Grading

Academic Non-Grade Appeal Process for Students

Undergraduate and Graduate students have the right to appeal for cause any decision affecting their progress toward their degrees.

Students dissatisfied with academic programmatic decisions have 30 working days following the disclosure of those decisions within which to file a complaint. Undergraduate students need to file their complaints with the relevant Program Chair. Graduate students need to file their complaints with their Graduate Program Director.
If the matter remains unresolved after meeting with the Program Chair/Graduate Program Director, students should then proceed to the next level of Program Chair for graduate student complaints or on to the appropriate Dean if the matter remains unresolved.
If there is still no resolution after a meeting with the Dean, the student may file an appeal with the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) within 7 working days of that meeting.
The VPAA will review all documents deemed necessary and schedule a meeting with all parties in a timely fashion, typically within 30 working days of the receipt of the written appeal. The student may attend the meeting and present her/his case directly if she/he chooses to do so. No legal counsel for any party will attend the meeting.
The VPAA will then communicate his/her decision, along with its rationale, in writing to the student in a timely manner, typically within 30 working days of the meeting. If the student's appeal is denied, there will be no further avenue of appeal available to the student. All documentation of the appeal process will be kept in file in the office of the VPAA.
In any case where a decision or action by the VPAA is the subject of the appeal, the Vice President for Student Life will substitute for the VPAA in the appeal process described above.

Academic Review Board: Grievances and Grade Appeals

The Academic Review Board (ARB) provides undergraduate and graduate students with a means of resolving serious academic disputes that cannot be settled directly with the faculty involved, or by the Program Chairperson, or the appropriate academic Dean. Grade appeals will not be heard by the ARB unless they are based on misapplication or arbitrary application of the professor's grading policy or unusual circumstances.

The ARB has established the following arbitration process to settle disputes fairly and to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

To prepare for a grade appeal, students are encouraged to review the Student Request for Grade Appeal form and the Student Grade Appeal Flowchart for guiding the appeal process.

Before a grade appeal is referred to the ARB, students must first inform the professor about the disputed grade, and submit a Student Request for Grade Appeal form to the professor, with a copy of this form to the Program Chairperson in your School within 14 calendar days of the grade being posted by the Registrar.
The student must then set up a meeting with the professor within the first week of the beginning of the next semester.
If the meeting with the professor does not resolve the dispute, the professor will initiate the Grade Appeal Tracking Report and forward it to the next level within 24 hours. If the appeal remains unresolved, the designated representative of the University at each subsequent level will forward the report to the next level.

Graduate students in Theology, Psychology and Education, will arrange a meeting with the Director of the Graduate Program and provide her/him with the relevant documents and the Student Request for Grade Appeal form. If there is no resolution, the Director of the Graduate Program will notify the Program Chair within 24 hours.
Students in academic programs other than Theology, Psychology and Education will arrange a meeting with the Program Chair and provide her/him with the relevant documents.
The Program Chair will arrange and meet with the parties involved within three (3) calendar days of receiving notification of the grade appeal. If there is no resolution, the Program Chair will notify the School within 24 hours, providing her/him with the relevant documents.
The Academic Dean will arrange a meeting and meet with the parties within seven (7) calendar days of receiving the relevant documents to attempt to reach a satisfactory resolution.
If the matter remains unresolved after the Academic Dean’s intervention, the Academic Dean will inform the Chairperson of the Academic Life Committee within seven (7) calendar days and provide her/him with the relevant documents.
The Chairperson of the Academic Life Committee will notify both parties (faculty and student) in writing that the grievance has been received.
The Academic Life Committee Chairperson will initiate the mechanism for the selection of the Academic Life Committee members who will serve on the ARB. This five-member board will consist of three faculty members and two student representatives, who will be selected by the two parties involved in the grievance, with each party selecting one faculty member and one student member. The third faculty member will be a member of the Academic Life Committee designated by the Academic Life Committee Chairperson and will serve as the Chairperson of ARB. If either party fails to select members for the ARB, the Chairperson of the ARB will select the members.

