CLAS - Student Academic Handbook - The University of Iowa

Student Academic Handbook

Grading

Satisfactory Grade-Point Average
Grading System
Mid-semester Reports
Pass/Nonpass
Satisfactory/Fail
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Registered/Withdrawn
Incomplete
No Grade Reported
Second-Grade-Only Option
Attendance and Examinations
Recognition for Academic Achievement
Academic Standards
Academic Probation
Dismissal from the College
Right to Appeal a Dismissal
Reinstatement to the College
Notification of Records

Satisfactory Grade Point Average

In order to be granted a degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students must earn satisfactory grade-point averages.

Candidates for the BA, BS, BFA, and BM degrees must earn a minimum grade point average of C (2.00) in all four of these GPA calculations:

All college work attempted
All work undertaken at The University of Iowa
All work attempted in the major
All University of Iowa work in the major.

Candidates for the BLS. degree must earn a satisfactory grade point average of at least 2.00 in these three GPA calculations:

All course work completed
All course work completed after admission to the program
All advanced course work.

Grading System

Please Note: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students taking courses in other colleges of the University are subject to the grading policies of those colleges. Students from other colleges taking courses in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are subject to CLAS grading policies.

In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, instructors may choose to use a grading system of A, B, C, D, F or that grading system with plus and minus grades (plus/minus grading does not include F+ or F-). In either case, the grading system chosen by the instructor must be explained in the course syllabus; it must be applied to all students in a given class; and it must be the same in all sections of a multi-section course.

The following table shows the equivalent grade point for each semester hour for each possible grade used by instructors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:

Grade	Grade Points for Each Semester Hour
A+	4.33
A=Superior	4.00
A-	3.67
B+	3.33
B = Above Average	3.00
B-	2.67
C+	2.33
C = Average	2.00
C-	1.67
D+	1.33
D = Below Average	1.00
D-	.67
P = Pass	--
S = Satisfactory	--
N = Nonpass	--
F = Failing	0

Other Marks on the Permanent Record

These marks are not grades, and, except for the Second-Grade-Only Option, do not affect the grade-point average.

I = Incomplete	--
R = Registered	--
W = Withdrawn	--
# = Second Grade Option	--
* = Honors Credit	--
O = No Grade Reported	--

Computing Grade Point Averages

Grade point averages (GPA) are computed by (a) multiplying the number of semester hours in each course by the appropriate grade points; (b) totaling the grade points earned to date; and (c) dividing the sum in (b) by the number of hours taken, excluding courses in which grades of S, P, or N or marks of I, O, R, or W have been given. Hours of F are included in hours attempted and are used in computing the GPA.

Although grades of A+ have a value of 4.33 in calculating a grade point average, the cumulative GPAs displayed at the bottom of the permanent record are truncated so as not to exceed 4.00.

See the Registrar's Office GPA Predictor or the College of Business GPA Calculator for assistance computing a grade-point average.

Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences may have up to four different GPA's:

The University of Iowa cumulative GPA based on courses taken at The University of Iowa.
The major GPA based on courses taken in the major (as defined by the department offering the major)
The transfer GPA based only on courses taken elsewhere and transferred to The University of Iowa.
The cumulative GPA based on all courses taken, both at The University of Iowa and elsewhere.

Mid Semester Reports

At mid-semester, instructors have the opportunity to report grades for students whose work is below C-. The Office of the Registrar distributes any reports it receives to advisors and to individual students, but these grades are not recorded on the permanent record.

Since instructors are not required to submit mid-semester reports, students who do not receive a mid-semester report should not assume that their mid-semester grade is above a C-.

Pass/Nonpass (P/N)

Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have the option of taking elective courses P/N (Pass/Nonpass) with the permission of the instructor of the course and/or the department offering the course. When a student takes a course P/N, the instructor assigns a standard letter grade which is then converted to a P or N. Grades of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and C- are converted to P; grades of D+, D, D- and F are converted to N.

Hours of course work graded P and N are not used in computing grade point averages. Hours of course work graded P are counted toward graduation; hours of course work graded N are not counted toward graduation.

