I’m pleased to share an update on the Strategic Plan deliverable: “Initiate and define a student attendance and academic concessions policy and update associated practices to better equip students to understand and navigate course expectations, improving accessibility, inclusion, and communication.” This important work supports our commitment to transforming teaching and learning at BCIT.
At BCIT, we are dedicated to student success by ensuring our policies reflect leading practices across post-secondary education while staying true to our values. While we strongly encourage students to attend all course activities, we also recognize that life circumstances can sometimes make this difficult.
In June 2025, Education Council approved the new Student Attendance & Academic Concessions Policy and Procedure, which will come into effect in Fall 2026. This new policy will replace the current Policy 5101: Student Regulations. It is the result of extensive consultation with our community, including eight focus groups and two rounds of community reviews. The updated policy offers clear guidance on the responsibilities of students, faculty, and the Institute when it comes to attendance, academic concessions, and accommodations.
To support a smooth transition, we are developing a variety of tools and resources. For faculty, this will include a practical job aid with templates, advice on addressing absenteeism and group work, examples and scenarios, and strategies for orienting students to attendance expectations.
We look forward to sharing these resources later this academic year and to working together to ensure a positive experience for both students and faculty. If your department would like to start conversations about early implementation, please connect with me or with Krista Lambie, Senior Director, Student Success.
Thank you for your continued commitment to student success,
Laura Vail
Associate Vice President, Students
Commitment: Transforming teaching and learning
Initiatives:
- Educational innovation and real-world learning
- Holistic student development
- Comprehensive student engagement and support
Deliverable: Initiate and define a student attendance and academic concessions policy and update associated practices to better equip students to understand and navigate course expectations, improving accessibility, inclusion, and communication.