During the summer, faculty and students will be on call to serve on the ARB. Preference will be given to Academic Life Committee members, but if necessary, non-Academic Life Committee members will be asked to serve during the summer. This list will be drafted during the spring semester by the Chairperson of the Academic Life Committee.
The Chairperson of the Academic Life Committee will consult with those involved to determine the hearing date(s). Members of the ARB will meet prior to the hearing to establish procedures for the review and to select a chairperson and determine a timetable for the completion of the Board's work.
The ARB will then convene a hearing with both parties. Board members must keep the proceedings and all other matters related to the hearing in the strictest confidence. Counsel for the parties or the University will not attend the hearing.
The ARB will listen to the statements of the parties involved in the grievance, ask questions, review appropriate materials, deliberate, and recommend in writing a resolution to the grievance. This recommendation must be determined within 30 calendar days of when the Academic Life Committee Chairperson was informed of the grievance.
The Chairperson of the ARB will sign the proposed resolution and forward to the Vice President of Academic Affairs within seven (7) calendar days. She/he will accept or reject the recommendation and notify the parties of the decision in writing. Only the Vice President for Academic Affairs may change grades. A record of the hearing will be maintained in strict confidentiality in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs

Academic Review Board: Grievances and Grade Appeals

Undergraduate Attendance Policy

Student attendance is defined as not only being physically present but being fully engaged with the material covered in each class.

Faculty will record student attendance for all classes; however, the calculation of the 20% threshold referenced in this policy begins after the Add/Drop period. Attendance is a requirement for class participation and students are marked “absent” unless they secure an “excused absence” clearance, preferably prior to being absent, where possible.

Students must complete an Excused Absence Request Form, which is submitted to the Retention Coordinator with supporting documentation. The Retention Coordinator will determine what constitutes a valid excuse for a post-Add/Drop absence – usually a medical excuse or emergency, supported by appropriate documentation as decided by the Retention Coordinator, or a documented athletic competition.

As needed, the Retention Coordinator will consult with, and/or refer requests for excused absences to the Coordinator of Accessibility Services, or the Fastrak Coordinator. In accordance with University policy, students who secure an excused absence through this process are responsible for making up any course work that they miss; the course instructor(s), in consultation with the Retention Coordinator, will determine what, if any, reasonable accommodations may apply.

All Faculty are required to track and record attendance in both Moodle and Self-Service for all students in their courses, including excused absences.
Attendance, as a requirement for class participation, will count for at least 20 percent of the final grade. Instructors may include other course work such as quizzes, in-class assessments, and homework completion, etc., in that 20 percent. Depending on the delivery format of the 15-week, regular course, each unexcused absence would result in a loss of at least 1/2, 1/4, or 1/6 of the maximum grade for class participation; please see Table I below. In hybrid courses this policy will apply to in-person meetings, as well as logging into, and active participation in the online component. A grade of 0 for class participation, which is worth a minimum of 20 percent of the final grade, will make it highly unlikely that the student will be able to pass the course based on grades on just the other assessments. A student would need an average grade of 80 percent or more on those other assessments.
If at any point a student has unexcused absences for 10 percent or more of the class meetings available-to date in a course, (e.g., 1 absence out of 10 class meetings to-date, or 2 out of 20, etc.), a Care Report will be issued explaining that absenteeism is putting the student in potential jeopardy of failing the course unless it is addressed.
If by Week 10, or any time between Week 10 and Week 14, a student has accumulated the number of unexcused absences that will result in a grade of 0 for class participation, and grades earned to date in other assessments, including grades of 0 for missing assessments, and the weight of remaining assessments, it is mathematically impossible for the student to pass, that student will immediately be issued a final grade of WF for the course. The student will not be permitted to attend any remaining classes, to submit any missing work, or complete any remaining work. If the student is in residence, and the student’s remaining active courses amount to a credit-load of less than 12 credits, the student will also be barred from the residence halls.

Consequences of Unexcused Absences

Course Delivery Format: 15-week, 1 Class Meeting/Week or Hybrid courses, 1 In-person Class/Week
Number of Unexcused Absences that Would Result in a Grade of 0 for Class Participation: 2
Number of Unexcused Absences Requiring Special Care Report for Immediate Attention and Intervention: 1
Course Delivery Format: 15-week, 2 Class Meetings/Week or Hybrid courses, 2 In-person Classes/Week
Number of Unexcused Absences that Would Result in a Grade of 0 for Class Participation: 4
Number of Unexcused Absences Requiring Special Care Report for Immediate Attention and Intervention: 2, then 3
Course Delivery Format: 15-week, 3 Class Meetings/Week
Number of Unexcused Absences that Would Result in a Grade of 0 for Class Participation: 6
Number of Unexcused Absences Requiring Special Care Report for Immediate Attention and Intervention: 3, then 4, and then 5
Course Delivery Format: 7-week, 1 Class Meeting/Week
Number of Unexcused Absences that Would Result in a Grade of 0 for Class Participation: 2
Number of Unexcused Absences Requiring Special Care Report for Immediate Attention and Intervention: 1