Registration for P/N

If an instructor allows P/N registration, the student must obtain the signatures of the instructor of the course and the student's advisor on a P/N form. Students may register for P/N grading beginning the first day of classes and up to the date listed on the Academic Deadlines calendar. Deadlines are different for full-semester and for off-cycle courses.

The completed P/N form must be submitted to the Registrar Service Center, located in 17 Calvin Hall, before the deadline. A P/N registration may not be changed after the deadline.

Restrictions on the Use of P/N

Instructors and/or departments may deny students the option to register P/N for any course.
Students on academic probation may not use the P/N grading option.
P/N grading only may be requested in courses used as electives. Note the following:

(a) Courses taken P/N may not be used to satisfy General Education Program requirements.

(b) Students may not use the P/N grading option for any courses taken in the department of their major.

In special circumstances, a department or program may authorize a P/N grading option for a student in a course in the department if it will not be applied toward the requirements of the major. This P/N exception must be authorized by the major department or program in writing to Graduation Analysis, 1 Jessup Hall.

Courses required for the major in cognate or related areas may be taken as P/N only if the department offering the major has approved the P/N status of the requirement in question.

c) No course taken P/N will be accepted toward a minor or toward a certificate.

(d) Courses taken P/N may not be used to satisfy high school course requirements.

(e) Courses taken P/N may not be used to meet the college's English proficiency requirement.
A maximum of 15 s.h. of P credit from The University of Iowa is accepted toward the bachelor's degree. A maximum of 30 s.h. of P and S grades from all sources is accepted toward the bachelor's degree.
A maximum of two P/N courses may be taken in any session.
P/N restrictions apply to both UI and transfer course work.

Satisfactory/Fail (S/F) and Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U)

Certain courses in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are offered S/F or S/U. All students registered for these courses receive either one of these marks.

Registration for S/F

Special forms are not necessary to register for S/F or S/U courses since all students enrolled in such courses automatically receive either an S, an F, or an U.

Policies for S/F and S/U Courses

Hours of S or U graded course work are not used in computing grade point averages, but hours of F graded course work are used.
Hours of S graded course work are counted as hours earned toward graduation; hours of F or U graded course work do not count as hours earned toward graduation.
S graded course work may be applied toward the General Education Program and/or toward requirements of a major, minor, or certificate.
A maximum of 15 s.h. of S credit from The University of Iowa is accepted toward the bachelor's degree. A maximum of 30 s.h. of P and S grades from all sources (UI and transfer work) is accepted toward the bachelor's degree.

Registered/Withdrawn (R/W)

Some departments offer courses offered only for zero credit. Enrollment in these courses is marked R/W. Courses offered for credit hours, when taken for zero credit (audited), are also marked R/W. The instructor assigns a mark of R (registered) if the student's attendance and performance are satisfactory; if they are unsatisfactory, the mark of W (withdrawn) is assigned. (See also Auditing Courses, above.)

Incomplete (I)

A student unable to finish a course may ask an instructor for a mark of I (Incomplete) only if these situations apply:

The unfinished part of the student's work is small. (Exceptions may be made for research, thesis, or independent study courses.)
The work is unfinished for acceptable reasons.
The student's standing in the course is satisfactory.

The instructor is under no obligation to grant the student's request for a mark of Incomplete.

An instructor may not give an Incomplete unless the conditions above have been satisfied.

Additional Policies for Incompletes

A student wishing to finish the course work for an Incomplete should consult with the instructor about the due date for the work.

Incompletes are removed from the grade record only if the student has completed the unfinished portion of the work and after the instructor has submitted the student's final grade.

After receiving and evaluating the completed work from the student, the instructor submits a change of grade using the normal process as indicated by the Office of the Registrar. This grade change must be submitted on or before grades are due for the subsequent semester (spring or fall)*. If the grade change is not submitted by this deadline, the "I" automatically converts to an "F" (or "U") even if the student does not enroll after the session the Incomplete was posted.

*Please note that summer and winter sessions are not technically semesters; therefore, a student with an Incomplete from the spring semester is exempt from completing the work during the subsequent summer session; likewise, a student with an Incomplete from the fall is exempt from completing the work during that winter session.

