VII. CLA Grading Policies
Grading Systems
Two
grading systems exist in the University: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-,
D+, D, F (A-F) and Satisfactory-No credit (S-N). The grading policies
described below apply to undergraduates in CLA courses. (See the Graduate School Bulletin for specific grading policies and procedures for graduate students.)
Grade Standards Determined by Instructors
University
grade definitions establish the qualities of performance expected at
different grade levels. Instructors define grade standards for their
courses in conformity with their departmental policies. Grade
definitions assume that instructors, knowing their courses' basic
requirements, can determine when students meet or exceed them. When
most students term after term exceed the basic requirements or,
conversely, fail to meet them, the implication is either that the
instructor has misjudged reasonable expectations or that the course is
inappropriate for the students enrolled.
Grades Defined by University
Grades
describe levels of achievement. University legislation prescribes the
grades and symbols that will be reported on the student's transcript.
A-F Grade Base
| A | Achievement outstanding
relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements (no grade
of A+ should be submitted; A, 4 grade points; A-, 3.67 grade points). | | B | Achievement significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements (B+, 3.33 grade points; B, 3 grade points; B-, 2.67 grade points). | | C | Achievement meeting the basic course requirements in every respect (C+, 2.33 grade points; C, 2 grade points; C-, 1.67 grade points). | | D | Achievement worthy of credit
even though it does not fully meet the basic course requirements in
every respect (D+, 1.33 grade points; D, 1 grade point; no grade of D-
should be submitted). | | F | Performance failing to meet the basic course requirements (0 grade points). |
S-N Grade Base
| S | Achievement satisfactory
to the instructor of the course in which the student is registered.
This definition implies that the standards for S may vary from one
course to another; however, the work required for an S may not be less
than that required for a C- (1.67 grade points). It is
important that every instructor clarifies the course expectations for
an S grade at the outset of the course and state them in the syllabus. The S is not figured into the grade point average. | | N | No credit.
Prior to fall 1986, this symbol was assigned to students who did not
earn an S on the S-N grade base or at least a D on the A, B, C, D, N
grade base. The use of N is now restricted to student performance not
meriting an S on the S-N grade base. The N is not figured into the GPA. |
Choice of Grading Systems
The
University's general policy is that courses are available on both S-N
and A-F grade bases and that the student may choose either system.
Courses may, however, be restricted to either the S-N or A-F grading
system if the CLA Course Review Committee approves.
Students
choose an A-F or S-N grading system for each course for which they
register. However, all major or minor program requirements must be
taken on the A-F grade base unless a course is offered as "S-N only."
Prospective graduate and professional school students should be urged
to register on the A-F system for all work related to their future
specialization. Students can change between grading systems by
submitting a Course Request form to the Registration Center, 200 Fraser
Hall or 130 West Bank Skyway, or make the changes themselves through
the One Stop Student Services website, but may do so only through the first two weeks of classes during fall and spring semesters. Deadlines for changing grading systems are found at the One Stop Student Services website.
Maximum Limits for S-N Grades
In
order to complete a degree at the University, a student must take a
minimum of 30 semester credits offered through the University,
including 24 credits taken after admission to CLA. Seventy-five
percent, or at least 22 credits of the 30 credit minimum, bust be taken
on the A-F grade basis (with grades of D or higher). No courses taken
for major or minor credit may be taken on the S-N grade basis unless
the courses are designated "S-N only" and approved by the major
department. Students are urged to consult advisers about S-N
registrations because many professional schools and graduate programs
restrict the use of S-N grades for program prerequisites and
requirements.
Other Grade Symbols | I | Coursework is incomplete
and the instructor 1) has a "reasonable expectation" that the student
can successfully complete the unfinished work on his/her own no later
than one year from the last day of classes and 2) believes that
legitimate reasons exist to justify extending the deadline for course
completion. If a student does not complete the requirements for the
course and does not request an incomplete, a grade reflecting the
student's performance in the course should be assigned; however, under
these circumstances, a grade of I should not be assigned. Assigning a
grade of I when a student has not requested it might delay necessary
intervention with a student having academic difficulty. Each
instructor's policies for awarding an I must be announced in class and
included in the course syllabus the first week of the term.
The student and instructor must fill out a written agreement stating
the terms for completion whenever an incomplete is requested and
approved. This form, Agreement for the Completion of Incomplete Work can be downloaded here. The information (without the form) is available to students.