Final Assessment of Learning

Undergraduate:

A final exam or other assessment of learning is included at the end of each semester in each course for which credit is given.
The final exam schedule for traditional undergraduate students is arranged by the Registrar's Office.
If a student has a conflict in her/his exam schedule, she/he should contact the Director of Student Services who will work with the faculty involved to resolve the issue.
Exams cannot be given in advance so that student may leave the University before the close of the semester.
Students may not miss a final exam without prior approval from the Dean of the School which houses the affected course. If an emergency arises that prevents the student from taking the final exam, the Dean's office should be contacted as soon as possible. The student must then take the final exam within one month after the close of the semester.
In the event of snow, exams will be given on the scheduled snow dates.

Graduate:

If circumstances prevent a student from taking the final examination in a course or from participating in another form of final assessment, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor prior to the scheduled assessment. If a final exam is not given, it is expected that the class will meet during the exam week.

Grade Changes

Once a final course grade has been submitted to the Registrar, a faculty member can change it only in the event of a clerical, calculation, evaluative, or administrative error with respect to work completed during the academic term in which the student was enrolled in the course. Grade changes should occur no later than four weeks after the start of the following semester. The Change of Grade Form requires the signatures of the Instructor, the Program Chair, and the appropriate Dean.

Except when a grade of "I" or "DE" is awarded in accordance with the policies governing those grades, student grades may not be changed for work submitted after the conclusion of the academic term in which it was assigned.

A final grade may be changed to "I" only with the signatures of the Program Chairperson and the appropriate Dean.

Students may appeal their grades only on the basis of work completed and submitted during the academic term in which it was assigned.

Student inquiries regarding grades must be made as soon as possible after the grade is received. Grade appeals must be made within 30 days of the end of the semester. For more information on grade appeals, see Academic Review Board procedures.

Grading Policies

Undergraduate:

Academic standing and eligibility for graduation are dependent upon both quality and quantity of work. The grade point average is a numerical index of the ratio of the number of quality points earned to the number of credits received.
A minimum grade of "C" is required for all courses in the major, for academic skills courses, for successful completion of, SEU110, SEU120, and for courses listed as a prerequisites for other courses.
A minimum grade of "D" is acceptable for courses meeting other general education requirements and any related requirements for a major.
no replacement policy.

Graduate:

Academic standing and eligibility for graduation are dependent upon both quality and quantity of work. The grade point average is a numerical index of the ratio of the number of quality points earned to the number of credits received.
A graduate student is expected to achieve grades of A or B to remain in satisfactory academic standing.
Three C+/C grades or one grade of "F" in course work will be grounds for dismissal.
The student is responsible for reporting to the Registrar's Office any error on their academic record within 30 days after the grades have been posted via Self-Service. The University will not be liable for unreported errors on student records.
no replacement policy.

Grading Scale

Undergraduate:

GRADE QUALITY POINTS

A 4.00

A- 3.67

B+ 3.33

B 3.00

B- 2.67

C+ 2.33

C 2.00

C- 1.67

D 1.00

F 0.00

FI - Failure due to Incomplete 0.00

I - Incomplete 0.00

P – Pass * 0.00

DE – Deferred * 0.00

W - Withdrawn 0.00

AU - Audit 0.00

PE – Permanent Excuse * 0.00

TE – Temporary Excuse * 0.00

NC – No Credit?* 0.00

* Pass, grade of 3.0 or higher — used only in the Dietetic Internship Program and for the Portfolio.
* Deferred — The "DE" (Deferred) grade is used only for courses requiring a project that might extend into a second consecutive term. The "DE" is a temporary grade that implies satisfactory performance. It may appear no more than two consecutive academic terms on the student's transcript. The "DE" grade will be removed when the instructor submits final grade. A final grade is awarded only after the student has completed all course requirements. A "DE" grade on a student's academic record will automatically prevent the student from graduating.
* Permanent excuse due to illness or injury
(Fitness Courses only)
* Temporary excuse due to illness or injury
(Fitness Courses only)
* NC: No Credit – Given in lieu of a grade of F during the first semester only to first-time, non-transfer students matriculated in the traditional undergraduate college.