If an I mark does convert to an "F" or "U" grade, the student may wish to repeat the course by using the second-grade-option (SGO).

If warranted, the instructor may submit a grade change after the "I" has become an "F" or "U."

No Grade Reported

A mark of O is assigned when an instructor fails to report a grade. The O designation will remain on a student's permanent record until the instructor submits a valid grade. The College works with the Registrar's office to ensure that valid grades are reported in a timely way and that O designations are changed as soon as possible.

Second-Grade-Only Option Policy

Note: Effective Fall 2007, the second-grade-only option for students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences was modified. Students now are allowed to use the second-grade-only option exclusively on courses where a grade of C- or lower has been earned. No other aspect of the policy has changed. The modification went into effect on the first day of the Fall 2007 semester regardless of when the student originally took the course being repeated for the second-grade-only option. Other colleges may have other second-grade-only option policies which govern their courses.

Overview
Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences may repeat up to three courses taken at The University of Iowa if the grade of C- or lower was earned in the course to be repeated.

Under the second-grade-only option, both grades are visible on the permanent record but only the second grade is used in all GPA calculations and as hours earned.

Students who plan to apply to graduate or professional colleges should keep in mind that admission processes to such programs may require a review of all grades and that the original grades might be recalculated into the total grade point averages since both grades remain visible on the permanent record.

The second-grade-only option may not be used if course regression would occur and may be used only for courses taken at The University of Iowa. Courses must be retaken at The University of Iowa in order to qualify for the option.

Students who wish to use this option register in the usual manner for the course that is to be repeated or add it during the regular period for adding courses.

In order to complete the second-grade-only option process, students must come to the CLAS Academic Programs & Services. Students should consider completing the second-grade-only option process before the last day of class in order for the second grade to appear on the next grade report. However, students may also make this request earlier in the semester or after the second grade appears on the record.

Unless and until the second-grade-only option is requested, both grades continue to be counted in the grade-point averages.

The Office of the Registrar marks the permanent record with a pound symbol (#) to show that the first grade has been replaced by the second grade in the GPA calculations and to show that only the hours from the second registration have been counted as hours earned.

Academic Programs and Services is located in 120 Schaeffer Hall and is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Students with questions should visit the office and talk with the staff.

SGO Rules and Restrictions

The second-grade-only option may be used only for University of Iowa courses. (These include regularly scheduled courses as well as Saturday & Evening offerings, Guided Independent Study or other distance learning courses, and off-campus courses.)
A course taken at another college or university may not be repeated at The University of Iowa under the second-grade-only option nor may a UI course be repeated at another institution under the UI second-grade-only option.
The option may be used only once per course.
The grade of C- or lower must have been earned in the course that is to be repeated regardless of when the student originally took the course being repeated.
Students may apply the option to a maximum of three courses.
The option may not be used if course regression has occurred.
If the course was taken for a grade the first time, it must be taken for a grade the second time.
If the course was taken pass/nonpass (or S/U or S/F) the first time, it may be taken for a grade the second time or it may be taken again as pass/nonpass (or S/U or S/F).
Any University of Iowa course taken in any mode of delivery—during a regular semester, a summer session, an intensive session, or through distance learning and the Division of Continuing Education—may be repeated in the same mode of delivery OR in any another mode of delivery.
The second-grade-only option may not be used by a student who has been awarded a degree from The University of Iowa on a course taken before the degree was awarded.
The option became available to students in the fall semester of 1969. Courses taken or repeated before that time are not eligible.

Attendance and Examinations

Class Attendance

Individual instructors, course directors, or departments determine the policy on class attendance. Students are required to observe the regulations as announced for the course. However, University policy requires that students be permitted to make up examinations missed because of illness, mandatory religious obligations, or other unavoidable circumstances or University activities.

For permission to be absent from class to participate in authorized University activities, students are expected to present to each instructor before each absence a written statement signed by a responsible official specifying exactly the dates and times necessary for them to miss class. Excused absences are granted to members of athletic teams, the marching and pep bands, debate teams, and other recognized University groups and to participants in University field trips. Participation in the National Guard also is considered an authorized activity.

