Grade Information

Course Evaluation and Grade Point Average

Final evaluations are required for all courses each semester.

The evaluation system emphasizes achievement of the objectives of a course recognizing degree of accomplishment. Grade point average is based on a four-point system and is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned in courses completed by the total number of resident credit hours attempted. The GPA is calculated only on work taken at Newman University.

The following four-point grading system and grade descriptions are operative at the university:

A = 4.0 Extraordinary Achievement

The student:

• Gives consistent evidence of initiative, originality, intellectual curiosity, and critical interpretation;
• Manifests a wide acquaintance beyond the text with literature relevant to the subject;
• Demonstrates scholarly achievement measured by papers, examinations, and intelligent participation in class; and
• Comprehends and integrates principles of the course.

B = 3.0 Good Achievement

The student:

• Performs with consistent effort and unusually high interest in the course;
• Shows an understanding beyond that required for the course;
• Communicates with better than average literary style; and
• Contributes critical and interpretive insights.

C = 2.0 Average Achievement

The student:

• Participates in the work of the class;
• Demonstrates familiarity with lecture material, completes and comprehends assignments;
• Uses proper style, form, logical structure, and evidence of research in verbal and written communication; and
• Demonstrates intelligent inquiries.

D = 1.0 Marginal Achievement

The student:

• Participates in the work of the class;
• Demonstrates marginal comprehension of course material in the completion of all assignments;
• Is able to communicate with marginal style, form and logical structure; and
• Makes genuine and serious efforts to achieve course objectives.

P = 0.0 Passing

Credit earned with satisfactory achievement in courses so designated. Counted toward total hours for degree but excluded in the GPA calculation.

F = Failure

No credit earned, computed in GPA

WD = Official withdrawal

IN = Incomplete

A grade of “Incomplete” may be given only under extenuating circumstances, when failure to complete a course is due to no fault of the student. Extenuating circumstances may include current illness, serious personal problems, an accident, a recent death in the immediate family, a large and necessary increase in working hours, or other situations of equal gravity. The “IN” should not be based solely on a student’s failure to complete work or as a means of raising his or her grade by doing additional work after the course has ended. The student and instructor shall agree to a plan of study and a timeline to complete the course requirements. The course work must be completed no later than the end of the next regular semester. After this time, the “IN” automatically becomes an “F” (unless a grade change form is submitted to the registrar by the instructor) and is included in the computation of the GPA. In case the instructor is not able to evaluate the student work, the dean of the school or his/her designee shall be empowered to evaluate the student work and assign a final grade. At the time of graduation, any remaining “IN” grades automatically change to an “F” and are included in the computation of the GPA.

“D” Grade in Major Courses

A grade of “D” is not acceptable for upper division courses which are required for a student’s major, minor, area of concentration or associate degree. Some majors require a minimum of a “C” grade in all coursework. Please refer to program specific requirements in the later section of the catalog.

Grade Change Deadline

All grade changes, except for incompletes, must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office no later than midterm of the semester following the semester in which the course was taken.

Midterm Grade Reports

Midterm grades and final grades are available to students through Newman’s website at www.newmanu.edu

Repeating of Courses

Students may repeat any course they have taken previously. Only the result of the final course attempt will be used in the cumulative grade point average, but all grades remain on the academic transcript.

Transcripts

Newman University offers current and previous students the option of online transcript ordering through the National Student Clearinghouse. This is available from Newman’s home page by clicking on Current Students/Registrar/ Transcripts. Newman’s charge for a transcript is $8 but additional fees may be charged by the Clearinghouse. Electronic transcript service is also available to students if the request is made through the Clearinghouse. Students will receive a “personal copy” transcript without charge at the time of graduation.

In accordance with public law 93-380 (11-1974), Newman University adheres to the policy of releasing a student’s record to a third party only upon the student’s written request or under the condition stipulated in Sec. 438 (2) (b) (1), except that appropriate student records will be maintained as necessary for normal operation by the student’s academic advisor(s) and other appropriate Newman personnel.

No official transcript or letter of honorable dismissal will be released by the Registrar’s Office until all accounts are paid in full.

Grade Appeal Policy/Process

This chart is for quick reference purposes only.
Please refer to the expanded policy for detailed directions.

Summer sessions are not considered regular semesters for the appeals process.

The Student Grade Appeal Process applies to all academic programs at the undergraduate level.

Only a final grade in a course may be appealed. Objections to grades on specific assignments may only be made in the context of a course grade appeal.

In any grade appeal procedure, the student making the appeal has the burden of proof in establishing a good cause for changing a final grade. Unless the student can offer convincing arguments to the contrary, good faith on the instructor’s part is presumed. When supported by sufficient evidence, any of the following reasons shall constitute “good cause” for challenging a final grade.

1. The instructor assigned a grade based on an error in calculation or reporting.
2. The instructor assigned a grade based on discrimination against a student’s age, sex, race, creed, color, national origin, ethnic origin, or disability.
3. The instructor did not apply standards consistently to all students in the class.
4. The instructor did not follow university policy or his or her own published guidelines in assigning a grade.

None of the following shall constitute “good cause” for appealing a final grade: Disagreement with the course requirements established by the professor.

Disagreement with the grading standards established by the professor.

Disagreement with the instructor’s judgment when applying grading standards, assuming that the instructor has made a reasonable effort to be fair and consistent in exercising that judgment. The student’s desire for or need of a particular grade.

Consequences that a student might face as the result of a grade.