CONCERNING FINAL GRADES

an option for PH for superior work in the judgment of the instructor. Zero credit courses are graded on an S (satisfactory)/U (unsatisfactory) basis. Some zero credit courses may award a grade of NG (Not Graded) to either indicate that a grade is not given or the grade is incorporated in another course (e.g., lab/lecture courses). Grades of P, PH, S, U, or NG do not carry quality points and do not impact grade point averages.

GRADUATE GRADES

Student work is graded A, A–, B+, B, B–, C+, C, and F. Graduate courses may also award grades of C-, D+, D, and D- to undergraduate students; courses with such grades will be considered at the undergraduate level only and will not satisfy graduate program requirements. Graduate grades hold the same quality points as undergraduate grades. Graduate students may not elect to take courses pass/fail, though some graduate courses are graded pass/fail solely.

INCOMPLETE AND WITHDRAWAL GRADES

In addition to the above grades, the symbols I, IP, and W are used for both undergraduate and graduate students. I indicates that the work is incomplete (certain required work postponed by the student for a substantial reason with the prior consent of the instructor) but otherwise satisfactory. This work must be completed within the first four weeks of the end of the course or the I will be converted to an F. Instructors may set an earlier deadline. Appeals for an extension of the incomplete grade past the four-week period must be approved by the instructor and presented to the registrar before the incomplete due date. Extensions of incompletes for graduate students also require the prior approval of the program director. IP (in progress) is a temporary grade for certain courses that have not concluded by the end of the term.

W indicates withdrawal from a course after the add/drop period through the 10th week of a 15-week semester or, for other course lengths, during the first two-thirds of the course, except for undergraduate students in their first semester at LVC (or, for accelerated courses, in their first session) who may withdraw through the last day of a course.

GRADE CHANGES

Once a grade has been recorded, it may not be changed without the approval of the instructor and the registrar. Students who feel the grade may be inaccurate must contact the instructor within 30 days from the end date of the course in question.

Grievances Filed by Students against Faculty Members Concerning Final Grades

A student may file a grievance against a faculty member if the student has sufficient reason to dispute a final grade earned in a course. 2022–2023 Catalog 29

INITIAL STEPS

• The student must first contact their instructor to question the disputed grade.

This contact must be done in writing and must take place as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the end of the course in which the concern originated. The student may seek the support of their academic advisor, or another faculty member, in preparing this written communication. • If the matter is not resolved, the student should arrange a meeting with the instructor to review the grade. If an agreement is reached, the matter is settled. Otherwise, the student may proceed to Mediation.

MEDIATION

• Within 10 College business days of completing the initial steps, the student shall send a written request to the faculty member’s chair or program director (as appropriate), outlining the basis of the grade appeal and requesting a meeting. A copy of this communication must be provided to the instructor by the chair or program director. The department chair or program director will schedule a meeting with the student, chair/program director, and instructor. If an agreement is reached at this level, the problem is resolved, and no further action needs to be taken. If no agreement is reached, the student may elect to proceed to an appeal. If the grade appeal is directed against the chair or program director, the process proceeds without mediation directly to an appeal.

APPEAL

• Within 10 College business days of completing mediation, the student will send to the associate provost of undergraduate studies (APUS) a written request to have the case heard by an Appeals Board. The APUS will, within 10

College business days of receiving the written request, convene an Appeals

Board that will serve for the term of the appeal in question. The board will be made up of two faculty members and one member of the student body. The

APUS will serve as chair of the Appeals Board and as a non-voting member, and is responsible for documenting the events of the hearing and appointing the two faculty members. The student will be selected by the associate dean of student affairs. The student and instructor involved in the appeal must be present during the entire hearing, excluding deliberations. Each may be assisted during the hearing by an advisor from among current students, faculty, administration, or staff. This individual serves in an advisory capacity only. They may not actively participate in the hearing. • The Appeals Board shall have three College business days from the time it is convened to decide. The student and faculty member are to be notified in writing of the board’s decision. The decision of the Appeals Board is final.

RECORDS

The Appeals Board is the final source of appeal and will also serve as the repository of records that are kept of the grievance. After the dissolution of the board, a repository of grievance records will be kept in the Registrar’s Office.