Grades
Grading System
The grading system at the University of Guelph-Humber is as follows:
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A+ | 90-100 |
| A | 85-89 |
| A- | 80-84 |
| B+ | 77-79 |
| B | 73-76 |
| B- | 70-72 |
| C+ | 67-69 |
| C | 63-66 |
| C- | 60-62 |
| D+ | 57-59 |
| D | 53-56 |
| D- | 50-52 |
| F | 0-49 |
In addition, selected University of Guelph-Humber courses will use this alternate grading system.
Alternate Grading System
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| OP | Outstanding (Pass) |
| P | Pass |
| F | Fail |
Other Grade Notations
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| AUD | Audit |
| CRD | Credit |
| CR/NCR | Credit/No Credit |
| DEF | Deferred Assessment |
| INC | Incomplete |
| INP | In Progress |
| MNR | Mark Not Received |
| WF | Withdrawn with Failure |
| XXF | Supplemental Assessment Failed (XX denotes the original failing grade) |
| XXP | Supplemental Assessment Passed (XX denotes the original failing grade) |
Grading Procedures
Feedback to students on work completed or in progress is an integral part of teaching and learning in that it allows students to measure their understanding of material and their progress on learning objectives. Feedback often goes beyond grading-an indication of the standard achieved-to include comments on the particular strengths and weaknesses of a student's performance. While the nature and frequency of such feedback will vary with the course, the University of Guelph-Humber is committed to providing students with appropriate and timely feedback on their work. Instructors must provide meaningful and constructive feedback, at minimum 20% of the final course grade, prior to the 40th class day. For courses which are of shorter duration, 20% of the final grade must be provided two-thirds of the way through the course. This may include but is not exclusive to returning papers, assignments, in-class or laboratory quizzes, laboratory reports, or mid-term examinations prior to the 40th class day. In research and independent study courses, instructors may provide students with a realistic idea of their performance through assessment of a research plan, literature review, annotated bibliography, oral presentation, or other portions of the final product. Any exceptions to the grading procedure resolutions which are not specifically outlined in the resolutions themselves require the approval of the Chair of the Department.
Resolution 1
That the assignment of grades at the University of Guelph-Humber will be based on clearly defined standards, which are to be published in the Undergraduate Calendar for the benefit of faculty and students and that the definitions for each of the numerical grade range (letter grades) be as follows:
- 80 - 100 (A) Excellent. An outstanding performance in which the student demonstrates a superior grasp of the subject matter, and an ability to go beyond the given material in a critical and constructive manner. The student demonstrates a high degree of creative and/or logical thinking, a superior ability to organize, to analyze, and to integrate ideas, and a thorough familiarity with the appropriate literature and techniques.
- 70 - 79 (B) Good. A more than adequate performance in which the student demonstrates a thorough grasp of the subject matter, and an ability to organize and examine the material in a critical and constructive manner. The student demonstrates a good understanding of the relevant issues and a familiarity with the appropriate literature and techniques.
- 60 - 69 (C) Acceptable. An adequate performance in which the student demonstrates a generally adequate grasp of the subject matter and a moderate ability to examine the material in a critical and constructive manner. The student displays an adequate understanding of the relevant issues, and a general familiarity with the appropriate literature and techniques.
- 50 - 59 (D) Minimally Acceptable. A barely adequate performance in which the student demonstrates a familiarity with the subject matter, but whose attempts to examine the material in a critical and constructive manner are only partially successful. The student displays some understanding of the relevant issues, and some familiarity with the appropriate literature and techniques.
- 0 - 49 (F) Fail. An inadequate performance.
Resolution 2
That faculty must use evaluation criteria which measure quality of performance and not merely activity. Unannounced evaluations or surprise assessments may not be used for course assessment purposes or to determine course grades.
Resolution 3
That faculty are not to use predetermined, arbitrary distributions in the assignment of grades in individual courses.
Resolution 4
The deletion of Resolution 4 was approved by Senate on June 5, 2023.
Resolution 5
That the methods and/or timing of evaluation as indicated on the course outline should not be changed after the first class meeting except when they meet the conditions outlined in the course outline regulation (see VII. Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures: Course Outlines).
Resolution 6
That all term tests, assignments, laboratory reports, etc., should be returned to, or discussed with students, without undue delay and in any case before the last day of the examination period. If the material is necessary for the preparation of the final examination, it must be returned or discussed as soon as possible and in any case no later than three days before the examination.
Resolution 7
That Program Heads must coordinate multiple section courses in terms of course content, evaluation procedures and final grades.
Resolution 8
That program must keep under continual review its grading procedures and matters that relate to academic standards to make sure the University's policies are being applied.
Resolution 9
The Board of Undergraduate Studies has by formal resolution undertaken to do as follows:
- to specify clearly the administrative responsibility of Program Heads with respect to the methods of evaluation, the setting of examinations and the determining of grades in courses in their program.
- to review the effects of the pass by course system on the academic standards of the University.
- to request each program to review its overall academic standards and, in particular, its requirements for graduation.
- to examine whether the prerequisites at the secondary school level required for admission to the University of Guelph-Humber are adequate.
