Academic Policies

Procedures and Policies

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Absence Policy

The Student Health Center will provide written verification when it confines students to their residences or the Health Center for 24 hours or longer. Written verification will be provided when a student is hospitalized if the Health Center is aware of the situation. The Health Center does not routinely issue statements verifying a brief student visit to the Health Center. Phone verification of Health Center visits may be provided to an instructor at the student’s request. No confidential information about the student’s health status can be released without the student’s permission. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will be notified by the Health Center when a student is expected to be out of classes for an extended period of time. Faculty members will be notified through their deans’ offices.

Academic Advisors

Academic advisors are assigned in the freshman year by the students’ major department or the Academic Advisement Center. Some departments may reassign their students to different academic advisors during the students’ sophomore year. Secondary education students are assigned academic advisors by the department of secondary education/foundations of education in consultation with the content area department. Exploratory program students are assigned academic advisors by the Academic Advisement Center.

It is the academic advisors’ responsibility to aid their advisees with their academic and educational plans. The advisors are not responsible for making certain that their advisees major and liberal studies requirements have been met. This is the sole responsibility of the students.

Academic Complaints

Students who want to file an appeal concerning any academic matter should first contact their instructor. Barring resolution there, students should contact the appropriate departmental chairperson, then the appropriate dean. Further appeal is to be directed to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Please refer to the university’s Grade Appeal Policy.

Academic Dismissal

Academic dismissal results with the third academic suspension. Students who have been academically dismissed may appeal to the Academic Dismissal Review Board after sitting out for one calendar year.

Academic Integrity

The value of a Slippery Rock University education is determined by the quality and character of Slippery Rock University students and graduates. Therefore, students and student organizations are expected to uphold academic integrity.

• All academic work, including, but not limited to, papers, computer programs, assignments, and tests, must consist of the students’ own work.
• Students are expected to learn and practice proper techniques for accurately citing resource material.
• Students are expected to be honest in all academic work, refraining from all forms of cheating.
• Students are expected to function as students, including, but no limited to, attending class regularly and completing all assignments and examinations.

Students charged with academic dishonesty will deal with either the coordinator of student standards or the course instructor or both. If the instructor handles the matter, the instructor is to inform the departmental chairperson of the problem and its resolution. The department chairperson is to forward the information to the appropriate dean who will then inform the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the instructor decides to refer the matter to the Office of Student Standards, the coordinator of student standards will begin institutional action through an investigation into the matter. If there is sufficient cause, students will be notified of the charges brought against them under the Code of Conduct. The student may then face judicial action, in addition to the instructor’s action, which may include a university hearing board that could lead to suspension or dismissal from the university.

Academic dishonesty may take many forms. Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following:

• buying, selling, or trading papers, projects, or other assignments;
• using or attempting to use any unauthorized book, notes, or assistance from any person during a quiz or examination;
• plagiarizing and/or submitting the work of another as your own;
• fabricating information or citations;
• facilitating dishonest acts of others pertaining to academic work
• possessing unauthorized examinations;
• submitting, without instructor permission, work previously used;
• tampering with the academic work of another person;
• ghosting-taking a quiz or exam in place of a student or having any person take a quiz or exam in your place;
• any attempt to falsify an assigned grade or an examination, quiz, report, or program or in a grade book, document, or other record;
• any attempt, or actual, computer program theft; illegal use of software; inappropriate use of the Internet, such as, but not limited to, illegal or unauthorized transmissions; or improper access to any computer system or account;
• any attempt, or actual, collusion willfully giving or receiving unauthorized or unacknowledged assistance on any assignment (both parties to the collusion are considered responsible.)
• forging a faculty member’s or administrator’s signature on any card, form or document.

Academic Probation

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If the quality point average (QPA) for all courses attempted at Slippery Rock University is less than a 2.000 (C), the student will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation may continue at the university under conditions developed by the appropriate academic dean or the Director of Retention Services and agreed to by the students. Students will also be placed on academic probation whenever they earn less than a 1.000 semester QPA and have a cumulative QPA of 2.000 or higher.

Academic Renewal

Students occasionally perform at an academic level that makes them ineligible to continue their studies, and they withdraw or are suspended from school. Subsequently, some want to resume their college work but find their previous academic record an obstacle.

