Arts and Science Undergraduate Society

The era of percentage grades is coming to an end – percentage grades are being replaced by letter grades and grade point averages (GPAs). In addition, QCARD is being replaced by a new system. To help with this transition period, we have developed this page that outlines what has happened to-date and what will be happening in the near future during this transition period. This page also provides some resources for how you can ensure you transition smoothly. If you have any suggestions for this page please email us at feedback@asus.queensu.ca.

UPDATES

February 9, 2011 – University Registrar gives preview of the NEW QCARD called SOLUS. Students can view a broadcast of the overview by clicking here as well as read up on some common questions.

March 1, 2011 – AMS holds a town hall regarding the tuition payment deadline change from September 30th to September 1st. Please email president@ams.queensu.ca for the minutes of this meeting. Please click here to see a list of FAQs regarding these new tuition payment changes.

BRIEF TIMELINE

May, 2009 – Queen’s Senate approves the implementation of a new grading scheme, based on letter grades and a numerical grade point average (GPA).

December, 2009 – Queen’s Board of Trustees approves the project to create a new system, known as the Queen’s University Administrative Systems Replacement (QUASR), to replace the current system, QCARD.

October, 2010 - Queen’s launches the first phase, for student administration, of the new system to replace QCARD.

December, 2010 – Grades will still be recorded as percentage grades on Fall semester transcripts.

March, 2011 – The student release of the new QCARD will be launched. For changes in terminology involved with the switch, please visit this ‘Translating the Terminology‘ page

April, 2011 - Students who are graduating will have no change in their grades and will see their transcript as percentage grades only. Those who are not graduating will still receive percentage grades, but will also have a cumulative GPA listed. You can calculate your GPA using this GPA calculator.

May, 2011 – Students registered in Summer 2011 and any semester thereafter will have their grades recorded as letter grades. Any past grades will still be reported as percentages, but any new grades will be reported as letter grades with a corresponding GPA as seen in this chart of the new letter grading scheme. The course weighting scheme will also be changed as per this new weighting system, where 0.5 credit courses become 3.0 unit courses.

THE NEW GRADING SCHEME

Main differences:

- grades will no longer be reported as percentages: grades will now be recorded as letter grades
- averages will not appear as cumulative percentages: averages will now be reported as GPAs
- failures will no longer be excluded: failures will now be included in the calculation of overall average (GPA)

THE NEW QCARD (called SOLUS)

Main differences:

- will be open 24/7
- one term courses will be weighted as 3.0 units and two term courses as 6.0 units
- full tuition will be due on September 1st as opposed to September 30th
- concentrations (majors, medials, etc.) will now be known as “Plans“
- degree programs (B.A., B.Sc, etc.) will be known as “Programs“
- spring and summer terms will now be collectively known as the “summer term“

IMPORTANT LINKS

SOLUS InfoCentre: has important information regarding the new grading scheme, tuition schedule, SOLUS and transcripts.
SOLUS Info Video: overview of the new SOLUS and other FAQs