Grading Policies

• Final Grades
• Grade Point Average
• Policy on Repeating a Course
• Final Grade Appeals

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 Self-Service.  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 grade requests; each request must be made after final grades are posted.

Final Grades

Loras College issues final grades for all courses.  Final grades must be submitted by the date assigned by the Registrar and indicated in the academic calendar (usually the first Tuesday following the final day of the course offering, as identified in the course schedule). 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.

Regular Grading System

Sometimes referred to as “graded credits,” most Loras graduate coursework will use standard letter grades to reflect student achievement.  The following grades may appear on a student’s transcript and are factored into the student’s grade point average calculation:

* A student earning an F grade may not repeat the course for which the F grade was received without the approval of the Graduate Program Director.

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.

Please note: Loras College does not permit auditing of graduate level courses.

Grade Point Average

The grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credits for which quality points are given. Grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C- and F respectively earn 4.0, 3.7, 3.3, 3.0, 2.7, 2.3, 2.0, and 0.0 quality points per credit.

Policy on Repeating a Course

If a student does not meet the minimum grade expectations for the program, the student can retake the course. A maximum of two different courses in a student’s degree program may be repeated. Both the original course and the repeated course remain on the transcript. The cumulative grade point average will include only the most recent grade.

If a student receives a grade of “F” in a course, the student is required to meet with the program director if the student intends to remain in the academic program. If the failing grade occurs in a course that is not clinical, internship, or practicum based, the student is eligible to stay in the program and retake the course, with permission from the Graduate Program Director, the next time the course is offered. If the failing grade occurs in an internship, practicum, or clinical course, the student will require permission from the Graduate Program Director to retake the course. In cases in which the failure occurs because of serious lack of judgement or professional behavior, the student may not be permitted to retake the course which would result in dismissal from the program.

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:

1. Students are protected from capricious or arbitrary academic evaluation and are afforded a clear and fair process for appealing final course grades.
2. Instructors’ professional rights and academic freedom are protected, and they are able to exercise professional judgment in evaluating academic performance.
3. 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:

1. An objective error of fact, either a mathematical miscalculation or clerical error in reporting the final grade.
2. The assignment of the course grade was determined on the basis of something other than performance in the course; or
3. The assignment of the course grade was based on criteria different from those used to evaluate other students in the course section; or
4. 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 School Dean/Associate Dean to file a formal grade appeal.

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.

1. The student completes the student portion of the Graduate Final Grade Appeal Form and submits a signed copy of the form and all relevant documentation in support of the appeal (see Graduate Final Grade Appeal Form for list of required and suggested documentation) to the School Dean/Associate Dean responsible for oversight of the course instructor.
2. The School Dean/Associate Dean shall review the documentation submitted by the student, forward all materials to the course instructor, and either
   1. Facilitate communication between the Instructor and the student to reach an informal resolution, or
   2. Request the instructor provide a written response to the student’s appeal.
3. In the event the School Dean/Associate Dean is able to facilitate an informal resolution one of the following documents should be submitted to the office of the Associate Provost:
   1. A Grade Change Form signed by the instructor.
   2. The Graduate Final Grade Appeal Form, with the Withdrawal of Formal Appeal section completed and signed by both the student and the School Dean/Associate Dean.
4. In the event the School Dean/Associate Dean is unable to facilitate an informal resolution, the School Dean/Associate Dean 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 Provost.

5. The Associate Provost will review the materials submitted by the student, course instructor, and School Dean/Associate Dean, may request additional information or individual meetings as needed, and will submit a written recommendation to the Provost.

6. 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.