Comprehensive Grading Policy: Introduction Feb 15, 2012

Summary In Fall 2010 APC was charged with developing a comprehensive grading policy Passed +/- grading and Permanent F Spr Three additional changes: §1: Reclassification of NC §2: Limit on course repetition §3: New Grade Replacement

§1: Reclassification of NC Motion #1: The committee recommends that the policy with respect to the use of the “NC” be changed as follows: 1) All mentions of the “NC” grade that currently exist in the student handbook, college catalog, and official grading policy, will be excised. Appropriate language reflecting the new policy will be substituted. 2) In the case where a student voluntarily withdraws from a course after the course census date and before the withdrawal deadline, a “W” will be assigned, indicating a “withdrawal”. No academic credit will be awarded. 3) In the case where a student is withdrawn from a course due to a student-initiated administrative appeal process, an “AW” will be recorded. No academic credit will be awarded. 4) In the case that a student retakes a course, both grades will remain on the transcript.

Potential Consequences of Voting: 4a) If §3 fails passage: The first grade will be annotated indicating that the grade does not count for academic credit or GPA calculation. The later grade will be used for GPA calculation. 4b.i) If §3 succeeds: A student may petition for grade replacement for the course for up to 18 credit hours. If so, the first grade will be annotated indicating that the grade does not count for academic credit or GPA calculation. The later grade will be used for GPA calculation. 4b.ii) If §3 succeeds: A student may opt not to petition for grade replacement for a course. If so, all grades are used for GPA calculation, but only one attempt is counted for fulfilling graduation requirements.

§2: Course Repetition Motion #2: The committee recommends that the following policy be implemented with respect to course repetition: 1) The number of times that any individual course may be taken is two. The department may approve additional repetitions. 2) Courses that are designated as “repeatable” courses such as music ensembles and theater presentations shall have no restriction on maximum number of enrollments. 3) An Administrative Withdrawal (AW) from a course will not count as an enrollment. All other grade notations will count towards the number of attempts.

Potential Consequences of Voting: 4a) If §3 fails passage: The first grade will be annotated indicating that the grade does not count for academic credit or GPA calculation. The later grade will be used for GPA calculation. 4b.i) If §3 succeeds: A student may petition for grade replacement for the course for up to 18 credit hours. If so, the first grade will be annotated indicating that the grade does not count for academic credit or GPA calculation. The later grade will be used for GPA calculation. 4.b.ii) If §3 succeeds: A student may opt not to petition for grade replacement for a course. If so, all grades are used for GPA calculation, but only one attempt is counted for fulfilling graduation requirements.

§3: Grade Replacement Motion #3: The committee recommends that the policy with respect to the use of the “Last Grade Stands” be changed as follows: 1) All mentions of the “Last Grade Stands” policy that currently exist in the student handbook, college catalog, and official grading policy will be changed to the term “Grade Replacement.” 2) Grade Replacement may be utilized for a maximum of 18 credit hours *. Students must request that Grade Replacement be applied for an individual course. 3) The first grade will be annotated indicating that the grade does not count for academic credit or GPA calculation. The later grade will be used for GPA calculation. 4) A grade will not be changed after a degree has been conferred. *A student with 16 hrs of grade replacement in effect may not replace a 3 credit hour course.

Typical semester timeline From registration to census date: A student may add/drop at leisure. From census date to withdrawal date : A student who withdraws gets a NC on their transcript.

Case 1 A student has a medical issue mid-semester after the 10 th week (past the Withdrawal deadline) but before 75% of the class has been taken (thereby not qualifying for an “I” grade.)

Case 1 Old policy: They are assessed in the course for whatever work has occurred up to this point and receive that grade. Retaking the class changes the grade to an NC. New policy: They apply to the appropriate administrating body for AW.

Case 2 (Regardless of what happens), a student initiates and successfully petitions for a Tuition and Grade Appeal

Case 2 Old policy: No record of the student’s enrollment appears in the transcript. New policy: No record of the student’s enrollment appears in the transcript.

Case 3 A student withdraws from a class during the withdrawal period for personal reasons, e.g., problems with childcare, job change, illness of a parent, etc. The student takes the class over and receives a D. The student wants to take the class a third time.

Case 3 Old Policy: The student retakes the class. An NC appears on the transcript for the previous two grades (assuming successful completion.)

New Policy: Case 3 The student applies to the person or committee in the department responsible for allowing additional repetitions and are granted permission, based on the hardship encountered in the first semester. The student takes the class again and receive a B. The student then applies for grade replacement for the D, presumably after talking to his or her advisor about whether or not this would be beneficial. The student has now used 3 hours of their 18 hours of grade replacement. They have raised their final GPA by.05, based on the addition of 6 quality points to their total and the presumption of completion of 120 hours for their degree. Transcript: Fall 2013Spring 2014 Fall 2014 Class 102: WClass 102: DClass 102: B

Case 4 A veteran has problems with 15 credit hours (five classes) as the spouse suddenly leaves the student. The student is at the end of the semester, not passing two courses, but realizes the that an NC would mean paying back money. The student stops attending and takes two F grades, but does well in the other three classes.

Case 4 Old Policy: Case 4 The student retakes the courses and an NC replaces the old grades. New Policy: Case 4The student has the option to re-take both those classes and replace the grades by applying for Grade Replacement. The old grade remains with notation that the grade is not included in the GPA.

Case 5 A student enrolls in a course and gets a “D”. The student can register for the same course a second time. The student does and gets a B in the second attempt. The student never applies for “Grade Replacement” and both grades stay in the transcript (and CAPP report) and are averaged out in the overall GPA but only one of the courses counts for overall needed credits.