Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management policies

To maintain their program status, students must complete 3 credits of course or project work during one academic year (September 1 - August 31). Students who are inactive in their studies for a 13-month period may be contacted by the CIS Office for an update on their progress. Students who have been inactive for 13 months, and who have not updated their status with the HRM program nor consulted with the HRM Student Services Coordinator, will be withdrawn from the program automatically.

Students may interrupt their studies, without academic prejudice, contingent upon the submission of a written request for a leave of absence from their studies and subsequent approval from the HRM Program Coordinator.

Any student who is receiving Student Financial Aid should review the Student Finance Funding Criteria.

Any student who receives a grade of "F" in one course, or a grade of "C" in more than one course, may be required to withdraw from the program. Review the course grading system for further information.

In order to participate in the program, each student must own or have access to:

• the Internet
• the required computer hardware and software requirements
• use PC's (assistance is limited for other hardware, software or operating platforms)
• other communication services (e.g. telephone / mobile phone)

In order to participate, each student must own or have ready access to the following suggested computer hardware and software requirements:

1. a computer that conforms to the required standards. Athabasca University's standard computing platform is the IBM-compatible computer. Some courses support other hardware and software platforms and / or have more specific requirements and these are noted in the Web syllabus. Students are advised that only limited assistance for other hardware and software platforms is offered from Athabasca University's Help Desk.
2. an Internet service provider (ISP connection).

For more information on required standards see Student Computer Requirements at the IT Help Desk.

Definition of a program deferral: An interval of time when a student is ‘inactive’ and not expected to make progress in their program of study. The time of the deferral is not counted toward the maximum number of years allowed in the program.

Details pertaining to a program deferral:

While enrolled in the HRM program there may be situations in which students are temporarily unable to meet the program requirements. One alternative for the student is to request a deferral in order to suspend the program requirements for a period of time. The maximum length of one deferral is one (1) year. In special circumstances, students may reapply for a second year of deferral during their time in their program.

A deferral is typically reserved for situations when extenuating circumstances are present, such as serious health conditions, pregnancy, significant care giving responsibilities, adoption, unexpected military service or deployment, and participation in a political election, executive position on AUGSA or required jury duty. Having multiple competing responsibilities is not sufficient to be considered extenuating circumstances.

The length of time of the deferral is not included in the time period for completion of the HRM program and deadlines will be adjusted accordingly.

During the deferral, the student will have limited access to the program, University, and supervisory resources.

No program fees or tuition fees will be charged for deferrals.

Factors to consider before requesting a program deferral:

All deferral arrangements must be discussed as early as possible with the HRM Office so that appropriate adjustments can be made prior to the start date of the leave.

If the student holds any awards/scholarships at the time of the request of the deferral, they must check the criteria of the award/scholarship to determine whether the award can be deferred or interrupted and discover the necessary process to seek deferral or interruption of the award/scholarship.

Students should make themselves aware that the deferral may cause some of their courses to be ‘stale-dated. HRM program students are strongly encouraged to either withdraw from or complete any “in progress” courses prior to applying for a deferral.

Students whose research involves ethics approval and agency access approvals need to be aware that the AU REB and the pertinent agencies approval to conduct their research ceases when they are no longer a currently registered student. They cannot conduct their research during this time and they will have to resubmit their ethics/access applications upon their return to study.

The maximum length of a deferral is one (1) year. In special circumstances, students may reapply to the HRM Office for a second deferral during their time in their program.

The student needs to make themselves aware of any costs related to the program deferral. No program or tuition fees will be paid by the student during the deferral.

Procedure:

The student shall submit the Request for Program Deferral form to the HRM Office. The request should include the following:

1. Reasons for the request;
2. Length of deferral requested;
3. Pertinent documentation related to the deferral request (e.g. if a medical leave, provide a letter from a qualified health practitioner).

The graduate program director will notify the HRM Office, who will place a special notation on the student’s record and notify the student of the Director's decision.

The graduate program director will submit the letter with their recommendation and the accompanying documentation to the Dean, FGS for information.

If a student requests a third year of a deferral, approval must be obtained from FGS.

Students are to notify the HRM Office when they are ready to resume their HRM studies.

Registration requests must be received by the CIS Office at least one month prior to the requested start date. Note that all graduate courses have limited enrolments.

Undergraduate courses begin the first day of every month, on a year-round basis. Registration requests must be received by the CIS Office at least one month prior to the requested start date.

Students are expected to use computer-mediated communications for:

• instructor-student and student-to-student interaction in computer conferences
• electronic mail, both within and outside of the course structure
• file transfer or file attachment of assignments
• feedback between instructor and students or between students on joint projects
• accessing electronic databases (e.g., AU Library search) and web resources
• accessing course material that is provided in an online format

If you have questions about the grading scale, consult the course regulations and procedures.

Students must formally request to withdraw from a course. Simply not completing the course requirements or not participating in the class does not constitute withdrawal. Students who wish to withdraw from a course must submit a HRM Withdrawal Request Form. Students can receive a refund if they withdraw within the allowable timeframe. See course regulations and procedures in the calendar.

Students registered in Individualized-Study graduate HERM Courses can extend the 6-month term of their course contract for a period of 2 months (up to three-times, for a maximum of 6-months) by submitting the appropriate fee and an Extension Request Form to the HRM Office. Please contact the HRM Office for more information on extensions.

Students registered in Grouped-Study Courses are expected to complete all course work by the scheduled end-date of the course. Short extensions may be available if circumstances warrant, but the course instructor and HRM Office must be notified well in advance of the course end-date.

No discounts on registration fees are available for course re-registrations.

In order to carry forward any completed coursework, you must first obtain written approval from the course professor/course coordinator. Approval to carry forward completed coursework is at the discretion of the course professor/coordinator. To carry the results forward, you must re-register in the course within one year from the course contract end date of your original registration.