Graduate:

* Pass, grade of 3.0 or higher. Used only in the Dietetic Internship Program and for the Portfolio.
** Deferred — The "DE" (Deferred) grade is used only for courses requiring a project that might extend into a second consecutive term (e.g., 691 Practicum, 695 Professional Portfolio, 699 Culminating Project). The "DE" is a temporary grade that implies satisfactory performance.
It may appear no more than two consecutive academic terms on the student's transcript. The "DE" grade will be removed when the instructor submits final grade. A final grade is awarded only after the student has completed all course requirements. A "DE" grade on a student's academic record will automatically prevent the student from graduating.

Incomplete Grades

Undergraduate:

The grade of "I" may be granted only if a student petitions the instructor(s) for that grade prior to the end of the academic term in which she/he is enrolled in the affected course. A grade of "Incomplete" may be given if the student's already-completed work is of passing grade quality but remaining coursework is unfinished because of illness or other serious cause, and only if the faculty member and the student agree. An "Incomplete" in any course becomes a failure and is recorded as a grade of "FI" (Failure Resulting from an Incomplete) if course requirements are not completed within four weeks following the end of a semester (fall, spring, or summer) or two weeks following the end of an accelerated session or winter intersession. For first-time freshmen, an incomplete grade becomes an NC during their first semester at SEU if the work for the course is not completed in the appropriate time frame.

The Request for Incomplete Grade Form must be submitted to the appropriate Program Chair prior to the end of the incomplete period. Incomplete Extension Forms showing the signatures of the Student, the Instructor, and the Program Chair are submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduate:

The grade of "I" may be granted only if a student petitions the instructor for that grade prior to the end of the academic term in which she/he is enrolled in the affected course. A grade of "Incomplete" may be given if the student's already completed work is of passing grade quality but remaining coursework is unfinished because of illness or other serious cause, and only if the faculty member and the student agree. An "Incomplete" in any course becomes a failure and is recorded as a grade of "FI" (Failure Resulting from an Incomplete) if course requirements are not completed within four weeks following the end of a semester (fall, spring, or summer) or two weeks following the end of an accelerated session or winter intersession.

Requests for extensions must be submitted to the instructor of the course and the Director of the Graduate Program prior to the end of the incomplete period. Requests for an Incomplete Extension form can be obtained in the Registrar's Office. The student is responsible for making satisfactory arrangements with the instructor for the completion of the course requirements. The student earning an incomplete grade is expected to complete the course requirements as soon as possible.

Under no circumstances will any student carrying more than one Incomplete grade be permitted to begin additional course work

Mid-Term Advisory Grades for Undergraduates

First-time, full-time students matriculated in the traditional undergraduate program and students on probation are given advisory grades at the mid-point of the fall semester as a way to monitor their performance in their courses. These are not considered official grades and do not become a part of student transcripts.

Pass/Fail for Undergraduates

Full-time students with senior or junior standing may take one course each semester on a pass/fail basis. Sophomores may take one course a year as pass/fail.

Matriculated part-time students with sophomore standing (31-63 credits) may take one course as pass/fail throughout the duration of their sophomore standing. Part-time students with junior standing (64-95 credits) may take two courses as pass/fail throughout the duration of their junior standing, with no more than one pass/fail course per semester. Part-time students with senior standing (96 or more credits) may take two courses as pass/fail throughout the duration of their senior standing, with no more than one pass/fail course per semester.

To register for a course on a pass/fail basis, students must have no grade below "C" in the preceding year (the last two major semesters excluding summer sessions). Courses used to fulfill general education requirements, courses being taken to fulfill minor requirements, and courses required for the major may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Students may register for one course on a pass/fail grade basis in the Registrar's Office on the dates specified in the academic calendar. Once a student has designated a course pass/fail, she/he cannot change that decision. The instructor will not be notified of a student's choosing the pass/fail option. The instructor will assign a letter grade, which will then be translated to a pass/fail grade by the Registrar's Office.