Academic Affairs

Commencement
Information

Lecturer/Faculty Information

Section III: Student Course Registration & Grading

		Academic Appeals			Registration
		Grades/Grading (Policies & Practices)			Adds
		Audit (AU)			Drops
		Incomplete Authorized (I) and Incomplete Charged (IC)			Instructor-Initiated Drops
		Report Delayed (RD)			Withdrawal
		Satisfactory Progress (SP)			Unauthorized Withdrawal
		Unauthorized Withdrawal (WU)			University Extended Education/Registration through Open University
		Grade Symbols

Academic Appeals

A student who alleges capricious or prejudicial treatment by a faculty member or university administrator has a right to file an appeal of that course grade. In such cases the student assumes the burden of proof and must provide evidence in support of the charge. Procedures for both actions are described in UPS 300.030 and UPS 300.031.

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Grades/Grading (Policies and Practices)

The University statement which defines letter grades and their corresponding grade points is found in the University Catalog and UPS 300.020. Faculty have the option of using plus/minus grading to make finer distinctions in assigning grades. Course outlines must include the grading standards and criteria used as well as a statement indicating whether or not plus/minus grading will be used.

With respect to final examinations, faculty have the right and the responsibility to provide careful evaluation and timely assignments of appropriate grades each term. The faculty shall record grades for their students through on-line grading available via their CMS Faculty Center. Grades are to be posted by the instructor by the published deadline.

The grading system includes traditional grades (A+ through F), non-traditional grades (CR, NC), and administrative symbols. Since the administrative symbols may be less familiar in their definition and use, see following pages for a brief overview of these symbols. Further information is available in the University Catalog, the Registration Guide and UPS 300.020.

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Audit (AU)

The symbol AU is available as a grade option in those instances where a student is enrolled in a course either for information only, or other purposes not related to the student's formal academic objective. Enrollment as an auditor is subject to the permission of the instructor, and shall be permitted only after students otherwise eligible to enroll in the course on a credit basis have had an opportunity to do so. Any student who is seeking to audit a class must obtain the 'Audits and Grade Change Options' form in Registration (LH-114) which must be signed by the course instructor. The student must return this form to Registration so that the selection of the 'Audit' grade option can be entered on the system. An auditor may not change to credit status and a student who is enrolled for credit may not change to audit after the second week of instruction. An auditor is not permitted to take examinations in the course; therefore there is not a basis for evaluation nor a formal grade report.

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Incomplete Authorized (I) and Incomplete Charged (IC)

The symbol “I” signifies that a portion of required course work has not been completed and evaluated in the prescribed time period owing to unforeseen but fully justified reasons and that there is still a possibility of earning credit. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the request, and bring pertinent information (including, if applicable, any substantiating documentation) to the instructor. The student and instructor need to reach agreement on the means by which the remaining course requirements will be satisfied so that a final grade can be assigned. The remaining course requirements may not include retaking or attending a major portion of the course. The agreement reached between instructor and student as to the remaining course requirements is to be documented in writing on the "Statement of Requirements for Completion of Course Work" form, with a copy retained by both the instructor and the student. This form is available to instructors in the department offices and the Admissions and Records Service Center (LH-114).

An Incomplete (I) must be made up within one year following the end of the term during which it was assigned. This limitation prevails whether or not the student maintains continuous enrollment. An extension of this time may be granted by the instructor upon request from the student based on extraordinary reasons. Admissions and Records sends a report at the end of each semester to any instructor who has students with 'I' grades that are due to convert at the end of the term. The instructor must indicate on this report whether the student's 'I' is to convert to 'IC', or whether there is to be additional time permitted for completing the 'I', indicating the amount of additional time being authorized. Admissions and Records must be informed of the required action on student 'I' grades by returning this report to LH-114.

If the Incomplete is not converted within the prescribed time limit, or any extension thereof, it will be replaced by “IC” (Incomplete Charged) and shall be counted as a failing grade in calculating grade point average and progress points. Please see UPS 300.017 for additional detailed information.

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Report Delayed (RD)

The RD symbol is used when a delay occurs in submitting final grades by the reporting deadline at the end of the semester. This symbol is assigned by the registrar only, and must be replaced by the appropriate grade as soon as possible. At the end of a semester, any grades not submitted by the required deadline must be reported on an individual grade change form for each student and sent to the Records Office for processing. An RD is not included in calculation of a grade-point-average.

