Grades

A. DEFINITION OF LETTER GRADES

The following describes the level of performance for each letter grade designation.  Grades may be modified by plus (+) or minus (-).

A grade of A indicates exceptional scholastic performance, as follows:

  1. A meeting of the stated requirements for the course in preparation, outside reading, and class participation.
  2. Distinctive understanding of course material by presenting evidence of ability to analyze critically and synthesize creatively.
  3. Sound techniques of scholarship in all projects.
  4. Creativity, imagination, sound judgment, and intellectual curiosity in relating the course material to other areas of intellectual investigation.

A grade of B indicates superior scholastic performance, as follows:

  1. A meeting of the stated requirements for the course in preparation, outside reading, and class participation.
  2. Better than average understanding of course material by presenting evidence of ability to produce significant generalizations and draw valid implications.
  3. Understanding of techniques of scholarship in all projects.
  4. Sustained interest and exhibition of the ability to communicate the ideas and concepts which are part of the subject matter of the course.

A grade of C indicates good scholastic performance, as follows:

  1. A meeting of the stated requirements for the course in preparation, outside reading, and class participation.
  2. Show satisfactory understanding of course material as shown in committing few errors in fact and judgment when discussing the material.
  3. Indication of some competence in the techniques of scholarship.
  4. Exhibition of interest in the subject matter, and of capacity in understanding the concepts and ideas which are part of the subject matter of the course.

A grade of D indicates poor scholastic performance, as follows:

  1. A meeting of the stated requirements for the course in preparation, outside reading, and class participation.
  2. Inferior understanding of course material as evidenced by inability to recapitulate facts or make sound judgments.
  3. Only occasional use of techniques of scholarship.
  4. Minimal interest in the subject matter, but knowledge of the essential concepts and ideas that are a part of the subject material of the course.

A grade of F, when assigned by the instructor, indicates unacceptable scholastic performance, as follows:

  1. Negligence of the standards and requirements of the course.
  2. Inadequate understanding of the course material as shown in an excessive number of errors in fact and judgment when discussing the material.
  3. Inability to use sound techniques of scholarship.
  4. Inability to comprehend the concepts and ideas which are part of the subject matter of the course.

Since these are general guidelines, the individual instructor should make an effort to define in the syllabus the standards as they apply to the course being conducted.  It might be also stressed that many innovative techniques are available as alternatives to the most common method of evaluation (self-evaluation, class evaluation, project, etc.).

The following are the values of grades and notations that are posted to the student’s permanent record:

Grades:

  • H, A+, A   = 4.0
  • A-  = 3.7
  • B+ = 3.3
  • B   = 3.0
  • B-  = 2.7
  • C+ = 2.3
  • C   = 2.0
  • C-  = 1.7
  • D+ = 1.3
  • D   = 1.0
  • D-  = 0.7
  • F    = 0.0

The following grades are not computed in the grade point average:

  • NC = No Credit
  • P= Pass
  • W = withdrawal
  • WP = withdrawal passing
  • WF = withdrawal failing
  • WX = unofficial withdrawal during first seven days of semester

B. GRADING OPTIONS

  1. Apart from the exceptions identified below, all courses at Westmont are graded using a letter scale (A, B, C, D, F).
  2. Instructor Initiated Exceptions:

    1. For pedagogical reasons, an instructor may elect to use P/NC  grade reporting in any class not approved for GE credit.  It is assumed that the same grade-reporting system will be applied to the entire class.
    2. With the approval of the General Education Committee, P/NC grade reporting may be used in appropriate, GE-approved courses.\
    3. When P/NC grade reporting is used, the syllabus must reflect this fact.  In addition, departments are encouraged to include a notice in the catalog that the course may use P/NC grading.
  3. Student-Initiated Exceptions:
    1. No student-initiated exceptions are available for courses taken to fulfill the student’s GE requirements (except P.E.A.) or required to complete the student’s major/minor.  Students who have completed all requirements for a major/minor, as determined by their application for degree, may request the P/NC grading option for additional course work offered in the major/minor department.
    2. With the instructor’s approval, the student may elect the P/NC grading option for any other elective course.
    3. The deadline for changing the grading option is the end of the ninth week of classes. The student must request the change in the Student Records Office. The faculty signature will verify that the student is currently doing work at Pass level.
    4. The course grade sheet will be annotated to remind the faculty member of the option chosen by the student.
    5. P/NC registration is limited to four units plus one P.E. Activity course in any term, with a maximum of eight units and two P.E. Activity courses per academic year (including Mayterm).
  4. Unless otherwise specified in the syllabus, a grade of P indicates work at the D- level or better.
  5. Automatic F (NC)

