University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Grading System and Other Regulations

Academic, administrative, and conduct regulations are published in the Code of Policies and Regulations Applying to All Students. Students are responsible for complying with these regulations of the University and those of the colleges and departments from which they take courses. This publication is available to students in the lobby of the Turner Student Services Building, at the Admissions and Records Building, and at the Information Desk in the Illini Union. The Code is also available on the World Wide Web at http://www.uiuc.edu/admin_manual/code.

GRADING SYSTEM

Faculty members are responsible for providing the University with an individual evaluation of the work of each student in their classes. Final course grades are entered on the student's permanent University record at the close of each semester, term, or session. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign uses the following grading system: A = excellent; B = good; C = fair; D = poor (lowest passing grade); F = failure, including courses dropped for academic irregularities; Ab = absent from the final examination without an acceptable excuse (counts as a failure). If a student is absent from a final examination and it is clear that taking the examination could not have resulted in a passing grade for the course, a grade of F may be given instead of Ab. In addition to the above grades, instructors are authorized to assign plus and minus grades.

Computation of Scholastic Averages

For numerical computation of scholastic averages, the following values are designated:

A+ = 4.0; A = 4.0; A- = 3.67; B+ = 3.33; B = 3.0; B- = 2.67; C+ = 2.33; C = 2.0; C- = 1.67; D+ = 1.33; D = 1.0; D- = 0.67; F = 0.0.

Uniform Method for Calculation

A uniform method for calculating undergraduate grade point averages has been established for all undergraduate colleges on the Urbana-Champaign campus. These averages are calculated on the basis of all courses attempted for which grades and credits are assigned and that carry credit in accordance with the Courses catalog. Since courses offered by the religious foundations on or near the Urbana-Champaign campus are not official University courses and are not included in the Courses catalog, the grades earned in such courses will not be included in the calculation of any grade point averages. Grades of S, U, CR, NC, and Pass (see next section on Other Symbols in Use) are reported on official University transcripts but are not included in grade point averages since grade-points are not assigned to these letter grades. This method of calculation is used to determine honors, probation and drop status, financial aid and scholastic awards, and transfer between colleges on this campus.

For the purpose of computing a grade point average for graduation, only the grades received in those courses counting toward the degree, including grades in repeated courses, are included in the average. (See Grade-Point Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree section.)

For the special method used to determine eligibility for transfer into the University, refer to the transfer admission policy in the Admission of Transfer Applicants section.

Other Symbols in Use (not included in the computation of averages) 

    W-Approved withdrawal without credit.
   EX-Temporarily excused. Approved extension of time to complete the final examination
      or other requirements of the course. Applies to both undergraduate and graduate students. 
      Entitles the student to an examination later without fee, or additional time to complete 

      other requirements of the course. (Only the dean of the student's college may authorize 
      such an extension of time in an individual case. A grade of EX that is not removed by the 
      end of the first eight weeks of instruction in the next semester in which the student is 
      enrolled in an undergraduate college on the Urbana-Champaign campus automatically becomes 
      a grade of F. If the student receiving an excused grade does not reenroll on the 
      Urbana-Champaign campus, the excused grade, if not removed, becomes an F after 
      one calendar year.)

   CR-Credit earned. To be used only in courses taken under the credit-no credit grading 
      option. (Instructors report the usual letter grades. Grades of A+ through 
      C- will automatically be converted to CR.)
   NC-No credit earned. To be used only in courses taken under the credit-no credit 
      grading option. (Instructors report the usual letter grades. Grades of D+ through 
      F, and Ab will automatically be converted to NC.)
   IP-Course in progress. 
 Miss-Missing grade. Instructor has failed to submit a grade for the student.
   DF-Grade temporarily deferred. To be used only in those thesis, research, and 
      special problems courses extending over more than one semester that are taken 
      by graduate students as preparation for the thesis and by undergraduate students 
      in satisfaction of the requirements for graduation with honors, and in other 
      approved courses that extend over more than one semester. (Requests for use of 
      the DF grade in courses that extend over more than one semester, and therefore 
      require postponement of the final grade report, must be submitted in writing by 
      the executive officer of the department offering the courses to the dean of the 
      appropriate college for concurrence. A current list of courses that have received 
      such approval is maintained in the Office of Admissions and Records.)
    S-Satisfactory, and
    U-Unsatisfactory. To be used only as final grades in graduate thesis research courses, 
      in graduate and undergraduate courses given for zero credit, and in other courses 
      that have been specifically approved by the head or the chairperson of the 
      department concerned, with concurrence of the appropriate college dean. A current 
      list of courses that have received such approval is maintained in the Office of 
      Admissions and Records.
 Pass-Used for all test-based credit. A minimum grade of C- is required.

