Grades

Grades are due 48 hours after the last exam or meeting time and are awarded according to the following scale:

A: indicates original or independent thinking, a command of the interrelationships within the subject, the ability to apply the principles learned, a mastery of the subject matter and clarity of expression. Grade points per credit: A = 4.0, A- = 3.7.

B: indicates a mastery of the subject matter, an understanding of the fundamentals and their interrelationships, the ability to apply that knowledge and to express it clearly. Grade points per credit: B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7.

C: indicates an acceptable knowledge of the course content, an understanding of the fundamental principles and a reasonable ability to apply them. Grade points per credit: C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7.

D: indicates minimal knowledge and understanding of the course content, with a limited ability to apply the principles learned. Grade points per credit: D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D- = 0.7.

F: indicates that the work was not satisfactorily completed. Grade points per credit: F = 0.0.

P: Pass. Indicates that the work was satisfactorily completed.

N: Not-Pass. Indicates that the work was not satisfactorily completed.

Physical education (PHED) courses are graded on a Passed (P), Not Passed (N) basis and do not count toward the 120 academic credits required for a degree.

Additional grades:

X: indicates non-attendance in a course. The student must show to the satisfaction of the Committee on Academic Standards that they never attended the course or stopped attending the course and failed to withdraw with proper administrative processing. “X” does not count in the total credits attempted and does not factor in to the grade point average.

W: indicates that the student withdrew from the course by the end of the ninth week of the term for a Fall or Spring term course or by the end of the third week for a January Term course. Each instructor must provide every student with an evaluation of progress in the course so that the student may evaluate his or her status prior to the deadline for withdrawal. Withdrawals after the deadline are not permitted unless approved by the Committee on Academic Standards. “W” does not count in the total of credits attempted and does not factor in to the grade point average.

PND: used when no grade has been submitted by the instructor. The grade is pending. PND grades are used sparingly and only when extenuating circumstances prevent the instructor from issuing a final grade. A letter grade must be submitted by the instructor within one week of being issued or the PND grade will convert to an F.

AU: indicates a student has audited a course.

In addition to the grades and quality points referred to above, a faculty member may write a commentary concerning the student’s work in a class. Such statements must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar in writing; only then will they be incorporated as part of the transcript. Grades receiving comment are indicated with a ‘*’ on the transcript.

Incomplete Grades

At the discretion of the instructor, an interim grade of incomplete may be assigned for a course in which the student has met the following criteria:

1. Been unable to complete course requirements before the end of the term because of illness or serious circumstances beyond the student's control in the final third of the semester
2. Completed a major portion of the course with a passing grade

The following procedures apply:

1. The request must be made to the instructor by, or on behalf of, the student before the last day of final exam week.
2. If an incomplete is granted, the faculty member will outline the remaining coursework and the timeline for completion, which cannot be later than the end of the fourth week after the last day of final exams, so that ideally all incompletes are resolved prior to the start of the new semester.
3. When the required work is complete, the earned grade will permanently replace the "I" grade on the transcript. If the work is not completed within the established time frame, a grade of "I/F" will appear on the student's record
4. The student is responsible for making sure that the faculty member receives all required coursework according to the established timeline

Degrees are not awarded to students with Incomplete grades. If a student withdraws from Hartwick an incomplete grade automatically converts to “I/F”.

Grade Appeal

A student should have protection against prejudicial and capricious grading. The following policy is established for reviewing complaints about end-of-term grades: the student shall first consult the professor and Department Chair; if no agreement is reached, the student may then bring the case to the Committee on Academic Standards. The Committee shall serve as a review board and, if a change seems justified, the Committee shall be empowered to recommend a change of grade to the professor.