A. Grading Procedures
Students' scholastic standing in their courses is determined by the combined results of examinations, assignments, class attendance, and general evidence of regular and consistent participation. Due weight will be given to mastery of the subject and the ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and accurately in both oral and written form.
Letter grades and plus/minus indicators are used by all instructors in the University's undergraduate programs to indicate a student's quality of achievement in a given subject. The letter grades A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, F, and V are assigned a "quality point value" for purposes of grade point average calculations, certification and convenience in reporting.
AU = Audit Grading Option. A grading option that earns no credits and does not apply toward a degree. The AU grade is assigned by the University Registrar and is not a grading option of the instructor except in ENGL 098, 099, and 101, and in MATH 099 when the student is unable to attain the objectives of these courses within one semester in spite of diligent work and attendance; these courses must be repeated until a passing letter grade is granted. Students choosing the Pass/Fail Grading Option may have grades of D+ and D converted to AU grades by requesting this change in the Registrar's Office. Students must register for this grading option no later than the close of Registration Period III. A complete description of this option is given earlier in the Academic Policies section of the Catalogue under the heading of "Auditing A Course."
I = Incomplete. Given when a student with a legitimate reason (to be determined by the instructor) does not complete all the work of the course during the session in which it was offered. The instructor gives the reason for the "Incomplete" grade, lists the missing material, and assigns a provisional grade on the reverse side of the Grade Submittal Form. Requests for time extension beyond the published date for removing incompletes must be submitted by the instructor to the Registrar's Office prior to that date. If the instructor does not submit a new grade before the published date or time extension lapses, the provisional grade recorded on the Grade Submittal Form will be recorded on the student's transcript. If the instructor does not submit a provisional grade, the "I" grade becomes an "F" grade and is recorded on the transcript at this time.
IP = Grade in Progress. This grade is assigned only for courses in Internships, Research, Comprehensive, Thesis, Dissertation, and Proposal Seminar; also for other courses that a dean has notified the Registrar prior to course commencement. Instructors must indicate the deadline for completion of the work on the reverse side of the Grade Submittal Form. If no grade is submitted by the predesignated time, usually the end of the following semester, an "IP" automatically becomes W(withdrawal). Requests for time extension beyond the deadline must be submitted by the instructor to the Registrar's Office prior to that date.
NS = Non-Satisfactory Grade. Some courses are designated by academic departments for Satisfactory (S)/Not Satisfactory (NS) grading only; this is not a grading option that students can choose. The NS grade is indicative of an equivalent grade of below C- and has the same effect as an F (Failing) on the grade-point average.
P = Passing Grade. Designated elective courses may be taken on the Pass/Fail Grading Option by the student's request, not that of the instructor. Instructors do not know that students have chosen the Pass/Fail Grading Option for their courses. Students select this option during registration periods by signing the appropriate form in the Registrar's Office. Letter grades assigned by instructors that are C- or higher are converted to P grades at the end of the semester when all grades for all students are processed. The P grade does not affect the grade-point average, but the credits earned count toward the minimum credits needed to graduate. Please note that courses taken under the Pass/Fail Grading Option do not satisfy any University Core or major requirements. A complete description of this option is given later in this section of the Catalogue under heading of "Pass/Fail Option."
RD = Report of Grade Delayed. For reasons predetermined by the department and dean, an instructor is not able to assign a grade for a course because of unusual circumstances. The Registrar will assign an RD designation for the student's semester grade report and the student's transcript will contain the RD designation until the earned grade has been received.
S = Satisfactory Grade. Some courses are designated by academic departments for Satisfactory(S)/Not Satisfactory(NS) grading only; this is not a grading option that students can choose. The S grade is indicative of at least an equivalent grade of C- or higher. The S grade does not affect the grade point average, however, the credits earned are counted toward the total needed to graduate.
V = Unofficial Withdrawal: Failing. This has the same effect as F on the grade point average (GPA) and is awarded by the instructor for excessive absences or failure to withdraw officially from a course.
W = Official withdrawal from the course; no penalties incurred.
B. Grade Reports
Grade reports are issued at mid-term and at the end of each semester. Students receive their mid-semester grade reports from their advisors. Final grades may be obtained over ZAGWEB, ZAGCALL, or through the Registrar's Office.
C. Grade Point Averages
The GPA is calculated by dividing the total quality points earned by the total credits graded. The letter grades AU, I, IP, NS, P, RD, S, and W do not count as credits graded and quality points are not awarded. There are several GPA's including the semester GPA, cumulative GPA, major GPA, and graduation GPA. A minimum cumulative and major grade point average of 2.00 is required for an undergraduate degree. Transfer credits are not used in calculating the grade point average at Gonzaga University.
D. Removal of Incompletes
When an incomplete grade (I) has been officially awarded and a provisional grade recorded by the instructor, the provisional grade will become final after thirty days have elapsed in the subsequent semester, unless the student fulfills the missing requirements and the instructor informs the Registrar on an official Change of Grade Form that the course requirements have been fulfilled. Students must observe this thirty-day grace period and instructors have an additional two weeks to forward grades to the Registrar's Office. If the professor fails to designate a provisional grade, the "I" grade becomes an "F" grade and is recorded on the transcript at this time.
Students who are unable to meet this deadline for a serious and legitimate reason may petition the dean of their school for an extension of the deadline. If the dean approves the petition, he or she will forward it to the Academic Vice President for approval.
E. Change of Grade
A change of grade requires a Change of Grade Form signed by both the instructor and the dean of the school in which the course was offered. Grades are normally changed only because of calculation error.
F. Pass/Fail Grading Option
Selected by Students
Designated elective courses may be taken on a pass or fail basis at the option of the student, not of the instructor. This Pass/Fail option by a student should not be confused with the Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory option offered and graded for courses predetermined by academic departments. Refer to "Grading Procedures" section under "Grading Policies" earlier in this section.
A course with a P grade earned at the option of the student does not fulfill any course requirement for core, major, or minor.
The credits earned for a P grade count toward the 128 minimum credits necessary for a degree but do not count in a GPA.
P grade (pass) will not affect the grade-point average; a fail will have the same effect as any F grade.
A student's level of performance for a P grade must correspond to the letter grade of C- or better; a grade of D+ or D will be recorded as a D+ or D, however, a student may choose an audit (AU) grade by notifying the Registrar's Office who will, in turn, assign an audit (AU) grade; a grade of F will be recorded as an F.
Students wishing to exercise the Pass/Fail option must sign the appropriate form in the Registrar's Office prior to the last published date for "last day for adding or dropping courses" and may not revoke their decision after this date.
No more than five (5) Pass/Fail courses may count toward a degree, and no more than two (2) may be taken in any one department.
Students are allowed to take two (2) courses on Pass/Fail during the four semesters as First Year and Second Year undergraduates, provided that no more than one such course is taken in any given semester. A total of three (3) Pass/Fail courses may be taken during the undergraduate Third Year and Fourth Year with no more than one in any given semester.
Any course failed (F grade) may not be repeated on a Pass/ Fail basis.
Last day to change to or from the Pass/Fail grading option is the last day of Registration Period III.
G. Repeating Courses for Improved Grade
An undergraduate student can repeat any course in an effort to improve the GPA. The original course and grade will remain recorded on the student's transcript but will not be counted into the student's GPA. The cumulative credits and GPA will be adjusted to reflect the last credits and grade earned. Courses for which a student received a grade carrying no quality point value, such as W, ( X prior to Fall 1996), AU, and NS, may be re-taken in subsequent semesters; these grades are not included in the repeat course policy jurisdiction.