Academic Year Policy

The purpose of this policy is the establishment of the Academic Year. The Academic Year identifies the key dates for Vancouver Community College's (VCC; the College) academic programming and institutional operations.

The Academic Year is published well in advance to ensure students have predictability in their academic lives so they can plan ahead and take advantage of educational opportunities. This also enables College operations to schedule in advance to improve overall service to students.

This policy applies to all programs, courses and College employees.

1. The Academic Year is based on standard practice in post-secondary education, along with input from the Students' Union of VCC, operational units, and Deans. Other factors include, but are not limited to:
   
   
   
   1. Impact on students
   
   
   2. Transfer arrangements, if any
   
   
   3. Sufficient notice time
   
   
   4. Facility impact
   
   
   5. Student FTE impact
   
   
   6. Grade submission impact
   
   
   7. External constraint implications (such as Industry Training Authority requirements, external examination dates, availability of practicum placements and external funding requirements)
   
   
   
   


2. The College operates on a September to August, 12-month academic year.


3. Important dates are provided to students with as much advance notice as possible, so they are able to plan their lives around their education at VCC.


4. The start and end dates for all programs and courses will be established in advance of the student registration process.


5. Dates relating to the Academic Year will be communicated via the College website.

• Academic Schedule (401)
• Admissions (301)
• Tuition and Fees (310)
• Tuition and Fee Refund (311)
• Tuition Fee Waiver for Employees (312)
• Unscheduled Campus Closures (143)

• College and Institute Act, RSBC 1996, c 52