A. Grading Procedures

A student’s scholastic standing is based on the GPA earned each semester. This 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. There are several GPA’s including the semester GPA, the cumulative GPA, and the upper division major GPA.

It is the responsibility of instructors to explain in each course how final grades are calculated through the accumulation of points or percentages assigned in the evaluation of graded work. To indicate a student’s quality of achievement in a given subject, final grades in the form of letters and plus/minus indicators are used by all instructors in the University’s undergraduate programs. 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 cumulative grade point average calculations, certification, and convenience in reporting.

The GPA is calculated by dividing the total quality points earned by the total credits graded.

The letter grades AU, I, IP, P, RD, S, and W do not count as credits graded and quality points are not awarded. Grades of “S” and “P” do not calculate into the GPA but count as credits earned.

A minimum cumulative and upper division major grade point average of 2.00 is required for completion of an undergraduate degree. Transfer credits accepted by Gonzaga may count toward degree completion; however, grades associated with transfer credits are not used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA at Gonzaga.

AU - Audit grading option: The “AU” grade is assigned by the Registrar’s Office and not an option of the instructor except in ENGL 098, 099, and 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 grade mode no later than the close of Registration Period III which runs through the drop/add period. 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 as determined by the instructor, does not complete all the work of the course within the semester that he/she is registered. The faculty member notifies the Registrar’s Office with the reason for the “I” (Incomplete) grade, lists the missing material, and assigns a provisional grade that will be assigned thirty (30) calendar days into the following semester (summer sessions are not included). A provisional grade should be what the student would earn if no additional work is submitted. Requests for a date extension beyond the published date for removing incompletes must be approved through the appropriate Deans’ Office and sent to the Registrar’s Office for processing. Forms for this action can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office. If the instructor does not submit an extension or a new grade before the published date or time extension lapses, the provisional grade will be recorded on the student’s transcript. If a provisional grade has not been provided, the “I” grade becomes an “F” grade and is recorded on the transcript as an “I/F.” Whenever an “I” grade has been assigned, the “I” grade becomes part of the permanent record. i.e. “I/B,” etc.

IP- Grade in Progress: Assigned only for courses in Internships, Research, and Comprehensive Exams as well as courses that deans recognize as eligible due to the nature of the course and the need for more than a semester to complete the work. An “IP” may remain for one calendar year. If a grade is not submitted within one year an “IP” automatically becomes a “W” (official withdrawal). Requests for an extension beyond the deadline must be submitted by the instructor to the Registrar’s Office by completing the Extension form and obtaining signatures from the dean of the school the course falls under as well as the Academic Vice President. Once the course is complete and graded, the Change of Grade form needs to be processed and the grade will be entered on the student academic record by the Registrar’s Office.

P- Pass: Designated elective courses may be taken on the Pass/Fail grading option by student 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 before the drop/add registration period closes by completing the appropriate paperwork 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 and grades below “C-“ are converted to “F” grades. The “P” grade does not calculate into the gradepoint average and the credits earned count toward the minimum number of credits required to graduate. The “F” (fail) grade affects the cumulative GPA as a standard “F” grade. Courses taken under the Pass/Fail grading option do not satisfy any university core, major, minor, or concentration requirement and can only be used as elective credit toward the overall credit total required for graduation. A complete description of this option is given later in this section of the catalogue under the heading of “Pass/Fail Option.”

RD - Report of Grade Delayed: If an instructor fails to assign a grade for a course and the grade entry is left blank, the Registrar’s Office will assign an “RD” and the “RD” will remain a part of the student record until the earned grade has been received by the Registrar’s Office. To submit the grade, a Change of Grade form is required along with the dean’s signature.

S/NS - Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory: Some courses are designated by academic departments for Satisfactory (S)/Non-Satisfactory (NS) grading only. This is not a grading option that students can choose. This grading option can only be determined by a department/school. The NS grade indicates an equivalent grade lower than a “C-“ and has the same effect as an “F “ (Fail) on the grade point average. An “S” grade is equivalent to a “C-“ grade or higher, does not affect the GPA, and the credits earned are counted toward total credits needed to graduate. Courses graded using this grade mode will not be converted to a standard letter grade.

V - Unofficial Withdrawal: This grade has the same effect as “F” (Fail) 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: No penalties incurred. Not included in the attempted or earned GPA.

B. Grade Reports

Students receive their mid-semester grade reports from their advisors. Final grades may be obtained by the student over ZAGWEB or through the Registrar’s Office.

C. Grade Point Averages

The GPA is calculated by dividing the total quality points earned by the total graded credits. The letter grades AU, I, IP, 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 has been 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 no provisional grade was submitted, the “I” grade becomes an “F” grade and is recorded on the transcript at this time. The “I” (Incomplete) grade remains on the transcript along with the earned grade.

E. Extension of Incomplete Grades

Students who are unable to meet the deadline for the removal of an incomplete grade 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.

F. 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 or failure to take into account a significant amount of student work.

G. Repeating Courses for Improved Grade

An undergraduate student can repeat any course with another course of the same designation, 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), and AU, may be re-taken in subsequent semesters; these grades are not included in the repeat course policy jurisdiction. Courses retaken as an independent study or directed reading also does not qualify under this policy. Only courses re-taken at Gonzaga University qualify to improve the GPA.

H. Pass/Fail Grading Option (selected by undergraduate students)

Designated elective courses may be taken on a pass or fail basis at the option of the student, not of the instructor. The Pass/Fail option by a student should not be confused with the Satisfactory/Non Satisfactory option offered and graded for courses predetermined by academic departments. Refer to “Grading Procedures” section under “Grading Policies” earlier in this section.

1. 1) A course with a “P” grade earned at the option of the student does not fulfill any course requirement for core, major, minor, or concentration requirement.
2. 2) The credits earned for a “P” grade count toward the 128 minimum credits necessary for a degree but do not count in a GPA.
3. 3) A “P” grade (pass) will not affect the grade-point average; a fail will have the same effect as any “F” grade.
4. 4) 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”.
5. 5) Students wishing to exercise the Pass/Fail option must fill out the Pass/Fail Grade Option form in the Registrar’s Office prior to the last published date for “adding or dropping courses” and may not revoke their decision after this date.
6. 6) No more than five Pass/Fail courses may count toward a degree, and no more than two may be taken in any one department.
7. 7) Students are allowed to take two 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 Pass/Fail courses may be taken during the undergraduate third year and fourth year with no more than one in any given semester.
8. 8) Any course failed “F” grade may not be repeated on a Pass/ Fail basis.
9. 9) Last day to change to or from the Pass/Fail grading option is the last day of Registration Period III.