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Academics » Policies » Grading


Academics

Grading Policies

Grading Scale

The College has replaced the current letter grading system (F through A+) with an exclusively numerical grading system. Grades will now be awarded and reported in 0.1 increments, with 0.0 being the lowest possible grade and 4.3 the highest possible grade.

GPA Calculation

Because under the old system grades were reported in both letter and number form (though with fewer increments), the old system will be folded into the new. Under the new policy, however, grade point averages will be rounded to the nearest tenth point. This change reflects the reality that the prior practice of computing averages to five or six decimal places is statistically unsound and creates statistically meaningless distinctions among students.

Honors and Academic Eligibility

All minimum and maximum grades for passing courses, graduation, honors, and so on will remain the same, but will be referred to by numbers only. For example, a grade of 0.8 will be the minimum passing grade, a cumulative average of 2.0 will be required to remain in good standing, and students will be required to complete at least two-thirds of the required first-year courses with a grade point average of at least 2.0.

Class Rank

Because grade point averages will all be rounded to the nearest tenth point, several students may have the same grade point average. To report information concerning class rank, the Dean of Students will prepare a summary each semester showing the class rank based on grade point averages. For students having the same average, class rank will be reported as the highest rank assigned to a particular grade point average along with the number of students with the same average. To illustrate, if three students share the highest grade point average the class rank for one of those students would be reported as 1st in the class tied with two other students. Similarly, if ten students share an average of 3.3 and the highest assigned rank for those ten would be 23rd, each student would report a class rank of 23rd tied with nine other students. If you have questions regarding any aspect of the new grading policy or its application, feel free to contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Temporary Grades

When, for good cause shown (such as serious illness or other disability), a student fails to complete all requirements for a course in which he or she is enrolled, the course instructor may assign the student a temporary grade of "I" (incomplete).

A student receiving this grade should arrange with the instructor to take whatever action is needed to remove the grade at the earliest possible date, and, in any event, within one year after the course was attempted. A grade of "I" which is not removed within the succeeding year in which the student is enrolled will revert to "F." However, a student need not be formally enrolled at the College of Law to remove a temporary grade by examination.