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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ |
AS/SCP/1258 |
Committee on Educational Policy
Proposed Amendments to the Regulations on Grading at UCSC
To the Academic Senate, Santa Cruz Division:
The Committee on Educational Policy recommends that the resolution introduced at the December 3, 1999 Special Meeting of the Academic Senate be substituted by the resolution stated below, calling for a conventional UC grading system for undergraduate students, to be effective in the fall quarter of 2001. The resolution deliberately does not address Senate regulations concerning narrative evaluations. The matter of narrative evaluations will be addressed at a later date, but no later than the Spring, 2000, Academic Senate meeting.
Background
On November 18, 1999, eighteen Senate members requested a Special Meeting of the UCSC Academic Senate in order to introduce a resolution calling for the replacement of the Narrative Evaluation System for undergraduate courses with a conventional UC grading system. Included in this request was a petition signed by 170 Senators endorsing this resolution. On December 3, 1999, the Special Meeting was convened, and a motion to refer the resolution (as amended) to CEP and the Graduate Council was passed by a narrow margin.
Subsequent to the December 3rd Special Meeting the matter of undergraduate grading policy was debated within CEP, as well as in a series of Senate-sponsored forums. Based upon these discussions, CEP recommends the adoption of legislation calling for a conventional UC grading system, but is silent for the moment on legislation addressing narrative evaluations. This legislation calling for a conventional grading system differs from the motion introduced on December 3, 1999, in some important details, given below:
1. This resolution is silent on the matter of narrative evaluations. The CEP believes that it would be most prudent to separate the two issues, so that the complex matter of narrative evaluations can be subsequently debated, as an entirely independent matter.
2. These proposed amendments address grading policy for students enrolled as undergraduate students, whereas the original proposal addressed grading policy with reference to undergraduate courses. Grading policy is ordinarily determined by whether the students are undergraduate students or graduate students. These proposed amendments only address grading policy for undergraduate students. Grading policy for graduate students is the purview of the Graduate Council.
3. This proposed legislation introduces the modifiers plus (+) and minus (-) for grades A, B, and C only. The Committee agreed that such fine distinctions for work at the level of D were meaningless.
4. In this proposed legislation, students may take courses on a Pass/No Pass basis, but no more than 25% of the UCSC coursework applied toward graduation credit may be taken on a P/NP basis. This is equivalent to the UC San Diego requirement, but stricter than all other UC campuses.
5. For courses taken on a P/NP basis, a passing grade remains at the level of C (not C minus) or better. This ensures that the average quality of work for an ensemble of courses receiving the grade of P is equivalent to a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better, which is the UC-mandated graduation requirement.
6. As a consequence of (5), work below the grade of C (C-, D, F) cannot be applied toward the requirements of the major and cannot satisfy general education requirements. Nevertheless the grade of C (minus) and the grade of D can be applied toward the degree in non-major elective courses. Such work can also be retaken under certain circumstances (see SCR 9.1.8).
7. Transmission of records: Per standard UC practice, the grade of NP would be recorded on the student's transcript. This is in marked contrast to the present policy of not recording NP work.
8. Grade point average: A quarterly and cumulative grade point average will always be computed, even if more than 25% of the work has been taken for P/NP at the time. (This applies to students entering UCSC Fall, 2001, and after.)
Timeline
The proposed amendments to Santa Cruz Division Regulations for mandatory conventional UC grading with pluses and minuses must be reviewed by the University Committees on Educational Policy and Rules and Jurisdiction. The findings of these two committees are then reported to the Assembly of the Academic Senate for final approval. In order to allow sufficient time for review by the Universitywide Committees, and since the Assembly meets once per quarter, CEP proposes that the changes be effective for students entering Fall, 2001.
Summary
CEP believes that the proposed grading legislation offers a significant improvement over the amendments proposed at the Special Senate Meeting of December 3, 1999, and respectfully submits them to the Academic Senate for adoption.
Resolved:
1. That the Santa Cruz Division of the Academic Senate adopt the attached amendments to the Manual of the Academic Senate.
2. The Committee on Rules, Jurisdictions, and Elections is authorized to make technical and editorial changes in these or other Senate regulations in order to bring them into consistency with these amendments.
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Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON EDUCATIONAL POLICY |
February 9, 2000
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE
UCSC GRADING SYSTEM
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1. |
Establish mandatory letter grading for all undergraduate courses except those designated "P/NP only." |
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2. |
Establish plus and minus grading for grades A, B, and C. |
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3. |
Allow repetition of courses with grades C-, D or F. |
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4. |
Display a term and cumulative grade point average (GPA) for UCSC courses on the transcript. |
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5. |
Set a limit of no more than 25% of UCSC credits applied toward graduation may be graded on a Pass/No Pass basis. |
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6. |
With plus and minus grading, retain a grade of C or better for courses used to satisfy General Education and major requirements. |
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7. |
Display the No Pass designation on the transcript. |
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8. |
Allow letter grading for credit by petition courses. |
Chapter 9. Grades, Evaluations, and Transmission of Records
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Current Wording |
Proposed Wording |
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9.1 General A9.1.1 The grade of P (pass) shall be awarded to an undergraduate in a course at the University of California, Santa Cruz if the student's work is of a clear passing standard; (i.e., equivalent to C or better). The grade of I (incomplete) is awarded as specified in SCR 9.1.6. Courses for which the grade of either P or I is inappropriate are removed from the student's record, except when the letter grade option is exercised as specified in SCR A9.1.3 below.
