Grading Policy
Loras College course grades are assigned on the basis of criteria appropriate to each discipline, such as research papers, written and oral examinations, oral presentations, projects, laboratory experiments, and class participation. Grades earned in individual courses are associated with the grading scale published in the course syllabus. The grading scale, criteria for grading, and weights and evaluations measured associated with individual courses is determined by the faculty member.
Final grades can be viewed at any time through a student’s IQ page. If necessary, requests for an official grade report can be made to the Office of the Registrar, provided the request is done in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The office of the Registrar does not accept standing requests; each request must be made after grades are posted according to the Academic Calendar.
Final Grades
Loras College issues final grades for all undergraduate courses. Final grades must be submitted by the date assigned by the Registrar as indicated in the academic calendar. Faculty report course grades for students to the Registrar where they are transferred to the student’s permanent academic record (the transcript). Once the final grade is submitted by the instructor, that grade is a permanent grade and cannot be changed unless the final grade has been miscalculated or if the final grade is under appeal.
Midterm Grades
Loras College issues midterm grades for undergraduate courses offered during the fall and spring. Midterm grades are temporary grades that serve to notify students of progress in registered courses. Midterm grades must be submitted by the date assigned by the Registrar, as indicated in the Academic Calendar.
Grading System
Faculty report course grades for students to the Registrar where they are transferred to the student’s permanent academic record (the transcript). Grades appearing on a student transcript are assigned the following values:
| Grade |
Grade Points |
Description |
| A |
4.000 |
Excellent |
| A- |
3.667 |
|
| B+ |
3.333 |
|
| B |
3.000 |
Good |
| B- |
2.667 |
|
| C+ |
2.333 |
|
| C |
2.000 |
Average |
| C- |
1.667 |
|
| D+ |
1.333 |
|
| D |
1.000 |
Below Average |
| D- |
0.667 |
|
| F |
0.000 |
No credit granted |
Additional Grade Designations
The following grades may appear on a student’s transcript but are not included in the calculation of the student’s grade point average
| I - Incomplete |
0.000 |
The grade of incomplete is used only when a student has done passing work, D- or above, but because of circumstances beyond the student’s control, has been unable to complete the required work for the course.
The incomplete grade is not used to give a failing student an opportunity to redo unsatisfactory work or to allow more time to complete the work when the reasons for the delay have been within the student’s control.
To be eligible to receive a grade of “I” an online Incomplete Grade Agreement Form must be completed and approved by the instructor and be submitted to the Registrar’s Office before final grades are due. Incomplete grades submitted without an Incomplete Grade Approval Form on file will be changed from “I” grade to an “F” grade. The form is available on the IQ Main Page.
The incomplete work must be completed and submitted to the instructor and a permanent grade recorded by midterm of the next semester of the College calendar. If a grade of Incomplete is given during the January term, the work must be completed by midterm of the subsequent spring semester. If the student misses critical experiences of the January term course due to circumstances beyond his/her control, the student will receive a grade of “W” (withdrawal) for the course. If the Incomplete grade is not replaced by a permanent grade by this date, the “I” grade is replaced by the “F” (fail) grade.
If a student is awarded an “F” grade because the instructor did not submit a final grade by midterm, the instructor has until the last official day of the semester to change the grade. After the final day of the semester, the “F” grade becomes a permanent grade and cannot be changed.
An instructor may recommend to the Registrar’s Office an extension of the midterm deadline in cases of special hardship.
|
| Pass/Fail |
0.000 |
To receive a grade of Pass, a student must earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.000). A student earning a grade of “C-” or below in a pass/fail course receives a grade of “F” (Fail). Study abroad credit taken through an affiliated program falls under this grading category.
The Pass grade is non-punitive and therefore does not affect the student’s grade point average. The Fail grade is punitive and is calculated into the student’s grade point average.
A student may apply to take a course pass/fail during the first two (2) weeks of a semester or during the first two (2) class days of a summer session course. The student should notify the Registrar’s Office, Room 121 Keane Hall if they want to pursue this option.
|
| W - Withdrawal |
0.000 |
A grade of “W” is recorded on a student’s transcript for all courses dropped the fourth week through the tenth calendar day after the posting of midterm grades. Courses dropped on or after the 11th calendar day after the posting of midterm grades receive a grade of “F” (fail). Midterm grades are generally due by 1:00 p.m. Tuesday of the 8th week of classes. |
| AUD - Audit |
0.000 |
A designation of “AUD” is recorded on a student’s transcript to signify that a course has been successfully audited. No credit is earned when a course is audited. A January term course may not be audited. |
| NR - Not Reported |
0.000 |
The grade was not reported to the Registrar’s Office by the instructor. Students receiving a grade of NR should contact the instructor. |
| NG - No Grade |
0.000 |
A grade of “NG” is used for lab courses where the learning outcomes are assessed and graded in the co-requisite lecture course. |
| R-Repeat Course |
0.000 |
The credit and grade for the last enrollment are computed in the GPA. |
| IP-In Progress |
0.000 |
For use at the conclusion of the first semester of a two-semester course. |
| NC-No Credit |
0.000 |
Not included in computation of GPA. |
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Grade points are determined by multiplying the grade point value for each course (see above) by the number of credit hours for each course. The grade point average is calculated by dividing the total grade points by the number of credit hours attempted on the regular grading system. The grades of I (Incomplete), P (Pass), W (Withdrawal), AUD (Audit), IP (In Progress), and NC (No Credit) are not included in the grade point average. Grades for courses transferred to Loras College are not included in the cumulative grade point average. In order to graduate, a student must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000.