    When a student persistently neglects class assignments or has excessive absences, the faculty member may request that the student withdraw from the class or may notify the student that he or she has been terminated with a grade of F (NC) in that particular class

C. INCOMPLETES

An “Incomplete” is a temporary grade assigned to students who merit additional time because of circumstances beyond their control such as serious illness, accident, or death in the family.  A grade of “I” must be made up within six weeks following the last day of final examinations in the semester, or it will automatically be changed to F.  The following guidelines should be considered when recording a temporary grade of “Incomplete” (I) for a student:

  1. The Incomplete is in the best academic interest of the student and/or the faculty member.
  2. The student will not be given unfair advantage over other students in the course as a result of having six additional weeks in which to complete the work.
  3. The material to be completed can be completed independently, or the faculty member will be available for supervision.
  4. Both the faculty member and the student accept the responsibility of the deadline for removal.
  5. The student is aware of the effect an Incomplete may have on his or her academic standing.

Procedure for giving Incomplete:

  1. The student should arrange with the instructor for an Incomplete in advance of the end of the semester.
  2. “Grade Report for an Incomplete” forms are available only to the instructor at the Student Records Office.
  3. Both the instructor and the student should sign the report.
  4. “Grade Report for an Incomplete” forms should be filed at the Student Records Office by the instructor no later than the time the course grade sheets are due.
  5. The deadline for removal of the Incomplete is six calendar weeks after the last day of the term in which the Incomplete was given.  In unusual circumstances, a longer or shorter period for removal may be agreed upon.  This should be indicated on the original grade report form.
  6. The student will receive a copy of the “Grade Report for an Incomplete” form.
  7. Until it is removed with a passing grade, an Incomplete may be computed in the student’s record as if it were F (NC for H/P/NC option).
    1. A student who needs to pass 12 hours for financial aid or athletic eligibility will not be eligible until the incomplete is removed with a passing grade.
    2. Academic honors may be affected by an Incomplete computed as F or NC.
    3. Academic probation/suspension may be affected by an Incomplete that has been changed to an F.
    4. An F (or NC) is recorded for any incomplete not removed by the deadline.

D. REPEATING COURSES

  1. Students may repeat courses in which grades of D, F, or NC are earned.  Repeats of D courses earn no units.
  2. Students need not repeat D courses in a major unless the major department requires it, since the grade point average can be raised by earning a C or better in any other major course.
  3. It is usually better not to repeat a course in which a D or D- was earned, because the repeat course earns no additional units toward the minimum 124 units needed to graduate.
  4. When a course is repeated where a D or F grade was earned, only the higher of the two grades will count in the computation of the G.P.A.  The course and grade of D or F will, however, remain on the student’s academic record.

E. REQUEST FOR A GRADE CHANGE

A grade change is authorized only if there is a recording or computational error.  If a student feels a grade is in error, the student should:

  1. Check with the Student Records Office to verify the entry on the permanent record and on the course grade sheet.
  2. See the instructor to discuss the possibility of error.

If there is an error, the instructor must:

  1. Complete “Request for Grade Change” form, available at the Student Records Office.
  2. Submit request to Associate Provost for counter-signature.

A grade change, when authorized, will be posted to the student record.  Request for grade change forms are filed and held for a minimum of one year; grade sheets are retained permanently.

Student complaints regarding grading practices should be addressed first to the instructor, then to the department chairperson, and finally to the Associate Provost.

F. MID-TERM GRADING

Examinations designated as “mid-terms” are neither required nor encouraged.  However, students whose progress is unsatisfactory based on quizzes, papers, class participation, attendance, etc., should be reported on the mid-term grade sheets.  (See the academic calendar for the appropriate date each term.)  Students will be notified and a master list will be compiled and distributed to faculty advisors and Student Life personnel as an aid in counseling advisees.

Note:  Mid-term unsatisfactory grades are not permanently recorded; they are advisory grades only.