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A.9.1.1 Delete.
(NEW) (NEW) |
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9.1.2 All grades, except I and IP, are final when filed by an instructor in the end-of-term course report. However, the Registrar is authorized to change a final grade upon written request of an instructor, provided that a clerical or procedural error is the reason for the change. Grade changes (except for I and IP) must be submitted to the Registrar within one year from the close of the quarter for which the original grade was submitted. No change of grade may be made on the basis of reexamination, or with the exception of the I and IP grades, the completion of additional work. |
9.1.3 (Renumbered from 9.1.2) |
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A9.1.3 Students may exercise the option of taking any undergraduate course on a letter grade basis, except for courses approved by the Committee on Educational Policy as "P/NP only" at the request of the course-sponsoring agency, and except for courses 42 as described in SCR 6.8, which must be graded "P/NP only". If students select the letter-grade option, they will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F, I or W. A = Excellent The letter grade option must be exercised no later than the last day to add a course and may not be subsequently changed. The grade of I is awarded as specified in SCR A9.1.6. The grade of W denotes the formal withdrawal of the student from the course after the last day to drop a course and prior to the beginning of the last week of instruction. All grades received under this option are included in the student's transcript, including D, F, I, and W. |
A9.1.3. Delete.
(NEW) |
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A9.1.4 The designation of courses as "P/NP only" is made by the Committee on Educational Policy during the spring term to have effect for all of the following academic year, beginning with the following fall term, and will remain in effect until changed by request of the course sponsoring agency with the Committee on Educational Policy approval. During the academic year, agencies may request the "P/NP only" designation for new courses to be offered for winter, spring, or summer terms |
A9.1.4 (renumbered) |
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A9.1.5 Effective summer 1997, all Summer Session courses are graded as in SCR A9.1.1, A9.1.2, A9.1.3, A9.1.4, and A9.1.6. |
9.1.5. Delete. |
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A9.1.6 The grade of I may be assigned only when a student's work is of passing quality but is incomplete. The student must make arrangements in advance with the instructor in charge of the course in order to receive an I. In order to replace the I with a passing grade and to receive credit, a student must petition by the deadline imposed by the Registrar and complete the work of the course by the end of the finals week of the next term, unless the instructor specifies an earlier date. If the instructor fails to submit a passing grade for any reason by the deadline for submitting grades in the next succeeding term after the I was awarded, the student receives an NP or F depending on the grading option selected, and this grade is treated as specified in SCR A9.1.1 and A9.1.3. The deadline imposed herein shall not be extended. [However, see SCR 6.7.) |
9.1.6 The grade of I may be assigned only when a student's work is of passing quality but is incomplete. The student must make arrangements in advance with the instructor in charge of the course in order to receive an I. In order to replace the I with a passing grade and to receive credit, a student must petition by the deadline imposed by the Registrar and complete the work of the course by the end of the finals week of the next term, unless the instructor specifies an earlier date. If the instructor fails to submit a passing grade for any reason by the deadline for submitting grades in the next succeeding term after the I was awarded, the student receives an NP or F depending on the grading option selected, |
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A9.1.7 A grade in a single course extending over two or three terms of an academic year may be given at the end of the course. The grade will then be recorded as applying to each of the terms of the course. A student satisfactorily completing only one or two terms of a course extending over two or three terms of an academic year shall be given grades for those terms. The grading option selected for the first term of a multiple term course applies to each subsequent term. [SCR 10.1.4] |
9.1.7 A grade in a single course extending over two or three terms of an academic year may be |
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A9.1.8 Students who receive a grade of D or F may retake the course, subject to the following guidelines: Courses in which the student has received a letter grade may not be repeated on a P/NP basis. Credits will not be awarded more than once for the same course, but the grade assigned each time will be permanently recorded on the student's transcript. Repetition of a course more than once requires approval of the student's college. (For computation of GPAs involving repeated courses, see SCR A9.4.1.) Courses originally taken on a P/NP basis but not passed may be repeated either on the same basis or for a letter grade. |
9.1.8 Students who receive a grade of C-, D or F may retake the course, subject to the following guidelines: Courses in which the student has received a letter grade may not be repeated on a P/NP basis. Credits |
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A9.1.9 Other regulations of this chapter do not apply to University Extension courses. University Extension courses are graded in accordance with SR 780 (including provisions with regard to grade points and units) and SR 810(A). |
9.1.9 |
9.4 Transmission of Records
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9.4.1 Transcripts and other records will be issued by the Registrar only as requested by the student concerned. The documents to be sent out automatically on such a request shall include items 'A' through 'E' unless the student specifically requests that 'B, C, D' not be sent out. A. A record of all courses and grades, including a brief explanation of the grading and evaluation system and as full a subtitle as can be shown for each course taken at University of California, Santa Cruz. The explanation must state that for courses graded P/NP, only work satisfactorily completed (graded Pass) is recorded on the transcript. B. In chronological order, all course evaluations, excepting only evaluations judged by the designated Academic Senate member in each college in consultation with the instructor or, in the absence of the instructor, with the provost of the instructor's college, to be irresponsible or to be observations unrelated to course performance, such judgment to be communicated to the Registrar. [DLR 1998.2A] C. An overall assessment of the student's academic career at the University of California, Santa Cruz, prepared by the student's college; at the discretion of the college this assessment may be waived. D. An evaluation of the student's comprehensive examination and/or senior thesis, written by the department or committee sponsoring the student's major program. (EC 1 Aug 76, 12 May 97) |
9.4.1 Transcripts and other records A. A record of all courses and grades, including a brief explanation of the grading and evaluation system and as full a subtitle as can be shown for each course taken at University of California, Santa Cruz. The explanation must state that for courses graded P/NP prior to Fall, 2001, only work satisfactorily completed (graded Pass) is recorded on the transcript. B. No change.
