Credit (CR) option information for winter 2021

On Jan. 27, Senate approved a motion that allows undergraduate and graduate students an option to convert up to 0.5 credits in the winter 2021 term to a “credit” (CR) format. This option can be chosen for a course where you have earned a passing grade. Any course in which there is a finding of academic misconduct will not be eligible for conversion to CR.

Here's what you need to know about this new option:

• You are responsible for getting all the information and understanding the implications of converting a grade to a CR.
• There is no option for converting a grade to WD.
• The window for making this selection will be open from May 3^rd at 12:01 pm to May 10^th at 11:59 pm
• The form can only be submitted once, and once submitted the decision is final and cannot be reversed. You are encouraged to make your selection carefully.

Please see the questions and answers below for additional detail. For other course selection inquiries, you are encouraged to contact your faculty academic advisor or graduate coordinator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CR?

CR means credit. The grade of CR is not included in a student’s GPA.

What is the difference between CR and a letter grade?

The main difference between CR and a letter grade is how it affects a student’s grade point average (GPA). If a student decides to keep a letter grade in a course, it will be included in their GPA(s). If a student decides to request a passing grade as CR, it will not be included in the student’s overall or major GPA(s).

Regardless of whether a student chooses to keep their letter grade or requests a notation of CR for a successfully completed course, the student will still earn credit for the course. The grade of CR will appear on the transcript.

How do I decide whether to request CR instead of a letter grade?

There are many factors for a student to consider in determining whether to request a conversion of a letter grade to CR. Opting for a CR instead of a letter grade may impact graduation applications, scholarships, co-op, registration for courses with a minimum prerequisite grade, and admissions to graduate programs, CPA stream and other postgraduate programs or professional designations.

The university cannot comment on whether potential employers, professional associations, other universities, or postsecondary institutions will draw negative inference from the choice to CR or whether such organizations will prefer applicants who have grades in all courses. Similarly, competitive entry programs and activities inside Laurier may prefer applicants with grades rather than CR designations.

Students are advised to consider their decision carefully and evaluate their options once their grades have been posted in LORIS. Students should contact their academic advisor or graduate coordinator for any specific questions regarding progression and program requirements.

When can I choose a grade of CR? 

The CR grade selection form will be available for students to convert a maximum of 0.5 credits (usually one course) from winter 2021 passing grades. This form will be open on LORIS from May 3^rd at 12:01 pm to May 10^th at 11:59 pm. Students will be notified through their MyLaurier email accounts in advance of the form opening.

Note: The form can be submitted only once and represents a final decision that cannot be reversed. Students are strongly encouraged to make their selection carefully.

What if I would like to choose multiple grades?

Senate approved an option for students to convert up to 0.5 credits in the winter 2021 term from the letter grade to a CR format. Only one grade (0.5 credit) or two grades of 0.25 credits may be selected for credit. There are no exceptions to allow for multiple grade selection.

How do I choose a grade of CR?

In LORIS, under the Student Services tab, students will see the online form. In the form, use the drop down boxes to choose the grade(s) to convert and Submit.

I want to change a grade that does not appear as a selection? 

If a grade is not showing in the LORIS unofficial record of coursework, students are encouraged to contact the relevant instructor directly.

If a passing grade is showing in the LORIS unofficial record of coursework, but not in the form, it can take up to 10 hours for the grade to appear in LORIS.

For other course selection inquiries, students are encouraged to contact their faculty academic advisor or graduate coordinator.

Note: Any course at another university must follow the process at that institution. This includes University of Waterloo cross-registered courses, and Letter of Permission courses. You may not convert a grade from a course taken at another institution.

I am writing an exam during the deferred examination period or my grade is recorded as GNR (Grade Not Received from instructor) in LORIS and is unavailable to be changed.

Students wishing to convert grades as a result of deferred exams or late grades should do so by petition once the grade is received.

I submitted the form by accident, converted the wrong grade, missed the deadline - what do I do now?  

Once the form is completed on LORIS it cannot be modified or updated.  If you require a change after submission or if you missed the deadline, you need to file an academic petition through your home faculty.

How do I calculate my GPA? 

CR grades are excluded from the GPA calculation. Students are able to view their official GPA once available on LORIS, and may also use the GPA calculator to determine how current grades will affect cumulative GPA, and to assist in making your decisions about CR.

If I request CR for a course, will the letter grade be kept on file?

The original letter grade will remain accessible to the University for internal purposes only but will not appear on the transcript. Students will still be required to meet the minimum prerequisite grades for future courses, regardless of whether the grade has been replaced by the alternative notation CR.

Students are reminded that the decision to request a notation of CR instead of a letter grade for a successfully completed course is final and cannot be reversed at a later date. 

How will I receive additional information about the CR process?

Further information will be communicated to students through their MyLaurier account and posted to this site.