Credit-No Credit Grading Option

The credit-no credit grading option is designed to encourage students to explore areas of academic interest that they might otherwise avoid for fear of poor grades. All students considering this option are cautioned that many graduate and professional schools consider applicants whose transcripts bear a significant number of nongrade symbols less favorably than those whose transcripts contain none or very few. Likewise, in computing a preadmission grade point average, some of these schools may convert the NC symbol into a failing grade since they do not know whether the actual grade was a D, F, or Ab.

A full-time undergraduate student not on probation may, with the approval of his or her adviser, take a maximum of two courses each semester under the credit-no credit grading option. Part-time students may take one course each semester under this option. Summer term 1 and 2 students may take one course under the credit-no credit option.

A maximum of 18 semester hours earned under the credit-no credit grading option may be applied toward a baccalaureate degree at the Urbana-Champaign campus of the University. A correspondence course taken on a credit-no credit basis will be included in the 18-semester-hour credit-no credit limit.

Any lower- or upper-division course may be chosen under the credit-no credit option except courses used to satisfy the University's general education requirements, courses designated by name or area by the major department for satisfying the major, and those specifically required by name by the college for graduation. In cases of subsequent change of major, courses previously taken under the credit-no credit option in the new field may qualify for meeting major requirements.

For a course taken in residence, undergraduate students must exercise the credit-no credit option within the first eight weeks of instruction in a semester, during the first four weeks of an eight-week course taught in a fall or spring semester, during the first two weeks of instruction in the four-week summer term, or during the first four weeks of instruction in the eight-week term. Students may elect to return to the regular grade option by filing an amended request within the first eight weeks of instruction in a semester, within the first four weeks of instruction in an eight-week course taught during a semester, during the first two weeks of instruction in the four-week summer term, or within the first four weeks of instruction in the eight-week summer term. The credit-no credit option form must be properly approved and deposited in the college office.

Instructors are not informed of those students in their classes who are taking work under the credit-no credit option, and they report the usual letter grades at the end of the course. These grades are automatically converted to CR or NC. Grades of C- or better are required in order to earn credit. Credit-no credit courses are not counted toward the grade point average but are included as part of the total credit hours. Final grades of CR or NC (for credit or no credit) are recorded on the student's permanent academic record and subsequently will not be changed to letter grades.

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS

Classification of an undergraduate student is made by the Office of Admissions and Records based upon the number of credit hours earned, which includes credit earned by examination or accepted for transfer by the University whether or not such credit is applicable to a student's degree program. Classification for registration, certification, and assessment purposes is based on the following scale.

Freshman standing 0-29.9 hours
Sophomore standing 30-59.9 hours
Junior standing 60-89.9 hours
Senior standing 90 or more hours

TRANSCRIPTS OF ACADEMIC RECORDS

Former and currently enrolled students who have paid their University charges are entitled to receive, upon written request, transcripts of their academic records. Upon graduation or withdrawal from the University, any student with an outstanding loan is not issued a transcript until he or she has completed an exit interview with the Office of Student Accounts and Cashiering. Each transcript includes a student's entire academic record to date and current academic status. Partial transcripts are not issued.

The charge for an official transcript is $5 per copy. The charge for a written certification of enrollment or d degree verification is $4 per copy. The charge for additional copies ordered at the same time and sent to the same address or picked up is $2 per copy.

A student who submits an application for direct transfer admission to the University of Illinois at Chicago or to the University of Illinois at Springfield through the Urbana admissions office will have a transcript included with it at no charge; see the inside back cover for address information.

Telephone requests for transcripts cannot be honored. Transcripts are released only by written request to whomever a student or former student designates. A written request accompanied by a check or money order made payable to the University of Illinois should be sent to the Office of Admissions and Records (see the inside back cover for address information). A credit card number and expiration date (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) may also be submitted for payment.

STUDENT RECORDS POLICY

It is University policy to comply fully with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended. Guidelines and regulations for discharge of the University's obligation under this act are contained in the Code of Policies and Regulations Applying to All Students.