C. No change.
D. No change.
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E. For undergraduates entering the University of California, Santa Cruz, Fall 1997 or later who have received a letter grade for 2/3 or more of the credits attempted at the University of California, Santa Cruz, prior to the issue date of the transcript, a Grade Point Average, computed only from the courses taken for a letter grade. Grade points per credit are assigned according to the scale A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. The grades W and I are disregarded in the GPA computation--credits are not counted and grade points are not assigned. If a student has taken courses more than once due to receipt of a D or F, for the first 15 credits of repeated work, only the last grade recorded shall be computed in the student's GPA. If the 15 credit limit is exceeded, the GPA will be based on all additional letter grades assigned and credits attempted. (En 29 May 96, effective 1 Sept 97; CC 31 Aug 98) |
E. For undergraduates entering the University of California, Santa Cruz, between Fall 1997 and Spring, 2001 (NEW) |
10.1 Number of Courses Required
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A10.1.1 Passing 180 credit hours and prior certification of satisfaction of: (a) the major requirements by the agency supervising the major program, (b) the college requirements by the appropriate college, and (c) the University of California and General Education requirements by the Registrar are required for graduation. Certain major programs or areas of study may require the completion of more than 180 credit hours.
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A10.1.1 Passing 180 credit hours and prior certification of satisfaction of: (a) the major requirements by the agency supervising the major program, (b) the college requirements by the appropriate college, and (c) the University of California and General Education requirements by the Registrar are required for graduation. Certain major programs or areas of study may require the completion of more than 180 credit hours. For undergraduates entering the University of California, Santa Cruz, Fall 2001 or later, no more than 25% of the UCSC credits applied toward graduation may be graded on a Pass/No Pass basis. This includes any credits completed in the Education Abroad Program or on another University of California campus in an intercampus exchange program. |
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10.1.2 A grade point average of 2.0 or greater in all classes attempted for a letter grade, excluding those for which the student is assigned the grade W. If a student has taken courses more than once due to receipt of a D or F, for the first 15 credits of repeated work, only the last grade recorded shall be computed in the student's GPA. If the 15 credit limit is exceeded, the GPA will be based on all additional letter grades assigned and credits attempted. |
10.1.2 A grade point average of 2.0 or greater in all classes attempted for a letter grade, excluding those for which the student is assigned the grade W. If a student has taken courses more than once due to receipt of a C-, D or F, for the first 15 credits of repeated work, only the last grade recorded shall be computed in the student's GPA. If the 15 credit limit is exceeded, the GPA will be based on all additional letter grades assigned and credits attempted. |
10.2.2 General Education Requirements
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10.2.2.1 Students who enter the University of California, Santa Cruz, as candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Science either: (1) in fall quarter 1986 or thereafter, or (2) between fall quarter 1984 and spring quarter 1986 with fewer than 45 quarter units of transfer credit, are required to fulfill the following campus general education requirements. The courses used to satisfy these requirements must be chosen from the lists of approved courses (SCR 10.2.2.6). Only course work awarded the grade of P, A, B, or C may be used to satisfy these requirements. |
10.2.2.1 Students who enter the University of California, Santa Cruz, as candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, |
10.4.7 Passing Work in Major.
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Students must complete all requirements for the major with grade P, A, B, or C. |
Students must complete all requirements for the major with grade P, |
6.7 Course Credit by Petition
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Subject to the limitations herein stated, courses for which credit is earned by petition are equivalent to courses passed in the regular manner in respect to fulfillment of all requirements. The letter grade option is not available via credit by petition. |
Subject to the limitations herein stated, courses for which credit is earned by petition are equivalent to courses passed in the regular manner in respect to fulfillment of all requirements. |
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6.7.8 If the student passes the examination or satisfactorily completes the course work by the last day of the current term, the grade of P is reported to the Registrar by the deadline for submitting course reports. A written evaluation must also be submitted by the filing deadline stated in SCR 9.2.2. If the student fails, the notation of No Record is reported to the Registrar by the deadline for submitting course reports, and no entry is made on the transcript and no evaluation is submitted . |
6.7.8 To receive credit by petition, a |