This memo is a friendly reminder that as the start of the fall 2004 semester draws closer and you prepare instructional materials, please be sure to include a detailed explanation of your grading scheme in the syllabus for each course being taught. The inclusion of a grading scheme in course syllabi was approved by the University Senate and is now University policy. This means the grading scheme must include the numeric or percentage value of each assignment. Additionally, last spring, the University Senate, in order to establish a consistent, university-wide grading system, approved the use of only the plus/minus grading scheme for all undergraduate courses using calculable grades.
I highly recommend taking time at the beginning of each course to review the grading schemes with students so they will know how their work will be evaluated. Experience in the Provost?s Office has shown that faculty who provide clear explanations of their grading schemes have fewer student complaints about grades.
Please contact Bill Reuling, Assistant to the Provost, ext. 4-4632 if you have any questions about grades or grading. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I wish you a rewarding and successful fall semester.