Academic Renewal provides an opportunity for persons in this situation to apply for a fresh undergraduate start at Slippery Rock University on the basis that their entire prior undergraduate record be disregarded and they begin their college study again with no credits attempted or earned and no quality points earned. No transfer credits taken at any time will be used towards the completion of an SRU degree. Academic Renewal may be awarded to a student only once and is applicable only to students enrolled at Slippery Rock University.

Prior to applying for admission on this basis, at least five years must have elapsed since the end of the semester in which the applicant was last in attendance for credit at any college or university. The applicant must present evidence that the conditions which caused the poor academic record have changed so there is now a reasonable expectation that the applicant will perform satisfactorily if admitted.

Upon approval of the petition by the Director of Retention Services or dean of the college in which the student was enrolled prior to their withdrawal or suspension, the student will be admitted as a beginning freshman. Students showing competency in any area may be allowed advanced standing (without credit) or a waiver of requirements the same as any entry-level student.

It should be noted that the prior record remains a part of the student’s overall academic record, but none of it carries forward as part of a degree program. The date of the Academic Renewal will be entered on the student’s transcript along with a statement prohibiting the use of previously earned credits and quality points in meeting degree requirements, computing grade point average, graduation status, or academic dismissal. Students are cautioned that graduate and professional schools often compute a grade point average over all hours attempted when considering applicants for admission.

Application forms are available in the Office of Retention Services or the dean’s office of each college within the university. The deadline for applying for academic renewal is at the end of the third week of the semester following the student’s return to SRU.

Academic Suspension

Academic suspension will occur as a result of any of the following conditions:

1. Earning a QPA of less than 1.000 for any semester after the first semester and having a cumulative QPA of less than 2.000.
2. Earning 90 or more semester credits (senior standing) and having a cumulative QPA less than 2.000.
3. If the student is on academic probation for three consecutive semesters.
4. The following table outlines other conditions under which a student will be subject to academic suspension:

Ordinarily, a first suspension is for a period of one semester; a second suspension is for a period of two semesters. All three summer sessions are considered as one semester for purposes of suspension. Students under suspension are not permitted to register for summer classes at Slippery Rock University.

Suspension may result whenever any student incurs grade deficiencies as stipulated above at the conclusion of any semester or summer session. Students who desire to take courses at another institution while on academic suspension should see Transient Student Status in this section.

Attendance Policy

Slippery Rock University does not have a university-wide class attendance policy. Traditionally, attendance policies for individual classes have been determined by the instructor and communicated to the class at the first meeting and through the syllabus. The university believes, however, that class attendance, preparation, and participation are integral components of student success. It is unusual for a student to be successful in a class without attending, preparing, and participating regularly. Therefore, the faculty and administration strongly encourage students to attend every class session, to spend at least two hours in review and preparation for each hour in class, and to participate fully in all aspects of the class.

Attendance may be required for class meetings or field trips outside the regular schedule if such activities are listed as required in a course description in the catalog or in course syllabi. Instructors are asked to consider making allowances for absences occasioned by illness and by authorized activities for the benefit of the university. Arrangements to make up work because of class absences are the students’ responsibility.

Auditing Courses

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Students desiring to audit courses (no credit awarded) must receive approval of their advisor. Normal registration procedures must be completed. The cost of auditing courses and taking courses for credit are the same. Students may not change from an audit status to a graded status (A-F and P/NC) or vice versa after the second week of the semester.

Change of Major

Forms for changing majors may be obtained in the offices of the deans, Academic Records and Summer School, academic departments or the Academic Advisement Center. Students are reminded that they must meet the major academic requirements that are in effect at the time they declare a new major.

Classification of Students

Undergraduate students are classified according to the number of semester credits completed.

90-120 semester credits or more		senior
60-89 semester credits		junior
30-59 semester credits		sophomore
0-29 semester credits or less		freshman

Classification questions are to be directed to the Office of Academic Records and Summer School.

