FAQ for Students
The Ombudsperson offers confidential guidance and support on any University-related issue, academic and non-academic, to all Lakehead students. Below are some of the most common questions and concerns which students experience. Remember: When in doubt, ask the Ombudsperson!
Student Code of Conduct - Academic Integrity
Student Code of Conduct - Non-Academic
Student Code of Conduct - Appeal Policy
Providing Timely Feedback on Academic Work
Tests and Assignments in the Last Week of Classes
Exam and Course Scheduling Changes
Withdrawing From Courses by the Drop Date
Late Withdrawal Under Compelling Reasons
Please see our Helpful Links page as well.
Student Code of Conduct - Academic Integrity
Student Code of Conduct - Non-Academic
Student Code of Conduct - Appeal Policy
Academic Appeals Process
The appeal must be submitted by the student within 15 working days of the release of the final mark by Enrolment Services or the release of the academic decision. Students who are considering to appeal a final mark or or other academic decision should read the policy and follow these steps:
Step 1: The student shall first discuss the final course mark or other academic decision informally with the course instructor, evaluator or decision maker.
Step 2: If the matter is not resolved at Step 1, the student may appeal the final mark or academic decision by submitting appeal documents [either Form A or Form B] to the faculty dean or responsible decision maker after paying the appeal fee at the Accounts office.
Step 3: If the matter is not resolved at Step 2, the student may apply for a hearing of the Senate Academic Appeals Committee (SAAC).
Please read the Reappraisal and Academic Appeals policy carefully and ask questions when necessary.
Providing Timely Feedback on Academic Work
Lakehead University recognizes that it is important to provide timely and constructive feedback on all academic work. For all courses, at least 25% (for one term courses) and 30% (for two term courses) of the final grade shall be provided to students prior to the last day to withdraw without academic penalty for the course. Exceptions to the graded feedback include theses, dissertations, pass/fail courses, directed reading courses, seminar courses, independent research study courses, and performance courses. All other exceptions must be approved by the Dean. Exceptions granted should be included on the course outline. The spirit of this regulation should be applied to courses of fewer than 12 weeks.
See Regulation XII on Timely Feedback:
Course Evaluation Changes
Instructors are required to hand out a course evaluation sheet at the beginning of each course, which includes the following information:
- Course requirements
- Assignments/Midterms
- Components and percentage weighting of final mark
- Penalties for late assignments
- Office hours
- Other relevant material
Instructors must provide students with a written notice of any changes made to the information on the course evaluation sheet.
Tests and Assignments in the Last Week of Classes
Instructors are not allowed to give any kind of test (except laboratory or drafting tests) within the last five days of classes in each term without permission from their faculty Dean. Instructors are not allowed to give any test or assignment during the study period between the end of classes and the beginning of the formal exam period in each term (dates are specified in the Lakehead U calendar).
See the regulation:
https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/policies-procedures/policies/list/node/52173
Exam and Course Scheduling Changes
If an instructor needs to reschedule any kind of academic activity (such as a class, midterm, exam, etc), they must notify students as far in advance as possible. The instructor must make arrangements for you if you are unable to accommodate the rescheduling.
Withdrawing From Courses by the Drop Date
Not attending a class does NOT constitute withdrawal from that course. Make sure to officially withdraw from the class or you will receive a mark of FNW (Failure No Withdrawal) which counts as a fail. You will receive a grade of FNW if you performed no work required for grading. If you performed some work, your transcript will reflect the amount of work you submitted (for example 3%).
Here is what happens if you officially withdraw:
- Before the course begins: the course is removed completely from your transcript.
- By the course drop date [withdrawal without penalty deadline]: the course is removed completely from your transcript.
Any time after that: withdrawals will not be permitted after the posted deadline date.
Late Withdrawal Under Compelling Reasons
A Late Withdrawal is defined as dropping a course after the official drop deadlines. See Important Dates for this year's deadlines.
Students may petition for late withdrawal on the grounds of illness or other compelling and documentable reasons for having been unable to withdraw from the course by its drop deadline. See University Regulation X (c). A student seeking withdrawal for such reasons must petition the Registrar in writing with supporting documentation within two months of the release of final grades. In the case of illness, a medical certificate is required. In all other cases, or without valid documentation, withdrawal from courses is not permitted after the deadline has passed.
The petition for late withdrawal process can be completed online using the link available on myInfo. An administrative fee must be paid before the petition will be considered. The Registrar will then consult with the instructor and/or the Chair/Director. If the petition is granted, "W" (withdrew) will be assigned to the course on the transcript. "W" is not considered a mark.
Viewing Final Examinations
Course instructors shall provide, at your request, the opportunity for you to view, in the presence of the instructor or designate, your final examination up to a period of one year following the date of the examination. See the regulation.
Medical Certificates
A medical certificate may be issued if a current illness or injury results in a significant disruption of academic or practical work, or if you have seen the physician at the time of illness or injury.
A medical certificate will not be issued if you have a minor illness or injury that disrupts academic activities, including:
- Missed labs and classes
- Death or serious illness in the family- documentation from a funeral home or hospital is sufficient
- Past illnesses - without some form of documentation from the time of illness
- Obvious injury (eg. broken bone in a cast)
- To document a stressful time in the past
- Long-term sleep/wake problems related to lifestyle
Housing: Leases and Roommates
If you sign a lease for off-campus accommodation, you should realize that a lease is a binding contract. It can't be terminated without the consent of both parties. You are bound for the term of the lease, so if you're only on campus for 8 months and your lease is for 12, you still need to pay for those months you're not here. A link to the standard lease form provided by the Ontario Government is below.
If you are living with roommates and one person leaves, you are all still bound by the terms of the lease. The landlord, in most cases, will hold the people still remaining responsible for paying the whole of the rent. Make sure to ask your landlord before you sign a lease about their policy for roommates moving out.
Any commitments made by the landlord (ie: repairs, renovations, etc) should be in writing and signed by the landlord and a witness.
Standard Lease form
Tenant's Notice to end the Tenancy [form N9]
http://www.sjto.gov.on.ca/documents/ltb/Notices%20of%20Termination%20&%20Instructions/N9.pdf
Housing Links & Information
LU Off-Campus Housing: Listings & Rental Information
https://offcampus.lakeheadu.ca/roch/index.php
Legal Aid Clinic in Thunder Bay
The Clinic provides free legal services for persons with low income.
https://www.lakeheadu.ca/programs/departments/law/clinic
(807) 346-7815
Legal Aid Clinic in Orillia
The Clinic provides free legal services for persons with low income.
https://www.communitylegalclinic.ca/
705-326-6444 or toll-free 1-800-461-8953
Landlord and Tenant Board
The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) resolves disputes between residential landlords and tenants, and eviction applications filed by non-profit housing co-operatives. The LTB also provides information about its practices and procedures and the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act.
http://www.sjto.gov.on.ca/ltb/
1-888-332-3234
Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario
Tip sheets and legal information
https://www.acto.ca/for-tenants/
Ontario Government webpage "Renting in Ontario: Your Rights"
Read about the laws that affect tenants and landlords in Ontario.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/renting-ontario-your-rights#section-4
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Rental housing rules and processes