36 Academic Policies
should speak with their professors to make arrangements to reschedule one of the exams. If arrangements cannot be made with individual faculty members, the student should consult with the Dean of Studies. Absence from Final Examinations: Students are required to appear for scheduled final examinations. Absence from a final examination produces an automatic grade of “Failure” on the exam. In cases of a student’s absence caused by verified personal misfortune, the Dean of Studies may allow a grade of “Incomplete,” and the student must arrange with the instructor to take a makeup examination not later than two weeks after the last day of the examination period of the term in which the “Incomplete” was given. Incomplete Course Work: Students must submit all course work not later than the closing hour of the last scheduled final examination period of each term, unless the instructor has set an earlier deadline. Graduating seniors cannot be issued a grade of “Incomplete.” A grade of “Incomplete” may be assigned only for extraordinary circumstances beyond the student’s control. The instructor must complete the blue incomplete card provided by the Registrar’s Office and obtain the student’s signature. The blue incomplete card must be submitted to the Registrar with the final grade roster. When an “Incomplete” is granted, the course work must be completed no later than two weeks after the last day of the examination period of the term in which the “Incomplete” was given. Course work not completed within the allotted period of time will be assigned a failing grade unless the Dean of Studies, in consultation with the instructor, grants an extension of the incomplete. Repeating Courses: Students who repeat a course that they previously failed will have both grades listed on their transcripts. All credits attempted and total quality points earned will be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average. Students who repeat a course that they have previously passed (grade of “D” or better) will have both grades listed on their transcripts, but neither the quality points nor the credit associated with the second grade will be factored into their cumulative grade point average. The one exception to this policy is when the course is a required prerequisite that the department has stipulated must be completed with a minimum grade of either a “C” or “C-.” If a student retakes a prerequisite course that they have previously passed with a grade of “D,” both grades will be equally factored into their GPA but they will only receive credit for taking the course once. Making up Credits: There are many options for students to get caught up if they are behind in credits. Students behind in credits can take a fourth course at Union (subject to the fourth course fee), take a summer course at Union, take a pre-approved summer course at another College (a maximum of three course credits can be earned at schools other than Union after matriculation), take an internship for a full course credit (with tuition), go on a mini-term, or earn a music, dance, ceramics or theater practicum credit by taking three terms of the same practicum with a passing grade (there is a fee associated with each term). Withdrawal from College: Withdrawal from the College at any time is considered official only upon written notice to the Dean of Students. The withdrawal date is considered the date on which written notification is received. Notification to another office or person, failure to preschedule or confirm registration, nonpayment of the term bill, or a request for a transcript are not considered notice of withdrawal. A student who wishes to withdraw permanently or take a voluntary leave of absence should notify the Dean of Students as far in advance as possible to avoid or reduce financial penalties. Suspension: Students cannot transfer credits to Union for courses taken at other institutions while under suspension from Union College. This applies to both academic and social suspension. Readmission: All applications for readmission or return from absence must be made in writing
Academic Policies 37
to the Dean of Students, normally at least one month before registration for the term. Readmission becomes official only if or when the admission and security deposit is on hand or has again been paid.
Academic Standing Academic Ratings: Instructors submit grades at the end of each term. A report of a student’s term grades is available to the student at www.webadvising.union.edu. A grade report will be mailed to the parent or guardian if the student requests one in writing. No other grade notices will be mailed to the student’s home address. The grades of scholarship and their associated quality points are A (4.0), A- (3.7), B+ (3.3), B (3.0), B- (2.7), C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C- (1.7), D (1.0), P (pass), and F (failure). A course in which a student receives the grade of “F” does not count toward graduation. If the course is required to complete a sequence in the major or otherwise required for graduation, a student must repeat this course and obtain a satisfactory mark. Some courses do not carry graduation credit and a few earn double credit. Pass/Fail Grading: In order to encourage students to explore the curriculum, students may take up to four electives to be recorded as “pass” or “fail.” (1) No course registered as “pass/fail” may be used in fulfilling a requirement for the major, for a minor, for the Common Curriculum (General Education) or Writing Across the Curriculum, or for a term abroad. (2) The “pass/fail” option is not open to students in their first two terms. (3) A student may take no more than one “pass/fail” course per academic year (defined as the fall, winter, and spring) in the first three years. (4) A student may take up to two “pass/fail” courses in the senior year (defined as the fall, winter, and spring), and may register for no more than one “pass/fail” course per academic term. (5) A student may register for no more than one of the four “pass/fail” courses in any academic department and no more than two of the four “pass/fail” courses in any academic division (Refer to “Divisions” under Courses of Instruction). (6) Independent study courses may not be taken Pass/Fail A grade of “pass” will be equivalent to the lowest passing grade or better. A grade of “pass” will not be calculated in the term or cumulative index; a grade of “fail,” however, will count as any other failing grade. A course is registered as “pass/fail” by means of a form provided by the Registrar and the option must be exercised (or revoked) no later than the end of the third week of the term. The instructors (who will be informed of this choice by a particular student only by request) will submit regular letter grades, which will be appropriately converted to “pass” or “fail.” Later reconversion to the letter grade will be done only if required by a student’s official change of major or minor and only upon the specific request of the student. Students who plan to pursue studies in graduate or professional schools should discuss with their advisors the effect of “pass/fail” grades on admission to such programs. Some graduate schools regard a grade of “pass” as a weak grade. Academic Good Standing: Union College regards a student as “in good standing” academically if he or she is permitted to enroll for a subsequent term. To graduate, a student must present a cumulative grade point index of at least 1.80 and an index of at least 2.00 in the major. The Subcouncil on the Academic Standing of Students will review the status of any student whose cumulative grade point index or immediate prior term grade point index falls below 2.00 or of any student for whom other considerations, particularly standing in the major, suggest questions of satisfactory progress toward graduation. If, after such a review, it is felt warranted, the Subcouncil may adopt one of the following actions: Academic Warning: The student may remain in college, but unless the record improves, he