Continuous Registration

The following Basic Requirement courses within the liberal studies program are subject to the university’s continuous registration policy:

• Connecting Reading and Writing
• College Writing I
• College Writing II
• Public Speaking
• Developmental Mathematics
• Beginning Algebra

These courses will be graded as A, B, C, or NC (no credit) the first time taken. If an “NC” is earned, students must repeat the course during their next semester of enrollment if seats are available and must continue taking the course until it is passed with a grade of “C” or better. When these basic requirement courses are repeated, they will be graded as A, B, C, or F.

Once classes begin, students are not permitted to drop or withdraw from one of the basic requirement courses listed above.

Course Levels

The following course numbering system is used: 100-199 are freshman level courses; 200-299 are sophomore level courses; 300-399 are junior level courses; 400-499 are senior level courses. Graduate courses are numbered 500-800. With approval of the dean, juniors and seniors having a 2.500 cumulative quality point average may enroll in 500 numbered courses for undergraduate credit. Only seniors with their dean’s permission are permitted to register for graduate credit in courses numbered 500 and above. Post-baccalaureate students may take 500 level courses for undergraduate credit, and, with the permission of the dean of their college, 500 or 600 level courses for graduate credit. 600 - 800 level courses may not be taken for undergraduate credit.

Credit by Examination

Under certain conditions it is possible for students to take credit courses by examination in a subject field. A grade of “P” or “NC” must be awarded but only passing grades will be recorded on students’ records for coursework taken through Credit by Examination. Students may take Credit by Examination only once per course. Further information is available in the offices of the deans and in the Office of Academic Records and Summer School. See Testing for Advanced Placement in this catalog.

Credit for Military Service

Slippery Rock University awards credit for military service and military schooling. Credit is not awarded solely for the completion of basic training or for Military Occupational Specialties (MOS).

To receive credit for military service, a student must submit a DD214 or other official military record documenting a minimum of one year of continuous active duty. Students meeting this requirement will be awarded three credits of basic military science.

Students may receive credit for military schooling, regardless of the length of active or inactive duty, by submitting a DD214, Army/ACE Registry Transcript (AARTS), Sailor/Marine/ACE Registry Transcript (SMART) or other official military record documenting completion of military coursework. Credit is not awarded for military occupation specialties (MOS).

All evaluations are based upon the recommendations found in the American Council on Education’s “Guidebook to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.”

Students should submit their DD214 and all applicable military educational records to the Executive Director of Academic Records, Summer School, and Graduate Studies - Room 107, Old Main.

Degree Requirements

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Application for Graduation

Students must make formal application to the Office of Academic Records and Summer School by October 1 (Fall), March 1 (Spring), or June 15 (Summer). A diploma fee is payable at that time. Students who are eligible for a Pennsylvania teaching certificate should apply to the College of Education at the time they apply for graduation. A certification fee is payable at the time of application. (Students who expect to teach in Pennsylvania must take a physical examination and a chest X-ray or a tuberculin skin test during their senior year. Arrangements must be made with the university health center at the beginning of the last semester of the senior year.) Students who apply for Pennsylvania certification must also submit a criminal record clearance form. The application fee for graduation is nontransferable and cannot be updated to another semester if the student fails to graduate, but the certification fee may be refunded.

Students who meet all graduation requirements in a given term but fail to apply for graduation and/or pay their graduation fee until after the semester ends will be graduated at the end of the semester in which their application is received in the Office of Academic Records and Summer School, not the term they completed their coursework.

Completion of Degree/Certificate Requirements

It is the students’ responsibility to complete all degree/certificate requirements and to know the university’s requirements for graduation. This is not the responsibility of the students’ advisors.

Students must meet all graduation requirements by the official end of the semester in which they have applied to graduate. Failure to do so (Incomplete grades in any course or “X” grades in required courses, no application, etc.) will result in the updating of the students’ graduation date to the end of the term/year the work is eventually completed.

Exit Examinations

Some students are required to take specific standardized examinations in liberal studies and/or their major area of study before their degrees will be conferred.

