Enrolment Services FAQs for Fall 2020

Updated: May 15, 2020

Laurier is actively planning for the fall term and looking forward to starting as scheduled in early September. On May 15, the university announced its overall approach to the fall — most courses will be delivered online, and we will work to identify aspects of programs and activities that we can deliver in-person, as aligned with public health requirements.

There are still many details to be worked out. We know you are anxious for more information and we are working hard to provide it. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We will be updating the following FAQs regularly as information becomes available.

Please direct any questions, comments or concerns you have to servicelaurier@wlu.ca.

Registration

When will the schedule for Fall and Winter 2020/21 be available?

• The Fall/Winter schedule will be available on June 1, 2020.

When will Winter 2020 grades be made official?

• Grades will be made official mid-July.
• Once Winter term grades are made official progression decisions are viewable under Official Grades in LORIS.

When do I find out about the program change I requested on LORIS?

• The decisions for program change requests will be viewable mid-July. 
• Progression decisions are viewable on LORIS under the Unofficial Record of Course.

How do I change my Fall 2020 program?

• Program changes can be made via Program Selection Form on July 06, 2020.

How do I calculate my GPA if I have CR or WD grades in Winter 2020?

• CR and WD grades are excluded from the GPA calculation. Your official GPA is available on LORIS, but you can also use the GPA calculator to determine how your current grades will affect your cumulative GPA.

What does CR/WD represent, and how do I adjust my Winter 2020 grades?

• Please review our comprehensive CR/WD FAQ.

What is the difference between online and remote courses?

• Online courses are created specifically for online instruction have been collaboratively designed by a content expert and an instructional designer and digital media and educational technology specialists. Online course development is guided by instructional design strategies and makes use of pedagogically led technology. Online courses are intentionally developed for instructors and students to be separated by space (location) and/or time (often both).

• Remote Learning, uses technology-enabled tools and software to facilitate course delivery when in-person instruction is not possible in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Remote” instruction is not directly comparable to “online course” instruction. The difference is not in the quality of the content, but in the design of content delivery.

How will I know if a course is taught online or remote learning?

• Online courses would have a section of OC and instructional method of Online

• Remote courses show as offering the course on the days and times listed and the section would be a letter and instructional method Lecture - No buildings or room locations are noted as it is online

Do online and on-campus courses cost the same?

• There has always been an additional charge for online courses. The fee is called OLAD (On-line Learning Admin Fee).
• There is no extra fee for remote learning. 

Where can I get assistance with registration for the 2020/2021 Academic Year?

• The Registration guide is a comprehensive site that contains many resources and information that will assist with the registration process.
• Most courses will be delivered online, and we will work to identify aspects of programs and activities that we can deliver in-person, as aligned with public health requirements. For further information please refer to our Fall Semester FAQ.

Where can I find deadlines to drop or add courses?

• You can review the deadlines to drop and add courses for each term in the academic calendar.

Where can I get details about convocation?

• We update the Convocation website frequently as decisions are made. Please review the COVID-19 Convocation FAQs for further questions.

Is Service Laurier still producing official documents?

• Yes, although Laurier has temporarily shifted its operations to a virtual environment that will contribute to the continuity of operations, while limiting social contact and group gatherings. As a result, some of our standard operating procedures related to Transcripts, Letters and Forms have been adjusted.