Grading Policies

Grading Policy for Undergraduates

All undergraduates are graded according to the following system:

All of the above grades are used in the calculation of the grade point average (GPA).

Definition of Grades

Grade = A

Outstanding Achievement
Significantly Exceeds Standards

Grade = B

Commendable Achievement
Exceeds Standards

Grade = C

Acceptable Achievement
Meets Standards

Grade = D

Marginal Achievement
Below Standards

Grade = F

Failing

Other Grades

Additional grades CCA uses, though omitted when calculating a GPA* (MFA Design Program being an exception as it uses grade points):

*Grade points are assigned to LP, P, and HP within the Graduate Design Program..

Midterm Progress Reports

Near the midpoint of the semester, all instructors have the option of providing a midterm evaluation of the progress of each of their students.

Progress is evaluated with one of two possible ratings:

Only one rating can be assigned for each class. A student who demonstrates unsatisfactory progress and attendance problems in a particular class may be assigned an evaluation of UP or AT by the instructor, but not both.

Students who have been assigned an evaluation of UP or AT will be notified by email of a problem with their progress. This report will be sent to the student's CCA email account.

The report is meant to warn of problems while there is still time for the student to improve the grade or withdraw from the class. Students who receive these reports are strongly urged to consult with their instructors and their advisors to discuss their options and develop strategies for improving their academic performance.

The lack of receipt of a midterm warning should not be taken to indicate that a student's performance in a given class is satisfactory. Students should always consult with their instructors regarding their progress in classes.

Extensions

Students who are unable to complete the work for a course due to an unforeseen emergency after the tenth week of the semester may request an extension. Extension Request forms can be obtained from and returned to either Student Records office. The lower section of the form must be completed and signed by the instructor of the course in which the extension is being requested.

At least two-thirds of the semester's course work must have been completed and the student must be passing the class in the tenth week to be eligible for an extension. Extensions are not granted to students on academic, admission, or disciplinary probation.

Because all of their grades must be finalized before degrees are granted, graduating students are asked not to take extensions.

Students who have received an extension must normally complete the outstanding course work before the end of the sixth week of the following semester; instructors may set earlier deadlines at their discretion. If the student completes the work by the deadline, the instructor will assign a final grade for the course. Otherwise, the instructor or the Student Records Office will assign a grade of F for the course.

Students on financial aid who do not complete all of their course work in a given semester may be required to complete that course work the following semester in order to maintain their financial aid eligibility. Completion of this work is in addition to any other enrollment and eligibility requirements.

A student who receives an extension in a prerequisite course will not be permitted to enroll in the subsequent course until the prerequisite has been completed successfully.

Grade Reports

Updated grade reports are mailed to students' local addresses at the end of each semester. Grade reports include the student's term and cumulative grade point averages. Students who desire that additional grade reports be sent to parents or organizations can file a request for an official transcript with the Student Records office. More information can be found in Transcripts.

Grade Appeals

Any student who wishes to appeal a grade should discuss the matter with the instructor as soon as possible after receiving the grade. If the matter remains unresolved following this discussion, the student should consult with the Academic Affairs Office.

There are only two conditions under which the college will change a final grade as submitted by an instructor:

• The grade resulted from a recording error.
• There is specific evidence that the instructor evaluated the student's work in a manner inconsistent with that used to evaluate the work of other students in the course or specific evidence of personal bias against an individual student.

A student who wishes to contest a grade for either of these reasons must contact the instructor of the course in writing by the end of the fourth week of the following semester. The student should request clarification of the grade and address one of these two conditions; in the case of the second condition, the student must also include evidence supporting the claim. If the instructor is not available, the student should contact the appropriate program chair.

If attempts to resolve the issue with the instructor are unsuccessful, the student may appeal to the program chair and the Academic Affairs Office within two weeks of receiving the instructor's decision. The student must detail the nature of the discussions with the instructor and present a case justifying a grade change. After consultation with the instructor, the program chair and the Academic Affairs Office will weigh the evidence and make a final decision.

For further assistance with the process of grade appeals, students should consult the the Advising Office