- from time to time, to review and monitor the academic standards across the University to ensure that there is consistency and that the regulations of the University are being adhered to.
Resolution 10
In determining grades for written assignments the faculty should take into consideration the student's ability to use correctly and effectively the language appropriate to the assignment.
Resolution 11
Prior to one-week before the commencement of classes, the Program Head will review the course outline indicating the manner in which the instructor intends to conduct a course and to determine final grades. If the Program Head disagrees with the instructor's intention or subsequently with the implementation of the stated intentions, the Program Head will discuss their concerns with the instructor. If agreement cannot be reached, the matter will be referred to the Vice-Provost, who will advise the Program Head of the Vice-Provost's decision. The advice may include a recommendation on examination procedures.
Submission of Final Grades
General Information
Registrarial Services, distributes the "Grades Due Report" forms to faculty one week prior to the examinations period for the semester. The "Grades Due Report" specifies the deadline date for submission of grades to Registrarial Services.
Faculty's Responsibilities
The faculty is to retain all final examination papers and term assessments not returned to students for a period of one semester. The "Grades Due Report" form distributed by Registrarial Services, will carry the due date for grades for each course section. The due dates are established in accordance with the regulations of University of Guelph-Humber Senate.
Grades must be submitted to Registrarial Services by the deadline stated on the "Grades Due Report". The early submission of grades will assist in their processing. Grades that are not received prior to the release of student grades are reported as "MNR" (mark not received).
Class lists are updated regularly on the Class List Web-site for download through the Faculty Support Officer. Lists downloaded from the Class List Web-site list all officially registered students in a class. The program must explain any changes to the list, e.g., in the case of:
- A student whose name is not on the list, but who has been attending class.
- A student whose name appears on the list, but for whom the faculty has no record.
Faculty must not grant an extension of time to any student beyond the final date for submission of grades for that course. Faculty must report students who do not satisfy course requirements by assigning a grade of "INC" and noting incomplete work on an "Instructor Recommendation Form."
Instructor Recommendation Form
Faculty should only submit grades for students who have completed their final work for a course. If a student does not complete a final examination or final assignment, the faculty must enter "INC" (incomplete) on the "Grade Report" form and complete an "Instructor Recommendation Form" for the student. The "Instructor Recommendation Form" is available from the Academic Advisor. Faculty members must submit the "Instructor Recommendation Form" along with the "Grade Report" form to the Office of Registrarial Services. The Academic Review Sub-Committee will contact the faculty and/or Program Heads at the time of meetings if this procedure is not followed. The faculty's recommendations assist the members of the Academic Review Sub-Committee in making their decision. The faculty must complete all sections of the form for each student reported.
Student's Responsibilities
Students must have all final assignments completed and submitted to faculty by the deadline dates indicated in the course outline. Faculty members cannot grant extensions beyond the deadline for submission of grades. Students who are unable to satisfy the submission deadlines established by the faculty and who wish special consideration for medical, psychological or compassionate reasons should request academic consideration (refer to Academic Consideration, Appeals and Petitions).
Program Head's Responsibilities
The Program Head receives final grade submissions from faculty teaching within their designated program. The Program Head signs student grades in the approval area on the "Grade Report" form. The Program Head’s signature indicates that they believe the grades submitted for that course adhere to the Senate's established academic regulations.
If the Program Head has reason to believe that the academic regulations have not been adhered to, the Program Head will consult with the faculty member in question to seek clarification and resolution to any error or omission. Should a satisfactory resolution not be obtained in discussion with the faculty member responsible for the course in question, the Program Head will refer the matter to the Vice-Provost. The Vice-Provost will act to ensure that the academic regulations of Senate are adhered to. The Program Head should be available for consultation with the Vice-Provost on such matters.
Program Heads, at their discretion, are strongly encouraged to conduct periodic reviews of the methods of assessment, class averages, distribution of grades and failure rates in courses offered by that program to ensure that grade abuse does not occur.
Academic Advisor's Responsibilities
The Academic advisor reviews the list of "INC" (incomplete) courses, matching medical documentation, requests for academic consideration, and counselling files (refer to Deferred Assessments). The Academic Advisor in conjunction with the Academic Review Sub-Committee assigns deferred assessments where appropriate and forwards decisions to Registrarial Services.
Campus Registrar's Responsibilities
Registrarial Services ensures examination results are recorded; notifies the student of their grades via WebAdvisor; and records deferred assessment decisions (refer to Deferred Assessments).
Release of Final Grades
Grades are official on the day that they are issued to students. It is the responsibility of Registrarial Services to release the grades to the student and to record the grades on the student's official University of Guelph-Humber transcript.
All grades are available through WebAdvisor. Students who require an official copy of their grade report can request an official transcript.
Grades for students who have been advised by Student Financial Services, that they are on academic sanction will not be released until notification/authorization is received indicating that the account has been cleared to the satisfaction of Student Financial Services. To receive grades, students must clear their sanction by the last day of classes.
Students who are required to withdraw will be notified at their mailing address.
Summer Session grades are released approximately two weeks after the conclusion of examinations. The grades and the continuation of study status are considered to be unofficial until the end of the Summer Semester.