1. Grades - Their Meaning and Value

The bachelor's degree will not be conferred upon any student whose total grade average is less than "C" (2.00). Transfer students must also have a "C" average on work complete on this campus to qualify for the bachelor's degree.

A grade of "D" is the minimum passing grade for credit in a course.

Students who officially withdraw from school prior to the date stated in the current Schedule of Classes will receive a mark of "W".

The grade "F" means failure.

Students who because of circumstances beyond their control are unable to attend classes during finals week or the preceding three weeks will, upon approval of their instructor, receive a mark of "X" (incomplete") in all courses in which they were maintaining passing grades.

When an "X" is given for a grade in a course, the credit hours are not including for one semester (exclusive of summer) in calculating the grade point average. Grades of "X" earned during the spring or summer are to be completed by the end of the following fall semester. If the "X" is not removed by that time, the grade becomes and "F" and the hours are included in the number of hours attempted.

Recording a grade of "X" requires the filing of a plan for completion. The plan will be submitted with the official grade record and sent to the department head who will forward it to the Dean's office. The plan will include why the grade was given and steps necessary for the student to receive the final grade.

A grade of "IP" will be used for courses that are scheduled over more than one semester. The grade of "IP" will not be computed in the grade point average and will be removed when the final grade is filed by the instructor.

A grade of "I" will be given for courses in dissertation and thesis (including undergraduate honors thesis) for all registrations prior to the semester in which the final document is completed. The time limited imposed on the grade of "X" (one semester) does not apply for these courses.

2. Computation of Grade Point Average
All grade point averages will be computed by dividing grade points accumulated by the number of hours attempted, with grades of "X", "I", and "IP" being excluded.

When a course is repeated, only the last enrollment for that course will be used in computing the grade point average. This second grade would be used to determine credit earned for the course. This procedure invalidates the first credit earned in that course. Courses taken before a degree is awarded (regardless of whether the course is applied to the degree) cannot be repeated and the grade point average recalculated once the degree is awarded. (A&M-Commerce Procedure A13.07)

Any student who enrolls in the same course a second time must notify the Registrar's Office during the semester in which the course is being repeated. When the semester is completed, the Registrar's Office will then update the student's grade average to reflect the duplication of the course.

Beginning Fall 2000, all new students who enter A&M-Commerce for the first time will have their cumulative grade point average calculated on courses taken at A&M-Commerce only. Courses taken at other institutions will no longer be considered in the calculation of the A&M-Commerce grade point average.

3. Grade Change
A faculty member may submit a petition to the department head requesting that a grade be changed for a student in a course that the faculty member has taught if the petition is submitted during the twelve-month period immediately following the term when the course was taken and the grade given. A statement of the conditions and reasons for the grade change must be included on the petition.

If approved by the department head, academic dean, and in the case of a graduate grade, the graduate dean, the petition will be forwarded to the Registrar who will review the petition. After approval, the necessary change will be made on the student's permanent record. After the change is made on the student's record, the instructor will be notified by letter from the Registrar, with a copy to the student.

In the event the faculty member awarding the grade is no longer with the University, the department head will make a reasonable effort to contact that person to initiate the grade change. Any grade change petition that does not have the recommendation of the instructor who have the grade should go through channels to the Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs for approval. (A&M-Commerce Procedure A13.08).

4. Student Class Schedule Adjustments
Students are expected to make all necessary adjustments in their class schedules by the fourth class day of a regular semester and the second class day of a summer semester. Eligible students may use WebTRAX (A&M-Commerce's Web Applications for Students) to process drops and adds. Students may add classes until fourth class day during the Fall and Spring semesters and second class day during the Summer terms. Students may drop a class with a full refund (if remaining enrolled) until the twelfth class day during the Fall and Spring semesters and fourth class day during the summer terms.

The student desiring to add a course(s) after the fourth class day of a regular semester or second class day of a summer semester should pick up an Add Sheet at the Registrar's Office. The student should take the Add Sheet to the department(s) to obtain department/instructor approval and then to the appropriate dean for approval. The Add Sheet is then returned to the Registrar's Office. Students will not be allowed to add classes after the twelfth class day during Fall/Spring or the fourth class day during a summer semester. Students not eligible to use WebTRAX may register through academic advising.

A Drop Sheet for courses to be dropped may be obtained at the Registrar's Office. The student must obtain approval from the department/instructor. The Drop Sheet is returned to the Registrar's Office.

No course may be added to student schedules after the last day to change schedules as stated in the University calendar except in very special cases and then only by approval of the instructor and appropriate dean.

A course dropped after census date in a term that is being passed may be dropped with a grade of "DP".

After the first twelve days of class work of any semester or after the first four days of class work of any summer term, the instructor may permit to officially drop a class which the student is not passing. See the University Calendar for specific drop dates. A grade of "DF" will be reported at the end of the semester.

5. Withdrawal
A student leaving the University before the end of a semester or summer term for which they are registered must clear their records by filing an application for voluntary withdrawal on a form which can be picked up in the Office of the Assistant Dean of Students. This action must be taken by the date stated in the University Calendar as the last day to drop a class or withdraw. Any student who withdraws from the University is subject to the conditions outlined in the section regarding Scholastic Probation and Dismissal.(A&M-Commerce Procedure A11.22). A student has one year from the first day of the semester to appeal withdrawal refund.

6. Student's Appeal of Instructor's Evaluation

Whenever a student fails to understand an instructor's evaluation of his or her work or feels unfairly treated in any matter relating to academic studies, as part to due process, the student should first discuss the problem fully with the instructor concerned.

If the student still feels improperly treated, the matter should be discussed with the head of the appropriate department.

Then, if still dissatisfied, the student should consult the dean of the college to which that department reports.

When questions regarding a grade reach the dean's office, the head hears the complaint of the student making sure that the student has consulted with the instructor and the head of the department involved. If the student has not conferred with the instructor and the head of the department, the student is asked to proceed through channels.

If the problem is not resolved by consulting with the instructor and head of the department, the dean then resolves the matter informally or appoints a committee of three tenured faculty members of that college. The student has the option of selecting two additional faculty members to be appointed by the dean to the committee. The student must provide a written statement of the cause of the appeal and provide copies of all pertinent material to which the instructor is expected to respond formally. The committee makes a recommendation to the Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs notifies the student, committee, dean, department head and faculty of the final decision. A&M-Commerce Procedure A13.06.