Grading System

Student work is evaluated according to the following system: A for excellent, B for good, C for satisfactory, D for passing, F for failing, I for incomplete work (see below), W for withdrawn, WF for withdrawn failing, and P for passing in a pass/fail course. Grades are recorded in the registrar’s office, and, with the exception of I, may not be changed except in cases of clerical error. Such extensions can be granted only by that office. Such changes — i.e., those based on a clerical error should be made no later than the semester following the one in which the original grade was given.

The grade I (incomplete) is given only when a professor deems that a student has failed to complete the work of a course for legitimate and unavoidable reasons. The incomplete must be replaced with a grade within one week after final examinations. An extension exceeding one week requires that a student supply very clear evidence of extenuating circumstances to the associate dean of the college.

Averages are computed in grade points. Each graded semester hour of academic credit carries with it a corresponding number of grade points as follows:

A+	4.33
A	4.00
A-	3.67
B+	3.33
B	3.00
B-	2.67
C+	2.33
C	2.00
C-	1.67
D+	1.33
D	1.00
D-	0.67
F	0.00

Class standing and eligibility for graduation are determined by the number of semester hours and cumulative grade point average a student has earned.

Grade Appeal

A student who believes that he or she has been assigned a course grade which is unfair or inappropriate, and who has been unable to resolve the matter with the faculty member directly, may appeal to the College Standards Committee. Appeals should be initiated no later than the semester following the one in which the grade in question was given. Such appeals are made by letter to the committee via the associate dean of the college and are taken up as regular agenda items at the next scheduled meeting. The associate dean informs the faculty member involved of the appeal and invites this faculty member to respond to the student’s claim.

The concept of academic freedom as practiced at the college prohibits the committee or any administrative officer from forcing a faculty member to change a grade. Therefore, an appeal serves more as a form of peer review than an appeal per se. The committee may suggest a solution to the dispute, may request that both the faculty member and the student justify their positions, and may recommend legislation to the faculty that might prevent conflicts from occurring in the future.

All faculty members should be aware that they may be asked to justify their personal grading procedures and should keep adequate records of class performance. In addition, faculty should not request grade changes later than the semester following the one in which the grade in question was given.

Pass/Fail Courses

Juniors and seniors with at least a 2.00 GPA may take one graded course each semester on a pass/fail basis. Pass/fail designations must be made before mid-semester. No required course or prerequisite for a required course may be taken pass/fail. This means that a student who has completed all major or minor requirements but who wishes to take an additional course or courses in the field of the major or minor may be allowed to do so. Of the thirty-two full courses needed for graduation requirements, no more than four may be taken pass/fail. A few regular courses in the college are offered on a pass/fail basis only, but these are not restricted to juniors and seniors and do not affect a student’s eligibility to take other courses on this basis.

Students should establish as early as possible in the semester which, if any, courses will be taken on a pass/fail basis. Up until mid-semester a course may be established as pass/fail with the approval of the faculty advisor and the course instructor. Given the time span for declaring a course pass/fail, students are not allowed to declare a course pass/fail after the deadline. With the permission of the instructor, a student may change from pass/fail to normal grading up to two weeks after mid-semester.

A senior with a 2.00 GPA or higher may take all courses on a pass/fail basis during the semester in which the comprehensive examination is scheduled, subject to the restrictions in the first paragraph.

The grade P, for pass, does not affect the grade point average. If a student fails a pass/fail class, the grade counts as an F.

Courses taken away from Sewanee (e.g., on study abroad or in summer school elsewhere) should not be taken on a pass/fail basis.