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Satisfactory Progress (SP)

The SP symbol is used in connection with thesis, project or similar courses that extend beyond one academic term. It indicates that work is in progress, and has been evaluated and found to be satisfactory to date, but that assignment of a final grade must await completion of additional course work. Cumulative enrollment in units attempted may not exceed the total number applicable to the student's educational objective. Work is to be completed within a stipulated period which may not exceed one year, except for graduate degree theses or projects for which the time may be longer, but may not exceed the overall limit for completion of all master's degree requirements.

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Unauthorized Withdrawal (WU)

The WU symbol indicates that an enrolled student did not withdraw from the course but failed to complete course requirements. It is used when, in the opinion of the instructor, completed assignments or course activities, or both, were insufficient to make normal evaluation of academic performance possible. For purposes of grade-point computations, this symbol is equivalent to an F. Please see UPS 300.018 for additional information.

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Grade Symbols

Beginning with the Spring semester of 2005, plus and minus grades were permitted. Included will be the following options*:

*Pursuant to UPS 300.004, there should be a statement in the course syllabus indicating whether or not the +/- system will be used.

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Registration

Procedures for adding, dropping and withdrawing from classes are described in the Registration Guide (available online) and the University Catalog. For any questions regarding registration issues or procedures that are explained below, please call the Admissions and Records Service Center at (657)278-7601.

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Adds

During the first week of classes, all classes must be added through Titan Online, except for those courses indicated as restricted. For these restricted classes, an electronic permit must be placed in the registration system by the academic department. After the permit is placed, students must complete the registration process through Titan Online (Accessed through their Student Portal).

During the second week of classes, the student must obtain an electronic permit. Registering by means of an electronic permit is a two-step process. The first step involves the academic department posting the permit on the system. The second step requires the student to complete the process by registering for the class through Titan Online. The permit expires at the end of the second week of classes.

During the third and fourth week of classes (Late Add period), the student must submit a Petition for a Late Addition of Classes form signed by the instructor, department chair and associate dean (or designee) to the Admissions and Records Service Center in Langsdorf Hall, Room 114.

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Drops

During the first and second week of classes, students who wish to drop a course may do so using Titan Online.

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Instructor-Initiated Drops

If a student is absent from the first class meeting and the student contacts you or the department office within 24 hours after the missed class meeting, it is up to the instructor to determine if the student could make up the missed work and continue in the course. If you determine that the amount of work missed in the class is sufficient to prevent the student from continuing in the course, you may administratively drop the student by following the steps below:

·   From the Faculty Center, print a copy of your class roster. Printed class lists are not distributed as "real time" class lists are available online.

·   Line through the names only (not the student ID numbers) of those students that you want dropped from the class.

·   For each one, write next to the name 'NS' if the student was a "no show" or 'NP' if the student does not meet prerequisites for the course.

·   Sign your name somewhere on each page that has edits. If you have a multi-page class list, you need to submit the entire list.

·   Return the class list on which you have lined out names to the Registration Office (LH-114).

·   As an alternative to the method described above, you may also continue to use the former drop forms available in your department office.

Because the administrative drop is optional, students should be advised that failure to attend does not automatically cause them to be dropped. Those students who wish to drop a course should follow the standard class withdrawal procedures as provided for in the "Change of Program" instructions included in the Registration Guide each semester.

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Withdrawal

After the second week of classes, students may withdraw from a course only due to serious and compelling reasons (documented physical, medical, emotional condition) by submitting a Request for Withdrawal form with all of the required signatures to the registration center in Langsdorf Hall (LH-114). Check the Registration Guide for the deadline for withdrawal.

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Unauthorized Withdrawal

When a student has not withdrawn from a class in a manner described in the Registration Guide, University Catalog, or UPS 300.016, and when there is no clear indication of the student's academic performance in the class, the instructor may assign the administrative grade of WU - Unauthorized Withdrawal. This grade has the same effect on the student's GPA as a grade of F. Any WU grades assigned during a student's first semester of enrollment at CSUF will be automatically converted to a W. For additional information on the assignment of a WU, please refer to information under the 'Grading' section of this manual. You can also consult the University Catalog, the Registration Guide and UPS 300.018.

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University Extended Education/Registration through Open University

Many courses listed in the Registration Guide are available on a space-available basis to students who wish to take classes at CSUF through Open University, a program which is administered through CSUF University Extended Education. Matriculated students may not enroll through this program. Instructors should check with their department office prior to the start of the semester for the department's Open University enrollment procedures.

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