Assignment and Change of Grades

Assignment of Grades

1. The faculty member of record in a course section (i.e., the faculty member officially assigned to teach that section) has the exclusive responsibility and authority to assign grades to all students in that section, subject only to the following exceptions:

A. Should the faculty member of record be unable or unwilling to complete this task because of death, disability, separation of employment, or prolonged absence from campus during a regular academic term, the department chair or program director, following notification of the faculty member of record where appropriate and with the approval of the college dean, may appoint another faculty member with the most appropriate available disciplinary qualifications to complete the assignment of grades; or

B. In the event of a successful grade appeal (see section on Change of Grade, below.)

2. Final course grades shall be based on at least three (3), and preferably four (4) or more, demonstrations of competence by the student.

3. In no case shall the grade on any single demonstration of competence count for more than one-third of the course grade. This provision does not abridge a faculty member's right to assign a course grade of "F" for a single act of cheating.

4. At the start of the course, instructors shall provide to their students in writing the grading policies and practices to be employed in the class and the rules that will apply to withdrawals.

5. Instructors shall keep a record of students’ scores on each of the demonstrations of competence on which the final grade is based.

6. Instructors are expected to provide students with an opportunity for demonstration of competence, relevant to the determination of their final grade in the course, as early as is reasonable and no later than the mid-point of the term.

7. Students have a right to be informed promptly of their scores and to review each of their demonstrations of competence with their instructors.

8. If materials submitted for a demonstration of competence are not returned, these materials will be retained for at least two (2) subsequent semesters by the instructor. The materials shall be accessible to the department office. In the absence of the original instructor, an instructor with appropriate qualifications may be appointed by the chair to review the demonstration of competence with the student.

9. Grades reported to the Office of Enrollment Services are considered to be official and final course grades.
Conditions and Procedures for Change of Grade

1. Changes to grades or grading symbols can be made only on the basis of:
1) an error,
2) a successful grade appeal. (See the separate policy statement on Grade Appeals.), or
3) resolution of an Incomplete (“I”). A final course grade or grading symbol shall not be changed on the basis of additional work submitted, except where an "I" was recorded.

2. Original final course grades are replaced only when
1) the change is due to an error,
2) the grade change is the result of a grade appeal, or
3) Enrollment Services receives a late report of final course grades for which the symbol "RD" was substituted pending receipt.

3. Original final course grades or grading symbols are not replaced when the change of grade is the result of
1) the resolution of an "Incomplete," or
2) the repetition of a course. Final course grades or administrative grading symbols must be recorded for all enrollments beyond the census date.

4. Except for changes of grades resulting from grade appeals, all changes of final course grades must be filed within one year from the date of the filing of the first final course grade, without respect to continuous enrollment of the student. Only as the result of a successful grade appeal or the correction of an error will a final course grade be changed after the award of a degree or credential or certificate.

5. All requests for change of a final course grade shall carry the recommendation of the instructor (except as provided for in the Grade Appeals Procedures), the Department Chair, and the approval of the Dean of the College.  (PS 05-07)

Final Course Grades

Final course grades will be available via "MyCSULB" approximately two-three weeks after the end of each semester or session.

Student Grade Record

A record is kept and grade or administrative symbol notations are indicated for all enrollments beyond the second week of instruction.