Campus Closures
The University may decide to cancel or reschedule academic activities and curtail non-essential services in response to extreme weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Alerts and updates on campus closures will be available at ubc.ca.
The information below applies to BCom students and all students registered in COMM, COHR, COMR, and COEC courses.
How will I know if my classes or exams are cancelled?
Always check ubc.ca for the most up-to-date information about campus closures.
If classes or midterm exams are cancelled:
- Please monitor your Canvas Announcements and email for any further direction from your instructors.
If final exams are cancelled:
- A notice will be posted at students.ubc.ca/enrolment/exams.
- UBC Enrolment Services will inform affected students via email and provide directions on the next steps.
- Instructors may also provide additional information via Canvas Announcements and/or email. Click here to learn how to personalize your notifications in Canvas.
Exam formats may vary and can include online, paper-based, or oral exams. It's important to note that an online exam does not necessarily mean it will be taken remotely. Online exams can be delivered in person (on campus, in a controlled environment) or remotely from any location. Be sure to check the specific details of your exam to understand its format and delivery method.
A campus closure was announced at ubc.ca on the day and time of my exam and my exam was cancelled. When will I write it?
Some instructors may choose to hold a remote exam at the originally scheduled time so that you do not need to be on campus to write the exam in person. It is your responsibility to review the policies listed in your course syllabus and monitor your email and Canvas Announcements for any information provided by your instructor.
If an exam is offered at the originally scheduled date and time, but the format is changed to remote:
If your instructor has notified you that your exam will be administered remotely, please follow their instructions, and complete the exam as scheduled. You will not be required to be on campus to take it.
If you are unable to take the originally scheduled exam due to extenuating circumstances:
If you have valid grounds for academic concession, you must submit a petition for academic concession as soon as possible and within 48 hours of the originally scheduled time.
If your petition for concession is approved, you will be expected to take your exam in person at the rescheduled time (see below). Students must have received permission from the UGO or CFA to write the rescheduled exam.
Submit your petition for academic concession
Students registered with the Centre for Accessibility (CFA) who require exam accommodations that cannot be facilitated through a remote exam should plan to write the exam at the rescheduled sitting. The CFA will ensure the appropriate support is available for rescheduled final exams. For in-term evaluations, please discuss the CFA-approved accommodations for the rescheduled sitting with your instructor.
Please note that once you have started an exam, the grade you earn will stand. You will not be given another opportunity to increase your mark.
If an exam has been rescheduled
If your in-person exam has been cancelled and a remote exam sitting is not made available, you will be expected to write the exam in person when campus reopens. Your instructor will provide details on this. You are encouraged to continue preparing for the exam.
Cancelled in-term evaluations (midterms, presentations) are rescheduled by the course instructor.
Cancelled final exams are rescheduled by Enrolment Services as follows:
Winter Term 1 examinations will be rescheduled for the Saturday (and when necessary, the Sunday) following the first full week of classes in Winter Term 2.
Winter Term 2 and Summer examinations will be rescheduled on the day(s) following the last day of the formal final exam period for that term.
The location, time, and date for your rescheduled final exam will be posted at students.ubc.ca/enrolment/exams/exam-schedule. Your rescheduled final exam will also be listed in your final exam schedule on the SSC (Student Service Centre).
If you are unable to sit your rescheduled exam in person
There may be situations in which a rescheduled exam conflicts with another course or event.
For in-term evaluations: Unless you have been given different instructions on who to contact, the expectation is that you contact the course instructor directly to understand what the new arrangement will be.
For rescheduled final exams: The Undergraduate Office will send a survey to students who have indicated that they are not able to sit the rescheduled exam and determine their eligibility to write a rescheduled COMM, COHR, COMR, and COEC exam(s) remotely. Your instructor may post an announcement on Canvas informing you about this survey.
The survey link will not be published so you will not be able to access it elsewhere.
It is important to note that no time-zone accommodation will be made for rescheduled final exams written remotely.
For rescheduled final exams, the Centre for Accessibility (CFA) will provide support to eligible students, with approved exam accommodations, for final exams rescheduled by Enrolment Services. You must be a registered client of CFA to receive this support.