Grades

Grades for Developmental Studies

Developmental course grades are not included in a student’s semester or cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.). The state limits enrollment in any one developmental course to two semesters.

R - Re-enroll Awarded for satisfactory progress for an entire semester in a developmental course (01-09) which requires two or more semesters of individualized studies in preparation for further work in the subject or curriculum being pursued. Students are generally limited to two semesters in any one developmental course.

S - Satisfactory Awarded for satisfactory completion of each developmental course (courses numbered 01-09).

U - Unsatisfactory Awarded for unsatisfactory progress in a developmental course (01-09). Students who receive a grade of “U” should consult with their instructor and a counselor prior to re-enrolling in the same developmental course.

Final Examinations

All students are expected to take their final examinations at the regularly scheduled times. No exceptions will be made without the approval of the instructor of the class.

Grades for College-Level Courses

Letter Grades

A - Excellent Four grade points per credit

B - Good Three grade points per credit

C - Average Two grade points per credit

D - Poor One grade point per credit

F - Failure Zero grade points per credit

W - Withdrawal No grade point credit (a grade of withdrawal implies that the student was making satisfactory progress in the course at the time of the student’s withdrawal).

I - Incomplete No credit; used for verifiable unavoidable reasons. Since the “incomplete” extends enrollment in the course, requirements for satisfactory completion will be established through student/faculty consultation. Courses for which the grade of “I” (incomplete) have been awarded must be completed by the end of the subsequent semester or another grade (A, B, C, D, F) must be awarded by the instructor based upon course work which has been completed. In the case of “I” grades earned at the end of the spring semester, students will have through the end of subsequent fall semester to complete the requirements. In exceptional cases, extensions of time needed to complete course work for “I” grades may be granted beyond the subsequent semester, with the written approval of the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. A “W” grade should be awarded for the “I” grade only under mitigating circumstances which must be approved by the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services and documented in the student’s academic file.

P - Pass No grade point credit; applies only to selected non-developmental studies courses.

X - Audit No grade point credit

Final Grades

Final grades are made available to students at the official end of each semester. If students have reason to believe that an error has been made in calculating or recording any grade, they should bring it to the attention of the instructor for that class pursuant to the guidelines indicated in the Grade Appeal Procedure policy (below). Official transcripts of grades for each semester will not be available for distribution to prospective employers or other colleges for approximately two weeks after the end of the semester.

Grade Appeal Procedure

The faculty of Blue Ridge Community College is unequivocally committed to the principle that evaluation of student work and assignment of grades is a responsibility and a prerogative to be exercised solely by the faculty. Therefore, at no point may an administrator change a grade assigned by an instructor. When a student believes that a final grade has been determined incorrectly, the student must file a written report with the instructor, (with a copy to the instructor’s Dean) identifying specifically the reason(s) for the appeal and including any supporting documentation. This written report must be filed with the instructor as soon as possible and no later than ten calendar days after the first day of class of the next regular (fall/spring) semester. If the matter is not mutually resolved at this level, the student may appeal to the appropriate Dean and subsequently to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services.

At each level of appeal, each response to the appeal and subsequent appeal must be made in writing within ten calendar days. No new matter may be appealed at any higher level which was not identified by the student in the original written appeal to the instructor. If appropriate, at the sole discretion of the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, the Vice President may appoint a faculty committee to review the case. If the Vice President does not appoint a committee, the grade assigned by the faculty member will remain unchanged. The decision of the Vice President as to whether or not to appoint a committee cannot be appealed by either party.

If the Vice President appoints a committee, it will consist of three instructional faculty members, at least one of whom instructs in the same or similar discipline as the faculty member who assigned the grade. The student should be aware that the committee review process may result in the grade being raised, lowered, or unchanged. The committee will meet and report its findings within fifteen calendar days from its appointment by the Vice President. The decision of the committee is final and binding and will be reported to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services with copies to the Division Dean and the Dean of Academic Support Services, who will record the grade. A copy of the finding of the committee will be placed in the student’s file in the Admissions and Records Office.

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA), is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned in courses by the total number of credits attempted. Courses which do not generate grade points are not included in credits attempted.

Semester Grade Point Average

Semester GPA is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned in courses attempted for the semester by the total number of credits attempted.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

Cumulative GPA, which includes all courses attempted, is computed each semester and is maintained on a continuing basis as a record of a student’s academic standing. (See page 24 for Course Repeat Policy).

Curriculum Grade Point Average

A curriculum GPA, which includes only those courses applicable to a student’s curriculum, is computed in order to ensure that a student satisfies the graduation requirements for that curriculum. When a student repeats a course, only the last grade earned is counted in the computation of the curriculum GPA.