Semester Grades (A-54)
Original Implementation: January 25, 2000
Last Revision: January 25, 2011
Faculty members may use a variety of factors including assignments, oral and written quizzes, examinations, class attendance, and other course activities to determine course grades as listed in their course syllabi.
Recorded Grades
A grade of A indicates excellent performance; B, above average performance; C, average performance; D, below average performance; F, failure; QF, quit failure; WH, incomplete or grade withheld; WF, withdrew failing; WP, withdrew passing. Marks of R*, T*, and AU appearing on a transcript indicate remedial grades, transfer grades, and audit grades, respectively, that are not entered into calculation of the GPA. WP and WF are assigned only when a student has withdrawn from the university after mid-semester or with special approval of the student's academic dean. Some courses are graded on a pass (P)/fail (F) system with no other grades awarded.
Withheld Grades
At the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic chair/director, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one calendar year from the end of the semester in which they receive a WH, or the grade automatically becomes an F. If students register for the same course in future semesters, the WH will automatically become an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of computing the grade point average.
Grade Point Average
Only grades earned at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) will be used for calculating GPA. A grade of A gives the student four grade points per semester hour; B, three grade points; C, two grade points; D, one grade point; and F, QF, W, WH, WF, and WP, no grade points. The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the sum of the grade points earned at SFA by the total number of hours attempted at SFA, subject to the following exceptions: grades of W, WH, P, and WP are not counted. In addition, repeating a course may affect the grade point calculation.
Repeat Grades
Students who make an F in a course can get credit only by repeating the course. Undergraduate students who desire to repeat courses in order to improve their GPA at SFA must repeat those courses at SFA. For any course that is repeated once at SFA, the higher of the two grades will be used to determine the GPA. If a course is repeated more than once at SFA, all grades earned for that course will be averaged and used to determine the GPA. Credit hours for courses taken at other institutions to replace credit hours earned at SFA may be used to meet graduation credit hour requirements, but not for GPA calculation.
Once a grade has been posted it can only be changed by submitting a WH and Grade Change Form with the appropriate approval signatures. Grades should only be changed in cases of error or, in the case of WH, when the course requirements have been completed.
Cross Reference: General and Graduate Bulletins; Class Attendance and Excused Absence (A-10)
Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Contact for Revision: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Forms: WH and Grade Change Form
Board Committee Assignment: Academic and Student Affairs