Students assigned I's must complete the unfinished work by the date
agreed upon with the instructor or, if no date is specified, no later
than one year after the last day of final examinations of the term in
which the I is given.
Students are expected to make up the work
on their own; if completion of the work requires that a student attend
the class in substantial part a second time, assigning an I is not
appropriate. I grades received during fall 1988 or later lapse to Fs
(or Ns if taken on the S-N system) if not completed within one year
after the last day of final examination of the term in which the I is
given, or the end of the student's next term of enrollment, whichever
comes first. | | T | Indicated a grade transferred from another institution. | | V | Registration
as an auditor permits attendance and, with the instructor's permission,
participation in course activities. No credit or grade is earned.
Beginning fall 1999, a course in which a V has been posted may
subsequently be retaken for credit. Regular attendance without
registration is not authorized. | | W | Official withdrawal
from a course after the second week of classes. Cancellations through
the first two weeks of class are not recorded. Students must submit
cancellation requests to the One Stop Student Services Center, 200
Fraser Hall, 130 West Bank Skyway or 130 Coffey Hall, or cancel the
course themselves through the One Stop Student Services website through
the eighth week. (College approval is required thereafter.) The Office
of the Registrar posts the W on the basis of the student canceling the
course; the instructor does not report it. | | K | Course is still in progress and a grade cannot yet be assigned. | | X | Continuation
in a course or courses is necessary because grades cannot be determined
until the full sequence is completed. The instructor must submit a
grade for each X when the
student has completed the sequence. The X may be used only in courses
designated as continuation courses on form A-96. |
Grades for Repeated Courses
A
student may repeat a course once. When a student repeats a course, (a)
both grades for the course shall appear on the official transcript, (b)
the course credits may not be counted more than once toward degree and
program requirements, and (c) only the last enrollment for the course shall count in the student's grade point average.
College Policies and Practices for Various Grades
The S
("satisfactory" work) may differ among course levels--a graduate
course, an introductory course, an honors section, a major
prerequisite--and between disciplines. The instructor may set different
tasks or establish different criteria for S-N and A-F registrants.
Because students frequently have difficulty understanding that S is
used differently between and even within courses, it is important that
instructors clarify the standards they require for satisfactory (S)
work. (See "S-N Grade Base" above.)
Undergraduate and non-degree-seeking students must submit work to make up an I grade within one year
of the last final examination of the term in which the I was granted.
If the work is not submitted by that time, the I will automatically
change to an F (A-F grade base) or an N (S-N grade base). Instructors
are expected to turn in the new grade within four weeks of the date
work is submitted. Instructors who permit students to complete a course
after an I has lapsed can change the F or N to another grade by
submitting a change of grade form.
I's earned fall 1988 through
summer session II 1998 lapsed to F's or N's, depending upon the grade
base, when coursework was not completed within the student's next
quarter in residence. An instructor who permits a student to complete a
course after an I has lapsed can change the F to another grade by
submitting a change of grade form.
I's earned fall 1986 through
summer session II 1988 remain as permanent grades if not completed. I's
on the record for longer than a calendar year may be made up only with
instructor or departmental approval. Usually a student is expected to
reregister for a course left unfinished for a year or longer and
complete it as a new course.
W is always
assigned when courses are canceled after the first two weeks of class.
To receive a W, students must submit a Course Request form to the
Registration Center, 200 Fraser Hall or 130 West Bank Skyway, or must
cancel the course themselves through the One Stop Student Services
website before the end of the eighth week of classes; the instructor's
awareness of a student leaving the course is not enough to ensure
cancellation.
To remain in good academic standing, students
admitted to the UMTC campus fall 1999 or later must maintain at least a
2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.0 term GPA. Students must earn grades of at
least C- (1.67 grade points) in a course for it to count toward the
major, and a 2.0 GPA in the major courses is required to complete the
major.
Providing Mid-Term Grade Alerts
Beginning fall
2002, instructors in all 1-xxx courses will provide a mid-term alert
for students who appear to be in danger of recieving a grade of D, F,
or N based on their performance through the sixth week of the semester.
For the full University Senate policy, go to http://www1.umn.edu/usenate/policies/midtermalerts.html.
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Office of the Assistant Dean
106 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant St. SE
Minneapolis, MN
55455
E-Mail
claadean@umn.edu
Phone
(612)625-3846
Hours
M - F 8:00am - 4:30pm
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