Registrar addresses concerns over delayed Fall 2024 grade postings
McMaster University registrar outlines causes for delayed grade postings amid student concerns
Darran Fernandez, McMaster University registrar, has addressed student concerns regarding the delays in posting final grades for the Fall 2024 term to Mosaic. Speaking in response to frustrations shared by students on social media, Fernandez outlined the university's grading process and provided context on current delays.
According to Fernandez, McMaster typically requires final grades to be submitted and posted within seven days of the end of the exam period. This process is supported by a structured plan communicated to faculty each term. However, exam schedules that align closely with holidays or breaks can sometimes impact the timeline.
"On the administrative end, we have a date that we convey to faculties and departments. A date that we expect for all grades to be in and for students to be fully graded [and] we follow up with [them] should there be any missing grades," Fernandez explained in an interview with The Silhouette.
On the administrative end, we have a date that we convey to faculties and departments. A date that we expect for all grades to be in and for students to be fully graded [and] we follow up with [them] should there be any missing grades.
Darran Fernandez, University Registrar
McMaster University
Fernandez emphasized that McMaster's grade submission policy aligns with national standards. "On average, it's a five to seven day window provided to instructors," said Fernandez. As chair of the Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada, Fernandez highlighted that McMaster is well-informed of general practices and normally adheres to them.
Acknowledging the challenges delayed grades pose for students, Fernandez outlined the university's efforts to minimize disruptions. For students requiring Fall term grades as prerequisites for Winter 2025 courses, McMaster ensures that students are not immediately removed from their courses due to pending grades.
Fernandez also noted that some Canadian graduate programs accept applications during the first weeks of January and that many institutions are understanding of minor delays in transcript submissions. "We do advise that [students] check their grade record to see that the grade is there before they make [a transcript] request," said Fernandez.
He encouraged students encountering issues to contact their faculty offices for support, describing these offices as the primary resource for resolving grade-related concerns.
Looking ahead, Fernandez expressed confidence in McMaster's ability to maintain its usual consistency in grade processing.
"By way of our practices, I get the impression that people are very diligent in submitting according to the deadline . . . but that still doesn't make these outlier situations go away. There's obviously every intent on our end to make sure that a student can progress seamlessly between courses, in particular when prerequisites are involved."
There's obviously every intent on our end to make sure that a student can progress seamlessly between courses, in particular when prerequisites are involved.
Darran Fernandez, University Registrar
McMaster University
While he described the typical grade submission process and steps to mitigate the impact of delays, Fernandez indicated that he was not fully aware of the specific outliers or why they have taken so long to be resolved.
Fernandez expressed empathy for the stress students may experience due to delayed grades, acknowledging that additional stress on top of challenging courses is unwelcome and expressed confidence that the issues will be rectified.
Students are encouraged to monitor their grades on Mosaic, consult faculty advisors for support and report any concerns to their respective faculty offices.