THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE

 

FACULTY SENATE

 

Senate Document Number    6710S

 

Date of Senate Approval      04/08/10

 

 

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

 

 

APC Document 55:                                                                          Update In-Progress Grade Policy

 

Effective Date:  Fall 2010

 

 

1.   Delete:          On page 37, the entry under In Progress:

 

An instructor may give an In-Progress (IP) grade to a student enrolled in a specially designated research course when the research has not been completed by the end of the semester. Following completion of the research, university procedures for changing grades will be used to replace the IP with a regular grade. Course descriptions indicate if an IP grade may be given for a course. Students cannot graduate with an outstanding IP on their record.

 

      Add:                On page 37, in place of deleted entry:

 

An instructor may give an In-Progress (IP) grade to a student enrolled in a specially designated research course when the research has not been completed by the end of the semester. Course descriptions indicate if an IP grade may be given for a course. If an IP grade is necessary, the instructor must submit a written request for the IP to the Office of the Registrar before the end of the last class day of the term. A default grade must be included with the original request in the event that contact with the student is lost or the student fails to complete the required work.

Once the IP grade is assigned, the student and instructor must maintain periodic contact to ensure progress is being made toward completion of the outstanding work. Every effort should be made by the student to complete In-Progress work within one year of the date the IP grade is originally assigned. If the student is unable to complete the work within one year, he or she must submit a written request for an extension to the instructor. If approved, the instructor will forward the request to the Office of the Registrar. If the request for an extension is not approved by the instructor, or if the student does not request an extension, the instructor must submit a Change of Grade form to the Office of the Registrar assigning a grade for the course.

All work for an IP must be completed within three years. Following completion of the course, the instructor must submit a Change of Grade Form to the Office of the Registrar indicating the final grade. After three years, any outstanding IP grades will have the default grade, as specified on the original request, recorded. Students cannot graduate with an outstanding IP on their record.

 

 

 

Impact:

Minimal effect overall.  This change will allow for better tracking of outstanding IP grades and ensure that regular contact between student and instructor is being made to monitor the progress toward completion of the course. Outstanding work for courses where an IP grade is assigned will now require completion within three years, rather than the current practice of no definitive deadline.

 

Rationale:

The integrity of academic records must be maintained by the Office of the Registrar. In the past, IP grades have remained on the student’s record indefinitely. Therefore, a process needs to be developed whereby outstanding IP grades are periodically reviewed. This proposal ensures that contact between instructor and student is being maintained so the student is aware of remaining requirements. If an extension is granted beyond one year, the written statement or acknowledgment by the faculty member of the continued need for the IP grade will be placed with the initial request. This will also serve as a reminder that the project must be completed, especially if the student intends to graduate from UNC Asheville.