Graduation Requirements

1. All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.
2. Students must complete their last 30 credits in residence at SRU. In addition, individual departments may establish residency requirements for their majors and minors. Students should check with their academic advisor to determine the requirements for their academic program
3. Students must complete a minimum of 48 credits of Liberal Studies coursework.
4. Students must complete 48 credits of upper-division coursework. Thirty-nine of the 48 credits must be at the 300-level or higher, the additional 9 credits may include courses requiring a 3 credit prerequisite. At least 24 of the 48 credits must be completed at SRU.
5. Students must complete at least half their major (15 credit minimum) in 300 or higher level courses. Students must complete at least 12 credits in their major department at SRU.
6. All students must complete two Intensive Writing courses. Intensive Writing courses may be completed as a Liberal Studies or Major Requirement. Intensive Writing courses completed at other institutions can not be used to satisfy this requirement.
7. Bachelor of Arts degrees require language proficiency at the 103 class level. Exemption by placement or examination is possible. Language courses used to satisfy the BA requirement may not be used in the Goal section of the Global Community block of the liberal studies program.
8. Students must complete at least 60 credits at SRU to be considered for Latin Honors at the point of graduation.

Minimum Credit Hour and Quality Point Requirements

All degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. At least 30 credits must be completed to earn a major and at least 18 credits must be completed to earn a minor. The majority of programs require minimum cumulative and major quality point averages of 2.000; some programs require a higher average. This information is available from the department advisor or chairperson. To be eligible for teacher certification, students entering fall 2003 or thereafter, must have a 3.000 cumulative average in all university coursework.

Modern Language Requirement for BA Degree

Proficiency at the 103 class level of a modern language, or the equivalent, is required for all bachelor of arts degree candidates. Exemption by placement or examination is possible. The modern language courses used to satisfy the BA requirement may not be used in the goal or enrichment section of the global community block of the liberal studies program.

Residency

To qualify for graduation, all students must complete their last 30 credits in residence at Slippery Rock University. In addition, at least 24 credits of upper division course work, 12 credits within the student’s major and 6 credits within a minor must be earned in residence at Slippery Rock University. Students should check with their academic advisor to determine the residency requirement for their specific academic program.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

If students complete, simultaneously, the requirements of two-degree programs, only one degree will be conferred at commencement. The university transcript will record, both majors but only the degree eared in a student’s first academic major.

If students desire to earn a second baccalaureate degree at Slippery Rock University, they may do so by:

• enrolling as a post-baccalaureate student and,
• taking a minimum of 30 credits at SRU after the first baccalaureate degree,
• meeting departmental requirements for the degree in respect to the required credits and courses for a major in that department, and
• meeting degree requirements in respect to courses required for the requested degree.

Latin Honors at graduation will not be awarded to second-degree candidates, nor are post-baccalaureate students eligible for the dean’s list.

Drop, Add, Withdrawal

Full semester courses may be added during the first two weeks of the semester, but permission by the professor is required after the first week of classes. Students desiring to add closed sections of courses for which they have the required pre/co-requisite must always receive the professor’s approval. Courses dropped during the first week of the semester will not be recorded on the students’ permanent records unless students withdraw from all their classes, in which case grades of “W” will be awarded. Students may withdraw from full semester classes with a grade of “W” between the second and tenth weeks of the semester. Students will not be permitted to withdraw from classes after the tenth week and will be held accountable and awarded a final grade for all coursework, exams and other work assigned during the final five weeks of the semester. For courses meeting fewer than 15 weeks, the withdrawal deadline is two thirds of the way through the course’s beginning and ending dates. Students may not drop or withdraw from Basic Requirement courses, with the exception of Interpreting Literature, once the semester has started.

Yellow drop/add cards may be used to add classes until the end of the second week of the semester, and until the end of the first week of the term to drop classes. After the first week of the semester, student may no longer drop classes, but may withdraw from classes with a grade of “W” by using a blue withdrawal card.

Students who for exceptional reasons are permitted to drop, add, or withdraw from classes after the university’s stated deadlines must receive their respective dean’s/Director of Retention Services’ approval and will be charged $15 for each late transaction.

Final Examinations

At the end of each semester, all final examinations are administered during the time stipulated in the examination schedule, which is printed in the master schedule of course offerings. The decision to give a final examination is the prerogative of faculty members; but if a final examination is given, it is to be administered according to the time as indicated in the examination schedule. The appropriate dean must approve any exceptions to this policy. Classes will meet during the scheduled examination time if no examinations are given.

