Incomplete Grades/Incomplete Grade Contract
An instructor may submit a grade of “I” if there is outstanding, but limited, coursework to be evaluated before a final grade can be recorded. Normally, a grade of “I” is reserved for students who, (1) as a result of illness or other extenuating circumstances, have been unable to submit particular assignments, (2) have had a previous discussion with the instructor, and (3) have requested the submission of an “I” grade. Students who have missed substantial portions of a course should not presume that their instructor(s) will submit an “I”; they should be advised to consider withdrawing from the course, and to repeat the course if necessary or desired.
Students will have until the mid-semester date of the following term* to complete requirements for any course in which a grade of “I” is given, unless an Incomplete Grade Contract, signed by the student and the instructor, abbreviates this timeframe. Until that time, the student’s GPA will be calculated on the basis of completed courses.**
After the deadline to submit remaining coursework has passed, remaining “I” grades will be recorded as grades of “NF” (i.e., “Not Finished”), which will earn 0.00 quality points per credit hour in the GPA. After this time, an “NF” can only be changed to another (standard) grade with approval from the instructor, a successful appeal to the advising dean of the school that offers the course, and final confirmation from the College’s Policy Exceptions Committee. The student’s petition need not explain the need for the original “I” grade, but should instead focus on the particular circumstances that made completion of the coursework within the allotted timeframe impossible.
An Incomplete Grade Contract is not required for submission of a grade of “I.” However, it can be very useful, and even essential, in providing structure for completion of the course and encouraging students to finish all work before the next semester begins. The contract should be completed and signed by the end of the final exam period of the semester in question. Once the student and professor agree on the terms, the student will schedule a meeting with the Student Success Center to submit the contract and discuss the terms. Both the student and instructor should retain copies.
*The deadline for a summer term incomplete grade will be the mid-semester date of the ensuing fall term. The deadline for the winter courses will be mid-semester date of the ensuing spring term. Exceptions to this deadline may be given in cases of deployment of students who are active-duty personnel in the United States Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserve.
**Dean’s List placement and scholarship considerations may depend upon completion of all courses before that date; these may be adjusted when final grades have been submitted.