Under these guidelines:

- Certain student records may be released only with the prior consent of the student.

- Certain student records can be released with or without the student's consent.

- Under certain conditions, parents may be granted access to a student's record with or without the student's consent.

- A student has the right to inspect his or her educational record.

- Procedures exist for students to challenge the contents of their educational records.

- The University may release without the student's consent information that appears in student directories and publications that are available to the public, except when a currently enrolled student requests that the University suppress this information.

- A student has the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to comply with the requirements of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Write to: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

A currently enrolled student may elect to suppress either personal information or academic information or both categories of directory information. To be effective for a term, a request form must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records (901 West Illinois Street) by the end of the fifth class day of the term. The University will continue to suppress this information until the student withdraws the request.

For former students, directory information includes the student's name; date of birth; last known addresses and telephone numbers; college, curriculum, and major field of study; dates of attendance and full- or part-time status; class level; honors; certificates or degrees earned at the University and the date(s) conferred; weight and height for athletic team members; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; and institutions previously attended.

FALSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS

Any student who, for purposes of fraud or misrepresentation, falsifies, forges, defaces, alters, or mutilates in any manner any official University document or representation thereof may be subject to discipline. Some examples of official documents are identification cards, receipts, transcripts of credits, library documents, and petitions for change in residence status. Any student who uses computing facilities to interfere with computing systems or who uses another identification to gain access to computing systems may be subject to discipline.

Any applicant who knowingly withholds information or gives false information on an application for admission or readmission may become ineligible for admission to the University or may be subject to discipline.

Any student who knowingly withholds information or gives false information in any document or materials submitted to any member or agent of the University may be subject to discipline.

PLACEMENT DECISIONS

Many programs on the campus include a service or practical training component involving placement in a field training program, internship, or other outreach function. These placements are beneficial to the University and to the students. The decision on a particular student's suitability for placement, however, is a matter of discretion exercised by the administrator of the placing program. The University reserves the right to make such decisions on placement.

Each department/program administrator has authority and discretion to place students in field/training programs as part of academic programs. If a student believes a request for placement has been inappropriately or arbitrarily denied, the student may appeal the decision by the administrator responsible to the dean/director for that academic program. Unless an alternative grievance procedure applies, the dean's decision on placement shall be final.

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Each new student is issued a permanent photo identification card, which must be retained by the student while registered at the University. The ID card remains the property of the University, and any student who alters or intentionally mutilates a University ID, who uses the ID of another, or who allows his or her own ID card to be used by another may be subject to discipline.

A charge of $20 (amount subject to change) is assessed for replacing each lost, mutilated, confiscated, or stolen photo ID card. Questions regarding the issuance of ID cards may be directed to the Campus ID Center, 244-0135.

STUDENTS IN DEBT TO THE UNIVERSITY

Students will be assessed $15 (amount subject to change) for each check they present to the University that is returned for insufficient funds or other reasons. Additional penalties, including dismissal from the University, may be imposed on students who continually permit their University accounts to become delinquent or who issue checks that are returned to the University unpaid.

Students who are in debt to the University at the end of any academic term may not be permitted to register again. They are not entitled to receive diplomas, official statements, or transcripts of credit until the indebtedness has been paid or suitable arrangements for payment have been made, unless there are pending bankruptcy petitions of the students seeking a discharge of all such indebtedness or all such indebtedness has been discharged.

PARKING REGULATIONS

All students, their spouses, and dependent children with valid vehicle operator permits to operate automobiles, motorcycles, motor scooters, and bicycles in Illinois may operate them on the Urbana-Champaign campus, provided they comply with University and state regulations. Public parking facilities are extremely limited near the campus. A permit to park or store a car in University rental lots requires payment of an annual fee. Bus service to the University is provided by the C-U MTD. For route, schedule, and fare information, call MTD at 384-8188. Information about the operation of motor vehicles and bicycles is available from the Division of Campus Parking and Transportation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Public Safety Building, 1110 West Springfield, Room 201, Urbana, IL 61801, (217) 333-3530. For more information, please check the Web site at www.parking.uiuc.edu.

Produced by the Computing and Communications Services Office (CCSO) and the Office of Publications and Marketing for the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The University of Illinois is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. Cover photograph by Don Hamerman.