Freshman Cohort and Student Athlete Graduation Rate

In accordance with the Students Right to Know and Campus Security Act (PL 101-542) as amended by the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991 (PL 102-26), Slippery Rock University will publish the graduation rate of its first time, full-time degree seeking undergraduates in each of its Master Class schedules. This information is also available in a more detailed format from the Office of Academic Records and Summer School and at the university’s Student Consumer website: http://www.sru.edu/pages/12853.asp

Grade Information

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Procedure for Filing Grade Appeal

Academic Due Process Procedures
The purpose of the following procedure is to provide students with a system by which to grieve complaints of alleged academic injustice(s) relating to a final grade and/or professional responsibilities. Students should have protection through orderly procedures against unsubstantiated academic evaluation. Students who believe that their final course grade reflects unsubstantiated academic evaluation may initiate and pursue a grade change appeal in accordance with provisions of this document. At the same time, all academic rights and privileges of faculty members are to be honored in this process, which includes careful review of the course syllabus. Changes in final course grades will occur only when, as a result of this grade appeal process, there is clear evidence of unsubstantiated academic evaluation.

Since the grade process involves the instructor’s judgment of the academic performance of a student the only issue under consideration in the grade appeal process is whether or not the student can present clear evidence that the assignment of the grade was based on factors other than the academic judgment of the instructor.

Some examples of the basis for a legitimate disagreement could include, but not be limited to prejudiced, capricious, or unsubstantiated academic evaluation by the instructor:

1. The instructor did not inform the student of the basis for calculation of grades.
2. The instructor did not calculate the student’s grade in accordance with the instructor’s stated policy for calculating grades. Significant and unwarranted deviation from grading procedures and course outlines set at the beginning of the course (ordinarily during the first week of the course) or a grade assigned arbitrarily and capriciously on the basis of whim, impulse or caprice.
3. There is an error in the computation of the grade that was not corrected.
4. The student, through no fault of his or her own, was not provided with the same opportunity to complete the requirements for the course in terms, for example, of time, access to materials, or access to the instructor as the other students.

A student may not claim arbitrariness and capriciousness if he/she disagrees with the subjective professional evaluation of the instructor.

The following steps must be followed in the appeals procedure:

Informal Procedure:

• The student must discuss the final course grade, grading practices and assignments with the instructor who gave the final grade. This discussion may eliminate any misunderstandings over the assignment of the grade as relates to the course syllabus. This discussion must occur no later than 10 days after the beginning of the semester (not summer) following the issuance of the final grade.
• If the faculty member finds in the student’s favor, a grade change card is submitted with signatures and the appeal process is resolved.

If a student and instructor fail to resolve the grade dispute through informal means the student may request a formal grade appeal process by completing a Final Grade Appeal Form that may be obtained in the Office of Academic Records and Summer School.

Formal Procedure:

Step One - Instructor

The student must complete and submit the “student” portion of the Final Grade Appeal Form to the course instructor no later than 21 days after the beginning of the semester following the issuance of the final grade. The summer term does not constitute a semester.

• The student must retain a copy of the Final Grade Appeal Form for his/her records and send a copy to the department chairperson (or substitute). The chairperson of the department evaluation committee shall substitute for the department chairperson IF the department chairperson was the instructor of the course in which the grade is being appealed.
• The department chairperson (or substitute) is to confirm that the instructor is aware of the grade appeal and is to inquire as to the instructor’s planned response.
• If the instructor decides that the final grade is correct, he/she must complete the “instructor” portion of the Final Grade Appeal Form, and return it to the student and send a copy to the chairperson (or substitute) within 14 days of receipt of the student’s appeal.
• If an instructor fails to respond within the allotted time, the appeal shall move to step 2 below.

If a faculty member whose grade(s) are being appealed is no longer employed by the university or is unavailable due to a sabbatical, sick leave, or other reasons during the time period allotted for the appeal process, the appeal should be directed to the chair of the department’s evaluation committee for review.

Step Two - Department Chairperson

If the student wishes to appeal further, he/she must submit the original Final Grade Appeal Form (or copy if the instructor fails to respond as described in step 1 above) to the department chairperson (or substitute). This appeal must be submitted within 14 days of the dated instructor’s response, or if the instructor does not respond, within 28 days after the appeal was originally filed with the instructor. A copy of the Final Grade Appeal Form must be forwarded to the college dean.

