A3: Grading

I. Policy Statement  

Grades shall be assigned for all OCC courses in accordance with the standards set forth in this policy.

II. Reason for Policy  

This policy is designed to promote fairness in grading by ensuring that grading practices are adequately disclosed and by setting forth the basis on which students’ academic standing is to be determined.

III. Applicability of the Policy  

All students, faculty and Registration and Records office personnel should be familiar with this policy.

IV. Related Documents  

• Onondaga Community College Policy A4 Grade Dispute Procedures 
• Onondaga Community College Policy A2 Registration and Program Changes 

V. Contacts    

VI. Definitions  

Definitions and standards for certain grading terminology are set forth below.

VII. Procedures  

Instructor Grading Policy  

At the beginning of a course, the instructor informs the students of the criteria to be used in determining the final grade. Numerical or letter grades may be used during a course, but the final grade must be submitted in letter form. The instructor determines the appropriate final grade.

Grading System

A quality-point system will be used to determine academic standing:

For Nursing Courses only:

Non-Credit Equivalent courses (except for mathematics) will be graded as follows:

• S = Satisfactory
• U = Unsatisfactory

Mathematics Courses:

• All grades SA-SB indicate 80% or higher competency.

PTA Clinical Courses are taken Pass/Fail only, with grades of “CR” or “NC” assigned. Passed courses with a grade of “CR” are not calculated in the GPA. Failed courses with a grade of “NC” are computed in both the term and cumulative GPA. 

The grades of SA, SA-, SB+, SB, S, U, UF, CR, AU, W, X, I and IP do not carry quality points. 

Honors GPA

• Cum Laude: 3.4 - 3.59
• Magna Cum Laude: 3.6 - 3.79
• Summa Cum Laude: 3.8 - 4.0

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average is calculated by dividing the sum of the earned quality points by the sum of the attempted credit hours except as modified elsewhere. Transfer credit is not computed in the index.

Repeated Courses  

All grades and credits are recorded on the student’s transcript. If a course is repeated, only the highest grade is computed in the student’s GPA and used for graduation requirements. If the last grade is a “W” “UF” or “X” it will not replace a previous quality point grade. Only courses repeated at Onondaga will affect a student’s GPA.

If a course is repeated at Onondaga, for a course in which transfer credit was previously awarded, the transfer credit will be removed from the student’s academic record.

The following conditions apply to the NUR, SGC, and PTA programs:

• A student is allowed to repeat a course with a program prefix only once.
• Students who fail to receive a “C” or “M” for a repeated course lose matriculation status in that program.
• PTA students may repeat BIO 171 & BIO 172 only once.

Incomplete  

In consultation with the student, the instructor may assign a grade of Incomplete (“I”). An Incomplete is assigned only when a student has completed most of the coursework. The instructor notifies the students that a grade of Incomplete will be assigned. The reason for the Incomplete and the plan for its removal will be specified through completion of the Incomplete Grade form to be maintained in the department. A student may not remove an Incomplete through unofficial participation in the major portion of any subsequent offering of the same course. Participation in the same course with another instructor is not valid for removal of an incomplete. Course requirements must be completed before the end of the next regular semester (fall or spring) or the “I” becomes an “F”. An instructor may extend this deadline for one additional regular semester through written notification to the Registration and Records Office.

Class Standing  

A class standing grade may be requested by a student in the event of serious illness or other extenuating circumstance which prevents completion of the course. The class standing grade can be awarded only after the instructor certifies completion of 75% of the required course content, and upon approval of the Department Chairperson. No class standing grade may be higher than a “C”, with a lower grade being recorded if the student has not earned a “C”. The student’s permanent record will indicate that the grade represents class standing.  

Grade Changes  

After a grade is recorded by the Registration and Records Office, a faculty member may request that the grade be changed. This request must be submitted to the Registration and Records Office on an official Grade Change Form by the end of the following semester. Grade changes for reasons other than computational or clerical error are subject to the approval of the Scholastic Standards Committee. Records of grade changes and the reason for the grade change must be kept in the department and Registration and Records. Grades may not be changed after a student has graduated.

Exceptions  

In unusual or extenuating circumstances, the Scholastic Standards Committee will consider exceptions to the requirements of this policy. Petitions to waive the academic rules are available at Student Central.

VIII. Forms/Online Processes 

• Incomplete/Extension of Incomplete Grade Form
• Grade Change Form

Approved by OCC Board of Trustees April 3, 2006

Updated and approved by the President January 25, 2010

Updated and approved by the President June 26, 2023

Responsibility for Maintenance: Registration and Records  

Date of most recent changes: June 26, 2023