Evaluation of Academic Work

The Elmhurst University grading system offers three options: A-F, Pass/No Pass and Audit. Students must select A-F for courses used to satisfy the Integrated Curriculum requirements and courses used to satisfy the major and minor requirements. A-F grades are used in determining grade-point averages, academic standing and qualifications for honors. Grades will not be changed after they have been posted to the student’s academic transcript except with the permission of the registrar.

Pass/No Pass Grading Preference

A Pass grade (P) indicates a student has successfully completed the work in a course. A grade of No Pass (NP) is recorded if the work in the course is not completed at a passing level. No academic credit is awarded for No Pass courses. Pass/No Pass grades are not calculated in the grade-point average.

Students may elect to take no more than a total of one unit of credit (4 semester hours) per term on a Pass/No Pass basis. No more than six units of Elmhurst University credit (24 semester hours) graded on a Pass/No Pass basis may be counted toward the minimum number of courses required for graduation. Integrated Curriculum, major/minor courses and mathematics courses required for the Bachelor of Science degree cannot be taken Pass/No Pass unless that is the only grading option. Students should confer with their advisor before choosing the Pass/No Pass option to fully understand all academic ramifications.

Audit Grading Preference

Students may choose to Audit courses in which they are enrolled and have met the prerequisites. Under this option the student’s obligation is to attend the course. Tests and other forms of evaluation are optional. No credit is earned toward graduation, but an entry of Audit is included on the permanent record. Standard fees are charged for courses taken with Audit grading. It is recommended that students confer with their advisor before choosing the Audit option to fully understand all academic ramifications.

Changing Grading Preference

To request a change in grading preference after the first week of the Fall and Spring terms, students must submit an Add, Drop of Grade Change Preference request found on the Elmhurst University portal. Students may request a change in grading preference up to the end of the 10th week of classes in Fall Term and Spring Term. Students should consult the Registration and Records calendar on the Elmhurst University website for exact dates for each term.

Regular Grading Scale     Grade

Disputed Final Course Grades

The normal presumption in the administration of grades at Elmhurst University is that the instructor alone is qualified to evaluate the academic work of students in their courses and to assign grades to that work. For this reason, questions regarding an instructor’s assessment of the quality of academic work are not normally subject to review. However, when a student believes that a grade was assigned in a manner that was arbitrary or inappropriate in the Elmhurst University academic setting, or that crucial evidence was not considered, the student shall follow the procedures outlined below.

A grade dispute must be brought in writing to the instructor, by the end of the fifth week following the term in which the disputed grade was given. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the process even if this must be done initially in writing rather than in person.

Establishing a Claim for a Disputed Grade Grievance and Organization of the Hearing Board:

• When a final course grade is disputed, the student and the instructor should meet to discuss the matter and seek an appropriate resolution. If the disputed grade is not resolved, the student may forward the matter to the chair of the department of the instructor and/or the program director. If the attempt to settle the issue fails at this level, it moves to the Office of Academic Affairs.

• The student should submit a document indicating the student’s position and the rationale for the claim. The student must also provide whatever documentation is needed to support the claim. The instructor may do the same. The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) or their delegate meets with both the instructor and the student and confers with the chair of the department or the program director. If after this investigation and review the VPAA or their delegate finds merit in the appeal, they may initiate next level of action on the dispute, otherwise they will inform the student that the disputed grade will remain as reported.

• The next level of action is the convening of a Hearing Board, which will consist of the Vice President for Academic Affairs or their delegate, who shall chair the board; the Vice President for Student Affairs or their delegate; two faculty members; and two students selected in consultation with the chair of the Academic Standings Committee. The parties directly involved may have one silent advisor present. The Chair shall designate a secretary or invite an administrative assistant who is responsible for recording the salient issues and the actions of the Hearing Board.

• The parties involved will be asked to submit written arguments to be circulated among members of the Hearing Board. It is expected that the parties in disagreement appear before the Board, but the hearing will proceed despite a failure to appear. When all presentations are complete, the Board, in executive session, shall reach a resolution of the problem.

• If the Hearing Board finds that a grade has been assigned in a manner that was inconsistent with policies stated in the syllabus, or inappropriate in the Elmhurst University academic setting, or that critical evidence was disregarded, the Hearing Board may direct the Registrar to change the grade to one the Board deems appropriate as dictated by the documented and objective evidence provided. The decision shall be represented in writing to the involved parties and others who need to know the results of the hearing. The chair shall maintain a file of relevant material for a period of at least two years.

• The decisions of the Hearing Board shall be final.

Incomplete

• An Incomplete (I) may be given to a student who has satisfactorily completed 75% of the course, but is unable to complete all the course requirements within the regular term due to extraordinary circumstances. Students who wish to receive an Incomplete must obtain the consent of the instructor before the date on which final grades are to be submitted. The instructor should then submit a Request for Incomplete Grade form found on the Elmhurst University portal.

• An Incomplete granted for any term becomes a failing grade (F) or a No Pass grade (NP) if the work is not completed by the end of the subsequent term. The last day of the term can be found on the Registration and Records Calendar.

  • Incompletes awarded at the end of Fall and January term must be resolved by the end of Spring term.

  • Incompletes awarded at the end of Spring and Summer term must be resolved by the end of Fall term.

• If your instructor specifies an earlier deadline, you must abide by that deadline

• You will not re-enroll or attend any other section of the course.

• You must work independently on all required assignments and exams, with instructor input as appropriate when possible.

• Your instructor will assess your work in a timely manner after your work is submitted.

• Incompletes must be resolved prior to graduation. If there is an incomplete grade on your record at the end of your final term, your degree will not be posted.

When a final grade is submitted it will read on the student’s transcript as I/grade received. While an “I/grade received” will not affect the configuration of a student’s GPA, it will remain permanently on their transcript to indicate additional time given to complete the class.

To submit a final grade, instructors should fill out the Incomplete Grade Resolution request found on the Elmhurst University portal.

Repetition of Courses

Students may repeat a course in which they received a grade of C-, D+, D, F, P or NP no more than two times. Students may not repeat any course in which they receive a grade of C or better. In all cases, individual department policies concerning repetition of courses in the major take precedence. When a course is repeated for credit, the earlier grade remains on the student’s permanent record and will appear on all transcripts. Only the last enrollment and grade will be used in computing the grade-point average and awarding of credit.

All repeats must be taken at Elmhurst University, whether the course was originally attempted for credit at Elmhurst University or at another institution. The only exception to this is if the course originally taken elsewhere has no equivalent course at Elmhurst University. Please note: The written permission of the VPAA or their delegate must be obtained prior to registration at any   other institution. A repeat may not be by independent study.