Grades
Tentative grades are reported at midterm to assist students in gauging their effort for the remainder of the term.
At the completion of each course the student is given a grade: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or P for passing work; I for incomplete work; and F for failure.
Incomplete Grades
The grade “incomplete” is given only at the end of a term in which the student, for justifiable reasons in the opinion of the professor, is unable to complete the course. If an incomplete course is not completed within four weeks of the next resident semester after the grade was given, or if an incomplete course is not completed within one semester by a student not in residence, the grade will be that which the professor submitted based on the assumption that the student received failing grades or zero points for all uncompleted work. Exceptions to this rule will be made only when there exist reasons clearly beyond the control of the student, and the student, with the professor’s approval, has petitioned the office of the Dean for an extension of time. The Dean may grant an extension of time or a replacement of the incomplete with a W (Withdrawn). Incompletes must be finished within four weeks of the beginning of the next semester. No final action will be taken until the four-week period has elapsed.
Pass-Fail Option for Undergraduate Programs
Twelve elective credits may be taken on a pass-fail basis. Courses taken on a pass-fail basis cannot be courses that contribute to major, minor, or general education requirements. No more than one class may be taken on this basis during any given term. No more than twelve semester credits of pass-fail work may be counted toward the satisfaction of graduation requirements (student teaching and internships are the exception). Students taking a course on a pass-fail basis must attend all classes, take all examinations and possess all prerequisites required of students enrolling on a letter grade basis. Performance of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- caliber will be awarded a grade of “Pass,” which does not affect the grade point average. Grades of F are included in the computation of the grade point average. Students may elect (or reverse) the pass-fail option until two weeks after mid-term for semester-long courses, and until the fifth week of an eight-week course.
Grading of Experiential Education and Internships
All experiential education and internship credits will be graded Pass/Fail. If participation is not a requirement for a major or minor, it will contribute to the twelve-credit maximum for Pass/Fail. If participation is a requirement of a major or minor, it will be exempt from the twelve-credit limit (for example, student teaching.)
Grade Point Average (GPA)
The University of Jamestown grade point average (GPA) is used to determine academic standing. The GPA is computed by dividing total grade points earned by the total number of semester credits attempted in which the student received a grade of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or F. (Exception: If a course is repeated, only the higher grade is included in the GPA calculation; however, the lower grade remains on the transcript as well.) Grade points awarded per semester credit are the following:
A+ = 4.00
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+ = 1.33
D = 1.00
D- = 0.67
F = 0.00
Grades of P (Pass), W (Withdrawal), and I (Incomplete) do not affect the grade point average.
Two grade point averages are maintained for transfer students: The University of Jamestown GPA and a cumulative GPA that includes transfer credit. The cumulative GPA is also used in determining eligibility for scholarships and for all academic honors (other criteria beyond GPA may exist in some cases.) Grade points are rounded to the nearest one-thousandth.
Appealing Grades and Other Academic Matters Not Pertaining to Academic Integrity Issues
A student may appeal the final grade she or he received in a course. Grounds for an appeal are limited to capriciousness, errors of fact, or evidence of bias on the instructor's part, and it is the student's responsibility to provide evidence that an appeal is warranted. The belief that an instructor graded in too difficult a manner, assigned too much work for a given course, and the like, are not grounds for a grade appeal.
Grades on individual assignments, tests, or other measures of student learning are not appealable except to the extent that they affect the final grade a student receives in a course.
Students wishing to appeal final course grades should follow this timeline and process:
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Discuss the concern with the instructor involved no later than two calendar weeks after the end of the course term. (Calendar weeks- University breaks such as spring break and Christmas break still count towards the time.) If the student remains unsatisfied or if the instructor is separated from the University, the student should:
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Utilize the Grade Appeal form to submit an appeal to the department or school chairperson in writing within five working days of discussing the grievance with the instructor. (The department chairperson, where relevant, may request that the program director take over the appeal and inform the student who the departmental leadership representative will be. The relevant academic dean will receive the initial form submission and forward it to the appropriate academic unit lead.)
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Appeal to the Dean of Academic Affairs in writing within one calendar week of notification of the department representatives' decision.
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It is the responsibility of the Dean of Academic Affairs to collect evidence from the student, the instructor if the instructor is not separated from the university, and the department chair and/or program director before making a decision.
In cases where no evidence of capriciousness, errors in fact, or bias exist, the original grade will remain. In cases where evidence of capriciousness, errors in fact, or bias does exist as determined by the relevant academic administrator, the course grade will administratively be changed to a more appropriate grade, and the instructor of the course and student will be notified of the grade change within one calendar week.
Honors
The Dean’s List of Outstanding Scholars
The dean’s list of outstanding scholars includes all full-time undergraduate students who at the end of any given semester earn a grade point average of 3.50 or better with a minimum of twelve semester credits, exclusive of “Pass” credits.
College Fellows
A limited number of outstanding junior and senior students are selected each year by the faculty for the distinction of College Fellow. Recipients are to be of exemplary character and must possess an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or better as well as a grade point average of 3.50 or better in their majors. Fellows may tutor or teach under the direction of their department chair(s).
Distinction in Degrees
Undergraduate scholastic excellence is recognized through Latin honors with diploma designations as follows:
- Summa Cum Laude - 3.90 GPA or higher
- Magna Cum Laude - 3.70 to 3.899 GPA
- Cum Laude - 3.50 to 3.699 GPA
The honors-level grade point average must be maintained on both the University of Jamestown credits attempted and the cumulative grade point average, including all transfer credits.
Honor Societies
Students who qualify may join honor societies that have chapters at the University of Jamestown. Current honor societies are Alpha Chi (academic), Alpha Mu Gamma (foreign language), Beta, Beta, Beta (biology), Lambda Pi Eta (communication), Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership), Phi Lambda Theta (education), Psi Chi (psychology), and Sigma Theta Tau (nursing).