These Policies are specific to the IEN Programs at Seneca College

Time Zones

All classes and assignments are in Eastern Standard Time, there are no exceptions.

Academic Integrity

The IEN Program has an addendum to the Seneca College Academic Integrity Policy that informs the process used for AI violations.

Evaluation Procedures

APA Format/Guidelines for Written Work

To support clear and consistent communication within a discipline, each profession selects a writing style that meets the needs of its members. All formal papers and assignments, unless otherwise specified, should comply with the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th ed guide.

American Psychological Association (2019). Publication of the American Psychological Association (7h Ed.).

Late Assignments/Assignment Extension

Any student in need of an extended deadline must negotiate a reasonable extension with the faculty in advance of the published deadline. Only under extenuating circumstances will late assignments be accepted without communication prior to the deadline. Documentation of the extenuating circumstances must be provided by the student upon request. At the discretion of the faculty, deductions may be applied for any late assignment submissions. 

Students are required to contact the course faculty no later than 24 hours prior to the due date to request an assignment extension Exceptions for extenuating circumstances may be considered by the course faculty.   This will require submitting the request via email along with supporting documentation (e.g. health care provider statement).   

Any assignment submitted late OR any assignment for which an extension has been granted that is not submitted by the negotiated date and time is subject to the following penalty(s):  

Late Assignments will be penalized 5 percentage marks per day (including weekends) up to 20 days past the due date. After the 20-day period, the student will be given a “0” on that assignment, unless alternative arrangements have been made with the faculty. Assignments will not be accepted after the last day of the semester’s classes regardless of the due date.

Request for Grade Reappraisal Guideline 

Academic work eligible for grade reappraisal includes scholarly papers, a video recording or a final examination. Oral or group presentations are not eligible. Non-academic grounds (such as illness or misfortune) are not relevant grounds for grade reappraisals. All grade reprisals require the student to submit a detailed explanation using the marking rubric of how they believe they have met the requirements with the submitted assignment with their request in order for this to be considered.

• Students may, with sufficient academic grounds, request that their grade be reappraised.

• Students are expected to first contact the course faculty to discuss the grade received and to request their work to be reviewed within five school days of receiving the evaluation.

• If applicable the course faculty may choose to re-evaluate the student’s work and make the appropriate grade change.

• If after meeting with the course faculty, the issue is unresolved, the student may request a grade reappraisal by completing a Grade Reappraisal Request Form

• Grade reappraisal may only be requested within ten school days (excluding statutory holidays) from the release of final grades on student centre.

Process for Requesting a Grade Reappraisal

1. Grade Reappraisal Request Form including rationale for the request must be submitted to the Academic Chair within 1 week of the release of the final grade.

2. The original academic work with all comments and feedback.

3. A blind (name and student number obliterated), unmarked copy of the paper to be evaluated.

4. Information about the assignment including marking guidelines or rubric.

5. A request for a grade reappraisal may result in the original grade being raised, lowered or confirmed.

6. The Academic Chair informs the student and course faculty of the result of the reappraisal via email.

Evaluation Guidelines for On-Campus Courses

1. Students must be registered for a course to complete evaluations for the course.

2. Students will not be permitted to write test/exam prior to the scheduled date.

3. No student is permitted to write a test/exam without invigilation.

4. Faculty have the authority to assign seats.

5. Students are only permitted to bring the required pencils, pens and erasers in a clear plastic bag to be placed on the desk. All other belongings must be left in a locker or in a designated area and not to be taken to the desk.

6. All students must bring their Seneca OneCard or valid government photo identification (ID) for admission into the test/exam room. Students must display their ID in plain view on the desk for the duration of the test/exam.

7. Students must follow the instructions on the examination booklet, answer sheet or examination paper, as appropriate. All answers must be transcribed on the Scantron® sheet (or other faculty approved electronic grading form) for electronic grading. Only answers on the electronic grading sheet will be graded, unless otherwise specified on the test/exam.

8. When completing essay, short answer test questions, and other handwritten work, students must write with a non-erasable pen. Correction tape/liquid is not permitted. Written work in pencil will not be graded.

9. Students are not permitted to have unauthorized material or electronic devices including smart/electronic watches during a test/exam.

10. No food or beverages are permitted in the testing room except for a bottle of water in a transparent container without a label.

11. No talking permitted during the exam or when entering and exiting the room.

12. Students arriving late must complete the test/exam in the time remaining. No extra time will be granted.

13. All writing must stop when faculty announces that the test/exam is over. If students do not observe this rule, their test/exam may not be accepted.

Online Testing

The following are considered cheating under Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy:

• Online group chats discussing any test material with class members and peers 

• Sharing of any answers/questions with peers and class members on tests and final evaluations. 

• Any photo or distribution of test material 

• Cutting and pasting answers from online sources/resources and textbooks

Any student that is suspected of a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy may face academic sanctions. The professor will report the concern to the Academic Coordinator and suspected violations may be brought forward to the School of Nursing Academic Integrity Committee. 

Students are expected to affirm their commitment to Academic Integrity at the start of online assessments.

"By beginning this test, I affirm that I will not give or receive any unauthorized help on this exam and that all work provided will be my own. I agree to abide https://www.senecacollege.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html by Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy and I understand that any violation of academic integrity will have consequences as per policy.”

Test/Examination Review  

To maintain academic rigour and integrity while upholding the standards of the profession, students will not be able to review online exams virtually. General feedback on performance and key concepts will be given, however individual questions may not be reviewed.

Request for Deferred Evaluation Privilege for Tests and Exams

Students are expected to complete evaluations at their scheduled time and are strongly discouraged from missing an evaluation. 

Students may request a deferred evaluation privilege for the following extenuating circumstances:

• Incapacitating illness

• Death in the family

• Legal proceedings

• Seneca varsity athletes

• Religious, Indigenous or Spiritual observance by the student

Process for Requesting Deferred Evaluation Privilege

1. Notify course faculty and academic coordinator by Seneca email within 48 hours of the missed evaluation 

2. Complete and Submit a Request for Deferred Evaluation Email and attach all supporting documentation to course faculty within one week of the missed evaluation. IEN Deferral Evaluation Form LINK  

Required Documentation:

Incapacitating illness: 

Students are required to submit documentation on the health care providers (HCP) practice letterhead and must include:

• Date(s) of illness

• The date(s) and time(s), the student was examined

• Functional impacts of the illness

• HCP’s signature with CPSO/CNO number

Death in the family:

Students are required to submit proof such as: death certificate/obituary

Legal proceedings:

Students are required to submit a copy of the required legal proceedings/summon(s) with date(s).

Religious, Indigenous or Spiritual observance:

Students are required to provide a brief written statement that outlines the specific religious, indigenous or spiritual observance.

Final Decisions:

1. Failure to adhere to the required process and timelines will result in a grade of zero (0).

2. If the request for deferred evaluation is denied, the evaluation will be given a grade of zero (0).

3. All approved deferred evaluations will be scheduled in week 11 or 12. The faculty will notify the student of the date, time and location of the evaluation.

4. The format of the deferred evaluation may differ from the missed evaluation.

5. For simulation or lab courses deferred testing will be scheduled at the discretion of the course faculty.

6. An evaluation can only be deferred once. If the deferred evaluation is not completed, a grade of zero (0) will be given.