Message from Dean Woodin for A&S undergraduate students: CR/NCR, fees and summer timetable

May 1, 2020 by A&S News

Dear A&S students,

As the days grow longer and the signs of Spring emerge around us, we’re all turning our thoughts and attention to what lies ahead. With each passing day brings new conversations about the paths to re-opening – the re-opening of countries, economies, cites, and institutions. And in A&S we’re planning for our re-opening too.

The University of Toronto is working closely with public health authorities to determine how and when to facilitate a safe return to our classrooms. But while we’re doing that planning, some of you are completing your winter courses and preparing to start summer courses, so I’d like to provide you with a few updates on those terms.

Winter Term: As you are aware, the deadline to select Credit/No Credit (CR/NCR) has been extended to May 12, 2020. We are pleased to announce that you can now indicate this option in ACORN.

Summer Term: We know you have questions about the mode of summer course delivery, and you need those answers in order to plan your schedule. This information is now included in the timetable; look under ‘status/notes’ and ‘timetable instructions’. Please note there are a few outstanding courses which will be updated in the coming days.

Student Financial Support: A reminder that if you are in financial need due to unforeseen circumstances from COIVD, you can request support from the Emergency Student Bursary Fund. To date, $2.3 million has been disbursed to help students in need

The Faculty welcomed the recent announcement from the federal government regarding new financial supports for students. Highlights include: 

  • Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB): to support students and new graduates who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. This benefit provides $1,250 per month for eligible students or $1,750 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities. The benefit will be available from May to August 2020.
  • Canada Student Service Grant: to help students gain valuable work experience and skills while they help their communities during the COVID 19 pandemic. For students who choose to do national service and serve their communities, the new Canada Student Service Grant will provide up to $5,000 for their education in the fall. 

Student Fees: The University has recently made some announcements around changes to fees, and you can read about those changes here. In brief, fees have been reduced and, in some cases, refunded for the Summer 2020 term. Fees for athletic services have been reduced by 40%, fees for Hart House have been reduced by 30%, and fees related to access to space for student groups have been waived. 

If you have questions about fees or financial support, your first and best point-of-contact is always your College Registrar.

Let me close by offering you my sincere and heartfelt congratulations on the completion of the Winter term. You’ve completed your term in historic times, and the weight of your accomplishments should not be underestimated. Your instructors, your TAs, the staff that support you, and I, are all immensely proud of your achievements. You persevered, you inspired us, and you succeeded.

Take care, be well, and be proud.

With warm regards,

Dean Woodin

Melanie A. Woodin
Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science
Professor, Department of Cell & Systems Biology
University of Toronto

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