Grades and Examinations

Quizzes and hour examinations are given at intervals throughout the semester as determined by each course instructor. Final examinations take place at the end of each semester. Course grades reflect the instructor’s best judgment of the student’s overall performance. A professor’s policy for grades and examinations normally is included in a course syllabus.

Grades of C-, D+, D, and D-, though passing, fall below the minimum grade point average required for graduation. Student’s grades are available online at the end of each term. Students can request a printed copy from the Registrar’s Office prior to the end of the term. In addition to being available online, a copy of fall semester grades for all first-year students will be mailed to their home address.

The College does not recognize airline schedules or other traveling plans as a legitimate reason for rescheduling final examinations. Students must check the final exam schedule before making travel plans. This schedule is usually available by the fifth week of each semester and can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

Midterm Grades

Faculty are asked to evaluate students’ performances at midterm, and only grades of D or F are reported to the Academic Progress Committee and the students’ advisers. One copy of the midterm grade report is mailed to students at their campus address and a second copy to students at the home address. These grades serve to identify and assist students encoun-tering academic difficulty. They are not recorded on the permanent record.

Pass/Fail Option

Juniors and seniors in good standing whose cumulative average is 2.0 or higher may in each semester take one course pass/fail, but in no case may a student take more than four pass/fail courses to be counted toward degree requirements. The course must be outside the major field of concen-tration and outside related courses as defined by the major department. The pass/fail option normally may not be used for courses that the student intends to count for minor credit or for those used to satisfy the requirements of the Common Course of Study. Courses that are consid-ered introductory in any field or that are designed specifically as exploratory courses for nonmajors may not be taken for pass/fail credit. Further, courses offered by departments within the same division as the student’s major depart-ment are normally excluded.

Students must obtain the permission of the Academic Progress Committee before enrolling in a course for pass/fail credit. They must meet all the regularly stated prerequisites for admission to the course and all the course requirements, such as attendance, assigned work, and exami-nations. Pass grades received under the plan do not affect a student’s cumulative average, but failing grades are included in the student’s cumulative average.

Students taking courses pass/fail may petition to convert to a grade basis at any time before midterm. Students may petition to change from conventional grading to pass/fail within, but not after, the first two weeks of classes. If a student drops a course with the pass/fail option after the term has begun, the student may not transfer the pass/fail option to another course during the term.

Students should be aware that many graduate and professional schools respond unfavorably to pass/fail grades.

Attendance

Because the formal bases of a college learning experience are the lecture, the laboratory, and the discussion group, class attendance is expected of all students. Faculty members establish and maintain attendance requirements in their courses and must inform students and the Office of the Dean of the College of these policies. Students are responsible for meeting class and examination schedules.

Only absences necessitated by the following will be excused: 1) illness or other health-related reasons certified by the Bailey Health Center; 2) family emer-gencies and extraordinary circumstances as determined by the Dean of the College Office; 3) academic course activities; 4) college varsity intercollegiate athletic competition. Students who expect to have an excused absence should notify their instructors well in advance so course work may be made up in a mutually agreeable time.

Students who become seriously ill, whether at school or at home during vacations, and are unable to attend classes should notify the Bailey Health Center and the Office of the Dean of the College. Unwillingness to meet attendance obligations on the part of a student may lead to poor performance in the course.

Advisers and Advising System

First-year students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree normally are assigned advisers within the department of their intended majors. First-year students in a Bachelor of Arts program are assigned advisers (from any department) by the Dean of the College. During the second semester of their sophomore year, all students must petition to enter the junior class and formally declare a major. They are assigned advisers by the major department head.

Academic Support Services/Tutoring

Students may seek services for academic assistance from the dean assigned to their class in the office of the Dean of the College or from the Academic Resource Center in Hogg Hall. Programs and services that are designed to help students reach their academic potential are provided. Personal evaluation of study skills, habits, and attitudes for academic success; peer tutoring and counseling; and workshops to enhance academic success are offered throughout the year. A resource directory of services offered by departments, student service agencies, and the dean’s office is available in the office of the Dean of the College, 1 Markle Hall.