Academic Success Centre
Academic Success Centre
Am I required to work with SPARC, or is this optional?
Participation is totally optional. We encourage you to connect with us by dropping by in person, booking an appointment, or reaching out by email or Teams chat.
Can anyone book an appointment with SPARC, or do I need to be invited?
We have limited capacity, so we are currently only working with students on warning, probation, or required to withdraw (RTW). If you aren't on Academic Warning but would like help improving your grades, reach out to the Academic Success Centre at asc@ufv.ca to learn more about tutoring, learning strategist appointments, workshops, and study groups. We also highly recommend booking an appointment with an Academic Advisor.
If I say no at first, can I come back later in the semester if things get harder?
Yes, we're happy to work with you whenever you’re ready.
What if I try it and decide it’s not for me?
We’ll be sorry to see you go! There is no obligation to continue if you feel SPARC’s support is not working for you. We welcome your feedback about how UFV can better support you in the future.
Is there a cost to participate?
No, working with SPARC and the Academic Success Centre is free.
What does it mean to be on Academic Warning or Academic Probation?
Your academic standing is your official status at UFV, and is measured by your academic achievement. It’s updated at the following “checkpoints”:
The different levels of academic standing are as follows. One of these statuses will be assigned at every checkpoint:
Good Academic Standing: A student is in Good Academic Standing when their cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is 2.00 or higher at a checkpoint. That means you’re averaging a grade of C in all the courses you’ve attempted. Learn more about UFV’s grading scale here.
Academic Warning: If your CGPA is below 2.00 at a checkpoint, you are placed on Academic Warning, which is an early notice that your academic performance needs improvement. You can continue studying while on Academic Warning, but are limited to taking no more than 10 credits per semester.
Academic Probation: If your CGPA is still below 2.00 at the next checkpoint while you are on Academic Warning, you move to Academic Probation. This is similar to Academic Warning and the 10-credit limitation is still in place, but you are now at risk of being required to withdraw if your GPA remains low after your next checkpoint.
Continued Academic Probation: While on Academic Probation, if you reach a checkpoint while your GPA is above 2.0 but your cumulative GPA still remains under 2.0, you will remain on Continued Academic Probation. You can remain on Continued Academic Probation indefinitely, as long as your semester GPA remains above 2.0 at each checkpoint.
Required to Withdraw: If you are on Academic Probation and your semester GPA remains at 2.0 or lower at a checkpoint, you may be Required to Withdraw. If this happens, you must take two semesters away from UFV before you can return.
How do I get off Academic Warning or Academic Probation?
At any point, improving your CGPA to 2.00 or higher returns you to good academic standing. Learn more in Policy 92: Undergraduate Continuance.
Does being invited to work with SPARC mean I’m at risk of being required to withdraw?
No. We’re here to help you before things get to the point where you would be required to withdraw. If you’ve been invited to work with SPARC, you are on Academic Warning, which is the first stage of UFV’s continuance policy.
If you’re not sure what your academic standing is, you can check in myUFV, or you can contact us at sparc@ufv.ca and we’ll help you find out.
What’s the difference between a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and a grade point average (GPA)?
Your GPA (grade point average) reflects your average grade for a specific semester. Your CGPA (cumulative grade point average) represents your average grade across all courses you’ve taken at UFV, not just a single semester.
How do I book an appointment?
Book an appointment online, or follow the link you received in your invitation email.
Having trouble? Email us at sparc@ufv.ca and we’ll help you book your appointment.
How often should I meet with SPARC?
That depends on your preferences. When you first meet with a member of our team, we’ll ask you how frequently you’d like to work with us throughout the semester. Some students prefer weekly check-ins, others prefer to work with us less frequently. Just tell us what works best for you.
How long are SPARC appointments, and how many will I have?
We usually book appointments for about 45 minutes. The number of appointments is up to you depending on the level of support you’d like, but we can work with you throughout the whole semester. We can talk about your preferences during your intake appointment and find out what works best for you.
What if I miss an appointment or need to reschedule?
No problem, life happens! Email us at sparc@ufv.ca and we can help you rebook your appointment. If possible, it’s helpful to let us know ahead of time that you won’t be able to make an appointment.
Can I bring a support person to my appointments?
Absolutely. You are welcome to bring family members, friends, partners, and even other UFV employees you feel safe with. Our offices are fairly small, so if you plan to bring more than one support person to your appointment, please let us know ahead of time so we can book an appropriately sized space.
Is this more about study skills, academic planning, or my overall situation?
A little bit of each, since these topics often overlap. Our team can help you make an academic plan, set you up with some good skills to help you achieve those goals, and connect you with other free supports at UFV to help you if you’re having a hard time.
Can SPARC help me figure out whether I should reduce my course load or take a break?
We will not make any decisions for you, but we can offer guidance and advice to help you plan your next steps.
I feel lost, burned out, and I have no idea what to do. Can you help?
You’re not alone. In fact, this is an incredibly common experience, and most of us on the SPARC team have felt that way too when we were students. We are not counsellors, but we can help you connect with other supports that can help you through this time. If you’re feeling stuck, we encourage you to come to just one appointment.
Will my instructors or other people be told what I share with SPARC? Is my participation in this program going to be on my academic record or affect my status in Canada?
No. We take our legal and ethical duty of confidentiality very seriously and do not share your personal information with anyone outside the SPARC team unless we have your permission. Your participation in SPARC is not listed on your academic transcript or any other formal record that could affect your academic career or your status in Canada.
What if I feel embarrassed or overwhelmed talking about my grades?
It’s okay to not be okay. We’re here to help you and our office is a safe, confidential place.
Do I have to talk about personal topics?
If you’re struggling in your personal life and it’s affecting your grades, it’ll help us to know more about your situation so we can give you the right information and support. However, you only need to share as much as you are comfortable with. Personal information you disclose to us will be kept confidential. Please note that we cannot provide personal counselling, although we can refer you to free counselling services at UFV.
Have a question that wasn't answered? Send us an email and we will usually respond within two business days.