Frequently Asked Question

Notes from Health Services:

Notes will be granted by the examining doctor or nurse in the following circumstances:

1. You are presently ill
2. We have treated you in the past for an ongoing health concern (you must be seen on the date of your test/midterm/exam)

• Please note that if the examining physician or nurse is not able to substantiate a medical concern, you will need to speak to your professor or Dean of your Faculty directly to discuss your options.
• Please refer to the information in your Undergraduate calendar for more info.

There are occasions when students fall ill and are unable to attend classes, write scheduled tests, or meet the deadlines for midterm assignments. Faculty members may offer, at their discretion and without proof of a medical excuse slip, alternate arrangements so that students are able to satisfy the requirements of a course. In the event that a faculty member requests a medical excuse slip, students must comply with one of the following:

1. A student must be examined by a member of the WLU Health Services staff at the time of their illness. The decision to issue a medical excuse slip and the dates for which the excuse slip is valid will be made by the examining doctor or nurse.
2. A student must be examined by a qualified off-campus physician at the time of their illness. The decision to issue a medical excuse slip and the dates for which the excuse slip is valid will be made by the examining doctor who must be informed of the reason for the request.

Final University Examinations:

A student who fails to appear, or is compelled because of personal illness or death in the family to miss an examination, must submit a petition requesting a deferred examination, along with supporting documentation, no later than one week following the scheduled examination. If a student becomes ill during an examination, the exam paper must be given to the presiding officer and a petition request must be submitted for a deferred examination.

A student who wishes to be considered for a deferred examination prior to the official examination period must submit a petition requesting a deferred examination. Supporting documentation must be submitted within a reasonable time before the scheduled examination in order that the committee can reach a decision before the examination date.

The decision to grant a deferred examination is an academic one. Questions are to be referred to the Dean’s office of the faculty the student is registered in.

Health Services has extended hours during December and April

Deferred Examinations:

A deferred examination is one granted by the petition’s committee of the faculty the student is registered in, for a student who was compelled to miss a final examination because of documented extenuating circumstances. A fee will be charged per examination and is not refundable. Term work must be completed in the determination of the final grade.