Students who are absent for medical or personal reasons are expected to present evidence to verify the reason. Students may report absences from class of five days or less by completing an Absence from Class form, available at the Registration Center and online through the Registrar's Office, and by presenting the form to the instructor. Students who are absent for more than five days may ask the Registration Center to send notification of the absence to each instructor. Instructors may require additional verification.

Students should not expect instructors to make adjustments to the class attendance policy, nor to provide make-up exams, so that students can leave campus before the beginning of scheduled vacation times or the end of a semester, or to accommodate family or employment activities.

Examinations

Some courses include examinations scheduled outside of the regular class period. The University has established university-wide policies governing these examinations and procedures for when alternate examinations must be offered to students. In all cases, a regularly scheduled course takes precedence over an examination scheduled outside of class time. Students should attend their regularly scheduled courses and will be offered an alternative time for the out of class examination. (See College information on exam conflicts during the semester and information from the Registrar on Final Examination conflict policies.)

Final Examinations

A week for final examinations is set aside at the end of each semester, during which time no classes are held. With the exception of changes authorized by the associate dean for academic programs, all final examinations must be given during this week, according to the schedule announced by the registrar.

During summer sessions, there is no designated final examination period. Final examinations are scheduled before the official end of the session, either during a regular class meeting time or at a time determined by the instructor of the course in consultation with the students in the class.

More information on final examination policies is available from CLAS Academic Programs & Services.

Recognition for Academic Achievement

The University and the College recognize academic achievement every semester and at the time of graduation.

Dean's List

Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who achieve a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher on 12 semester hours or more of UI graded course work (including Guided Independent Study courses) during a semester (or summer session) and who have no hours of I (incomplete) or O (no grade reported) for that enrollment are recognized by inclusion on the Dean's List for that semester (or session).

President's List

University of Iowa undergraduate students who achieve a grade-point average of 4.00 on 12 semester hours or more of UI graded course work (including Guided Independent Study courses) and who have no hours of I (incomplete) or O (no grade reported) for two consecutive semesters (including summer session) are recognized by inclusion on the President's List.

Graduation with Distinction

The Office of the Registrar certifies to the dean of the college the names of students eligible to graduate with distinction. The college awards degrees "with highest distinction" to students in the highest 2 percent of the graduating class, "with high distinction" to students in the next highest 3 percent, and "with distinction" to the next highest 5 percent. Ranking is based on students' grade point averages for all college level study undertaken before the final registration.

To be eligible for graduation with distinction, students must complete a minimum of 60 s.h. in residence in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, of which at least 45 s.h. must have been completed before the student's final registration.

Graduation with Honors

Each department establishes requirements for graduation with honors. Successful completion of these requirements leads to a baccalaureate degree "with honors" in the major.

Academic Standards

Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are expected to meet academic standards set by the College and to demonstrate reasonable progress toward a degree. Academic probation serves as a warning that unless academic performance improves a student may be dismissed from the college and may not graduate. Academic probation also voids the College agreement with a student who had signed The University of Iowa Four Year Graduation Plan agreement.

Academic Probation

Students must achieve the following minimum grade point averages in both their University of Iowa grade point average and in their total cumulative grade point average or they are placed (or continued) on academic probation.

Students who have earned 0-29 s.h. must have a UI grade-point average of 1.85 or above and a cumulative (UI and transfer) grade-point average of 1.85 or above to be in good standing.

All other students (including non-degree students) must have a UI grade-point average of 2.00 or above and a cumulative (UI and transfer) grade-point average of 2.00 or above to be in good standing.

Students whose UI and/or cumulative grade point average is below these standards will be placed on academic probation.

Students on academic probation are restored to good standing only if both the University of Iowa grade point average and the total cumulative grade point average equal or exceed the grade point averages designated above.

The pass/nonpass (P/N) grading option may not be used by students on academic probation; however, S/F and S/U courses are allowed.

Entering students (including transfer students) may be admitted on probation if they fail to meet the minimum stated standards for admission.

Dismissal from the College

The College reviews the academic records of students on academic probation at the close of the fall semester and at the close of the spring semester. There is no academic review at the close of the summer sessions.