• The department chairperson (or substitute) will review the appeal within 7 days.
• Before the department chairperson (or substitute) determines if the student’s complaint provides evidence that the instructor’s assignment of the grade was based on factors other than the academic judgment of the instructor he/she will review the appeal with the instructor.
• The chairperson (or substitute) may also conduct whatever informal investigation seems necessary and should attempt to achieve a negotiated settlement.
• If the department chairperson (or substitute) determines the student’s evidence does not meet the criteria for a grade appeal, the chairperson (or substitute) will forward his/her decision on the grade appeal to the college dean.
• A copy of the Final Grade Appeal Form must be forwarded to the student and the instructor.
• If the department chairperson (or substitute) determines the student’s evidence does meet the criteria for a grade appeal, he/she will recommend in writing to the instructor a course of action to amend the grade.
• The instructor must indicate on the Final Grade Appeal Form whether he/she agrees or disagrees with the chairperson’s recommendation, signs and returns the Final Grade Appeal Form to the chairperson within 7 days.
• If the instructor amends the grade, a signed grade change card is submitted and the grade appeal is ended.
• If the instructor does not agree to amend the grade or fails to respond in the allotted time, the chairperson (or substitute) submits the Final Grade Appeal Form to the college dean with his/her recommendation within 7 days. A copy of the recommendation must be forwarded to the student and the instructor.

Step Three - Dean

• If the dean, upon review of the chairperson’s recommendation, also determines the student’s evidence does not meet the criteria for a grade appeal, the dean will complete and return the Grade Appeal Form to the student with a copy to the instructor and chairperson (or substitute) within 7 days. The grade appeal process ends.
• If the dean, upon review of the chairperson’s recommendation, determines that the student’s evidence does meet the criteria for a grade appeal, the dean shall initiate a meeting with the faculty member. The dean shall review the appeal, can hear evidence by each side, and may collect further evidence as desirable.
• If agreement cannot be reached, the dean will forward the Final Grade Appeal Form to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs within 7 days, with his/her recommendation that the grade appeal be referred to a Grade Appeal Board. A copy of the Final Grade Appeal Form must be forwarded to the student, instructor, and chairperson.

In each of the above statements, the chairperson of the department evaluation committee shall substitute for the department chairperson IF the department chairperson was the instructor of the course in which the grade is being appealed. Should the chair of the evaluation committee not be available, APSCUF will be consulted in the process in choosing the substitute.

Composition of Grade Appeal Board

• Three faculty recommended by APSCUF. One from the academic department in which the course is taught. Not the instructor.
• Two managers selected by the provost. One to be the dean of the college in which the course was taught.
• One student recommended by Student Government Association. A senior major in the department in which the course is taught.
• Normally, each Grade Appeal Board will be appointed to hear one appeal.
• Those responsible for recommending board members should be sensitive to race and gender composition.
• The provost will appoint each board and chairperson within the parameters above.

Grade Appeal Board Procedures

Each Grade Appeal Board is to determine its procedures for hearing the grade appeal. Normally, both the student and the instructor will be given an opportunity to state his/her case before the board.

Students who appeal a grade to a Grade Appeal Board are responsible for maintaining ALL written materials relevant to the appeal, such as papers, examinations, and completed assignments. Further, the appeals board must have access to appropriate documentation and academic records pertaining to the course grade in question.

Each appeals board will make its recommendation to the university president, who may accept or reject the recommendation.

Since the university president has the power and duty to direct the activities of the institution, nothing in this policy should be construed as to diminish that authority in any way.

After the appeals process is complete, the only record to be maintained will be the student’s final grade.

Grade Change

Once a grade has been posted, it can only be changed by the professor who originally awarded the grade. If the professor is no longer employed by the university or is not available for some other reason, the request for a grade change should be discussed with the department chairperson. Grade changes must be processed on a grade change card and must be approved by the professor and the chairperson of the department in which the course was offered.

A memorandum of explanation from both instructor and departmental chairperson must accompany any grade change submitted after more than a year has passed since the student received the original grade. This information is submitted to the Office of Academic Records and Summer School. Students who attended a full semester class beyond the 10th week may not have their grades changed to a withdrawal “W” without their dean’s approval.

