Incomplete Grade, Course Withdrawal Policy

Incomplete Grade This is a temporary grade given for work that is lacking in quantity to meet course objectives. It may be assigned when illness, necessary absence, or other reasons generally beyond the control of the student prevent completion of the course requirements by the end of the semester. This grade may not be given as a substitute for a failing grade or withdrawal. Unless changed by the instructor, the I will be changed to an F (NC when appropriate) according to this schedule: fall semester incompletes, end of winter semester; winter and spring/summer incompletes, end of fall semester.

Deferred GradeThe grade of X (deferred) is a temporary grade that may be given only in a course that cannot be completed in one semester. Such courses are usually research projects. A department that wishes to assign the grade of X must receive approval for such courses from the University Curriculum Committee before students enroll. This grade is given only for work that is satisfactory in every respect but for which students need more than one semester to complete. An X grade must be removed within two calendar years from the date of assignment. If not, it will be changed to NC.

Withdrawing from a CourseA student may withdraw from a course and receive a grade of W when the completed Registration and Drop-Add Form is presented to the registrar by the end of the ninth week or dropped through self-service Banner. Students who do not withdraw before the deadline must accept a grade other than W depending on the instructor’s judgment of their performance in the course(s) and any mitigating circumstances. Students who request an exception of the withdrawal deadline due to extenuating circumstances must present their explanation of appeal attached to a Registration and Drop-Add Form signed by their professor and department chair along with at least one statement of support from the professor or department chair to the director of the Student Academic Success Center. Students should continue attending class until notification of a final decision about their appeal is received.

Sample Unit Policy

Psychology issues Incompletes only in limited circumstances. An Incomplete is appropriate when a student has a legitimate excuse for missing an assignment or a test and can return and make it up the next semester. For example, we believe in Germ Theory around here, so if a student is running a fever, we do not want the student coming to the Final Exam and spreading disease. It is that kind of situation for which an Incomplete is appropriate. A student whose military unit is called to active duty in the last two weeks of the semester would similarly be given an Incomplete.Added statement (source Records): a rule of thumb would be no more than 15% of course materials required for completion of course before assigning an Incomplete.

Perhaps more informative would be to describe some of the situations that are NOT appropriate for Incompletes in our department. If a student misses a large chunk of class (not just a test or an assignment) for medical reasons, we support a late drop and also assist the student in petitioning the Academic Review Committee for a tuition waiver, and we do not give an Incomplete. If a student has family or mental health challenges that cause the student to miss a large chunk of class, we do the same.

With surprising frequency, students ask for an Incomplete with the plan of then “sitting in” on the same class the next semester. We turn these requests down, again while providing the student assistance in requesting a late drop if the reason for the student’s missing class is legit.