Dismissal in January

Students who are on academic probation during a fall semester and who fail to meet the minimum standard of a fall semester grade point average of 1.50 are subject to dismissal in January. Students who were admitted on probation for a fall semester are included in this group. Nondegree students are not included in this group (see below).

Students who were dismissed at the end of the enrolled semester previous to fall but who had the dismissal revoked on appeal must in the fall semester either achieve good standing or demonstrate significant improvement with a fall semester grade point average of 2.50 or greater. If not, they are subject to dismissal in January.

Students who have been reinstated for a fall semester after an academic dismissal and who fail to achieve a fall semester grade point average of 2.00 are subject to dismissal in January.

Students on academic probation who withdraw their entire registration after the eighth week of the fall semester are subject to dismissal in January.

Nondegree students who have accumulated 12 or more graded semester hours from the University of Iowa and who have been on academic probation for at least two semesters are subject to dismissal in January.

Dismissal in May

First-year students who enter in the fall semester and who are not admitted on academic probation but who are placed on academic probation for the spring semester and who fail to achieve good standing are subject to dismissal from the college in May.

All other students who are on academic probation for the first time in a spring semester and who fail to meet the minimum standard of a spring semester grade point average of 1.50 are subject to dismissal in May. All students who were admitted on probation for a spring semester are included in this group. Nondegree students are not included in this group (see below).

Continuing students are subject to dismissal in May after two or more consecutive semesters on academic probation.

Students who were dismissed at the end of the enrolled semester previous to spring but who had the dismissal revoked on appeal, must during the spring enrollment either achieve good standing or demonstrate significant improvement with a spring semester grade point average of 2.50 or greater. If not, they are subject to dismissal in May.

Students who have been reinstated for a spring semester after an academic dismissal and who fail to meet the minimum standard of a spring semester grade point average of 2.00 are subject to dismissal in May.

Students on academic probation who withdraw their entire registration after the eighth week of the spring semester are subject to dismissal in May.

Right to Appeal a Dismissal

Students who can document that their unsatisfactory academic records were the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a disabling illness or personal crisis, may appeal for a revocation of a dismissal. Students dismissed in January must appeal in writing no later than 4:30 p.m. on the second day of spring semester classes. Students dismissed in May must appeal in writing no later than June 15. No appeals are considered for revocation of a dismissal that would permit enrollment within a six week or an eight week summer session.

The decision of the committee is final.

Appeals may not be handwritten; they must be signed, and must include full name, student identification number, and current address. They must be addressed to the Student Appeals Committee, CLAS Academic Programs & Services, 120 Schaeffer Hall, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1409. Detailed information on the appeals procedure is available in the Academic Programs & Services office.

Reinstatement to the College

Students dismissed for unsatisfactory scholarship for the first time are not permitted to register again for one year, and then may register only after a request for reinstatement and a reinstatement interview. Requests for reinstatement must be made in writing or in person and should be addressed to Assistant Director, Reinstatements, CLAS Academic Programs & Services.

Arrangements for a reinstatement interview must be made and the interview must take place between March 1 and July 1 for reinstatement to a fall semester or between October 1 and December 1 for reinstatement to a spring semester. The College does not reinstate students for a summer or a winter session. Late requests are deferred to the following semester.

Students dismissed for the second time may or may not be granted a second reinstatement. Students dismissed for the second time who wish to discuss their future academic options may schedule an appointment for an interview with an assistant director in CLAS Academic Programs & Services.

Students who are permitted to register following a dismissal are registered on academic probation and ordinarily are allowed two semesters to achieve good standing. However, very poor academic work in the first semester of a reinstatement may result in dismissal at the close of that semester.

Notification and Records

Students continued on academic probation, or dismissed from the college are notified in writing of these actions by the associate dean for academic programs. Mail is sent to the current residing address as listed in the student record. To ensure proper receipt of records, students must update their "residing address" whenever necessary.

Students admitted on probation have the notation "admitted on probation" entered on their permanent records. The notation "on academic probation" is placed on the permanent records of those students who have been placed or continued on academic probation. "Not permitted to register" is entered on the permanent records of students who have been dismissed from the college. When reinstatement has been granted, "permitted to register" for a particular semester or session is entered on the permanent record.