Grade Release Policy

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Students’ midterm grades and final grades are available on the university’s ROCK TALK telephone and web-based systems.

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) grades will not be released to a third party (including parents) without the written permission of the students.

Grading Symbols and Quality Point Conversion System

A - Excellent		4 quality points
B - Good		3 quality points
C - Satisfactory		2 quality points
D - Poor		1 quality point
F - Failure		0 quality points
I - Incomplete		0 quality points
P - Pass		0 quality points
NC - No Credit		0 quality points
AU - Audit		0 quality points
W - Withdrawal		0 quality points
X - No grade given		0 quality points

Grading System and Policies

Instructors are to inform their students in writing during the first week of classes of their grading procedures and policies, especially explaining how final grades are calculated.

Incomplete Grades

The assignment of an incomplete grade is the prerogative of the faculty and is granted only when extenuating circumstances prevent students from completing the course requirements within the regular time period. Faculty also reserve the right to set any deadline for the completion of the incomplete work; however, students not receiving an earlier deadline will have a maximum of 12 months after receiving the incomplete to finish all coursework and receive a change of grade. If a faculty member does not submit a grade change card within 12 months, regardless of whether or not the student attends the university, the grade will automatically convert to an “F”. Requests for extensions of incomplete grades, beyond 12 months, must be submitted by the faculty member and approved by the dean of the college in which the course was offered. Students will not be permitted to graduate with an incomplete grade on their record.

Pass-No Credit Grades

Students may schedule a maximum of 12 credits of pass-no credit grading in the sophomore, junior and senior years combined. Students must select these courses at registration and cannot change the pass-no credit designations after the second week of the semester. For these 12 credits, only free elective courses may be taken on a pass-no credit basis. Pass-no credit courses may not be used to satisfy major, minor, intensive writing, the BA modern language, and the university’s liberal studies program requirements. Some selected courses are not included in the 12-credit limitation. Students may not take more than one pass-no credit course during a semester.

Courses taken under the pass-no credit system are not used in computing the QPA. Credit for such courses is recorded toward meeting the total credit requirements if the course is passed. A grade of NC (no credit) will be recorded if the course is failed.

Pass-no credit is not synonymous with audit. In pass-no credit, all course requirements must be met.

Quality Point Average

Quality points for a single course are calculated by multiplying the points assigned the letter grade (A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0) by the number of credits of the course. Total quality points are calculated by adding the quality points earned in each course. The quality point average (QPA) is computed by dividing the total quality points earned by the total number of credits attempted, (repeated courses are counted only once). Grades earned in courses taken at other colleges for transfer are not computed in the quality point average at Slippery Rock University unless the courses were taken with Slippery Rock University’s approval as a “Visiting Student” or “Distance Education Student” at another PA State System of Higher Education university. Further explanation concerning the calculation of the QPA may be directed to the student’s academic adviser, the Advisement Center or the Office of Academic Records and Summer School.

X Symbol

The symbol “X” means “no grade given.” This symbol will be used only in those rare situations when professors cannot assign students a letter grade or incomplete.

The “X” symbol will not affect the students’ semester or cumulative QPA at the time it is given. However, the “X” symbol must be removed from the students’ record prior to the end of the students’ next semester of enrollment. Otherwise, it will be converted automatically to an “F” and will then be used in the students’ semester and cumulative QPA calculations. The “X” symbol cannot be extended beyond the students’ next semester of enrollment.

If graduating students receive an “X” during their final semester of enrollment, they will be permitted to graduate as long as the course in question is not required for graduation.

Name Change

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Students may have their names changed on official university records only after submitting an official document (marriage certificate, court record, etc.) or a notarized statement that a name change has occurred and the new name is not being used for any deceptive or fraudulent purpose. Copies of the university’s policy and a sample affidavit are available from the Office of Academic Records and Summer School.

Notice of Consumer Information Web Site and Annual Security Report

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In accordance with the provisions of the Student Right to Know and Clery Acts, students are urged to access SRU’s Consumer Information Website: http://www.sru.edu/pages/12853.asp (Including campus crime statistics, graduation rates, and Students Rights to Privacy.)