good” standing is achieved with a major average of 70% or greater and a cumulative average above 70%. |
| SAT | A “Satisfactory” standing is given to students whose MAV (REC) average is 70% or greater, and has an (overall GPA) overall average between 65% and 69.99%. |
| Conditional (CNDA, CNDO, CNDP | For students whose cumulative and major averages are slightly below the minimum required, a conditional standing is applied. The student is required to raise their major and/ or cumulative averages above the required minimums over the next academic term. Otherwise, they will be required to proceed in the 4-year General Recreation & Leisure Studies program. Please note: you are allowed only 1 term with a conditional standing. |
| FLGR (Failed General Regular) | Those students who achieve a cumulative average of 60% or better but less than 65%, and/or a major average of 65% or better but less than 70% may proceed in the 4-year General Recreation and Leisure Studies program. The 4-year General program is a regular program only – students are not allowed to continue in co-op. Students may not declare a “major” until their averages have met the honours degree requirements. There may be some options or minors available to students within this General Degree program. |
| ELIG | If a student is able to improve both of their averages above the minimum requirements for the Honours program again, then they may request to return to the Honours program by completing a Plan Modification Form (see page 21). Students may be able to take courses toward the major degree programs, options or minors while in the 4-year General program |
| Failed – Required to withdraw | Students who do not achieve a minimum cumulative average of 60% or greater and a minimum major average of 65% or greater, are not eligible to continue in any program in Recreation and Leisure Studies. The standings associated with this decision are “Failed – required to withdraw”. Students will be given the opportunity to complete a Foundation term or one term of non-degree studies for the purpose of academic improvement, and meeting eligibility requirements for readmission to the Recreation and Leisure Studies program, or admission to another Faculty on campus or at another institution (i.e., colleges, universities). |
| CNDW |
Conditional – at risk of being required to withdraw (only at the end of their 1A term). Students may, in consultation with their Academic Advisor, choose to participate in the Foundation Term. Those students who receive a Failed Required to Withdraw decision after their 1B term may complete a Foundation term or follow the non-degree process as a condition of readmission |
Unofficial transcript
An unofficial transcript is like a report card of your academic success. It's your record of courses taken at the University of Waterloo. It's comparable to the report cards you received in high school. Following the 30-day appeal period, grades on your transcript are usually not changed. Failing grades cannot ever be removed. If you retake a course, both marks will remain on your transcript and be calculated into your average; however, you will only receive credit for the first successful course attempt. You can access your unofficial transcript on Quest following the final exam period each term to view your unofficial grades. Official grades and academic standing decisions are available approximately 4 weeks after the end of the final exam period each term.
Academic policies
Penalties for academic offences
The seriousness with which the university considers academic offences is reflected in the disciplinary process, which is conducted by the Associate Dean of the Faculty, and the nature of the penalties imposed.
For example, cheating on a final examination has resulted in failure of the course and suspension from the university; it could also result in expulsion. Similar penalties may result from the use of "essay services" or submitting all or part of another student's work as your own. Sometimes students who have been caught doing these things claim that they felt under intolerable pressure at the time, and saw this as their only solution.
It is important that you realize there are other ways of dealing with these stressful situations, such as either seeking advice directly from the professor teaching the course, from your Undergraduate Advisor or Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies in your department or the Associate Dean of the Faculty.
Student grievance policy (#70)
Once an academic offence has been committed, a plea of extenuating circumstances may be difficult to support. It is nevertheless important to realize that the university is committed to the fair treatment of students. Should you feel that you have been treated unjustly in the handling of an academic offence, the Student Grievance Policy (#70) describes what further action you may take in the form of an informal inquiry, a formal inquiry or an appeal. The Student Grievance Policy also covers procedural or other instances of bias, prejudice or abuse as defined in the Ethical Behaviour policy (#33).
The Student Grievance policy is available online at https://uwaterloo.ca/secretariat/policies-procedures-guidelines/policy-70
Department policy regarding course assignments and examinations
If you will be absent for a test, are ill or are having personal difficulties (e.g. death of a relative) and you are going to miss an exam or lab or need an extension for an assignment, you must contact the professor in advance or within 48 hours of the exam, lab or assignment date.
Acceptable written documentation is normally required (e.g,. a doctor’s note or Verification of Illness form from Health Services, a copy of the death certificate or obituary, etc.).
The Department has adopted a policy for late assignments, missed exams, and reweighing of assignments or exams due to extenuating circumstances.
If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, please contact your academic advisor to discuss options for managing your studies.
Final exams - University of Waterloo policies and procedures
The Registrar's Office provides details regarding Final Exam Information, exam regulations and procedures, and Final Exam Relief accommodations.
Academic decisions
Academic decisions are made at the end of each term and accessible on your unofficial transcript through Quest when official course grades are released the day after final examinations end. Decisions are based on cumulative averages achieved and specific grades such as failures or incomplete grades (including INC, IP, DNW, NMR and WF). You should contact your Academic Advisor or Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies if you have questions about the academic decision on your transcript.
Cumulative averages are calculated using all your completed courses to date, passed and failed. So the cumulative overall average (Overall GPA) is based on all courses completed, and the cumulative Major average (Major GPA) is based on all REC courses completed. If a course is cross-listed as REC and you enrol in the non-REC section of the course, the course will count in your major average calculation.
Details regarding each of the academic standings and what they mean for progress in your degree program are outlined in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Getting into or out of Co-op
You may decide once you begin your studies that you would like to change your program of study from the co-op to the regular stream, or from the regular to the co-op stream.
Co-op to Regular Stream
You may change from co-op to regular at any time as long as you are not committed to a job. However, you should meet with your Academic Advisor to review your degree requirements and course sequence.
Complete a Plan Modification Form from the Registrar’s Office and submit it to the Recreation Undergraduate Office, B.C. Matthews Hall, room 2201.
Regular to Co-op Stream
Changing from the regular stream to co-op is more difficult as co-op spaces are limited to the number of work placements available. However, there are often several students who decide to leave the co-op program for various reasons during their first and second year, leaving space available for regular students to transfer into co-op.
You need to apply for co-op no later than your 2A term to ensure you will have adequate time to meet the four work terms and four work reports required in co-op before graduation. Students will need to be in 'good' standing and have at least a 70% cumulative average and 70% REC average to be considered for admission to co-op as competition is strong for the few available spaces each year.
Complete a Plan Modification Form from the Registrar’s Office and submit it to the Recreation Undergraduate Office, B.C. Matthews Hall, room 2201. If admitted to co-op, you should meet with your Academic Advisor to review your degree requirements and course sequence.