Change of Grade Policy
A final grade is issued to the student at the conclusion of the course. Once the final grade is submitted by the instructor, that grade is a permanent grade and cannot be changed unless the final grade has been miscalculated or if the final grade is under appeal.
Appealing a Final Grade
Final Grade Appeal Policy
Loras College is committed to ensuring that academic records genuinely and accurately reflect the academic accomplishments and performance levels of students.
The purpose of the Final Grade Appeal Policy is to ensure that:
- Students are protected from capricious or arbitrary academic evaluation and are afforded a clear and fair process for appealing final course grades.
- Instructors’ professional rights and academic freedom are protected, and they are able to exercise professional judgment in evaluating academic performance.
- Disputes about final grades are handled respectfully, in a manner that upholds the dignity of the student and the instructor as well as the integrity of the institution.
Scope
The Final Grade Appeal Policy applies only to disputes about final course grades and may not be used to challenge grades on individual assignments, exams, or activities within a course. Final grade appeals may only be initiated by the student receiving the disputed course grade.
Loras College recognizes that the evaluation of student performance is one of the core professional responsibilities of the faculty. Faculty are granted freedom to use professional judgment in the evaluation of student work and to assign grades on the basis of criteria appropriate to the discipline and level of the course. As such, appeals of final grades may be filed only for the following reasons:
- An objective error of fact, either a mathematical miscalculation or clerical error in reporting the final grade.
- The assignment of the course grade was determined on the basis of something other than performance in the course; or
- The assignment of the course grade was based on criteria different from those used to evaluate other students in the course section; or
- The assignment of the course grade was determined based on substantially altered grading criteria or standards (from those stated in the course syllabus) that are either unfair, unwarranted, or not communicated to students in a timely fashion.
In all instances of formal grade appeal, the burden of proof is on the student and formal appeals must be accompanied by documentation that demonstrates basis of the appeal.
Formal grade appeals must be initiated within thirty calendar (30) days of the date of the official notification of the final grade.
Final Grade Appeal Procedure
Step 1: Informal Resolution
In many instances, particularly when an unintentional error in calculation or reporting has occurred, disputes over a final course grade can be resolved informally through direct communication (in-person meeting, e-mail, telephone conversation) between the student and the course instructor. When a final course grade is in question, the student is expected to contact the course instructor as soon as possible and no later than fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of notification of final course grades to initiate an informal resolution process.
Through this informal communication, the instructor and the student should seek to eliminate any confusion over the assignment of the grade and identify any objective errors in calculation or reporting that may have occurred. It is expected that most issues will be resolved at this level.
If the course instructor agrees that the final grade is incorrect a Grade Change Form should be submitted with the appropriate signatures.
If the student and the instructor are unable to resolve the grade dispute or, if the student is unable to contact the instructor (phone call or e-mail not returned within five (5) business days) the student should contact the division chair to file a formal grade appeal. For the purposes of this policy the Dean of the Noonan School of Business shall serve the function of the division chair for appeals associated with instructors in School of Business programs.
Step 2: Formal Grade Appeal
A formal grade appeal may be filed only after informal means have been attempted/exhausted and should be initiated by the student within thirty (30) days of the posting of final semester/term grades.
- The student completes the student portion of the Final Grade Appeal Form and submits a signed copy of the form and all relevant documentation in support of the appeal (see Final Grade Appeal Form for list of required and suggested documentation) to the Division Chairperson responsible for oversight of the course instructor.
- The Division Chairperson shall review the documentation submitted by the student, forward all materials to the course instructor, and either
- Facilitate communication between the faculty and the student to reach an informal resolution, or
- Request the instructor complete the faculty portion of the Final Grade Appeal Form and return the form and the instructor’s written response to the Division Chairperson.
- In the event the Division Chairperson is able to facilitate an informal resolution one of the following documents should be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean of Instruction and Assessment:
- A Grade Change Form signed by the instructor.
- The Final Grade Appeal Form, with the Withdrawal of Formal Appeal section completed and signed by both the student and the division chair.
- In the event the Division Chairperson is unable to facilitate an informal resolution, the division chair shall review the materials submitted by both the student and the course instructor, consider any information provided through discussion with the student and/or the instructor (if needed), and submit a written recommendation to the Associate Dean of Instruction and Assessment.
- The Associate Dean of Instruction and Assessment will review the materials submitted by the student, course instructor, and division chairperson, may request additional information or individual meetings as needed, and will submit a written recommendation to the Provost.
- The Provost reviews the materials and renders a decision on the appeal and will notify the student of the outcome. The decision of the Provost is final.
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