Definition of Grades
The following list indicates the number of quality points awarded according to the grade received. These total quality points are averaged to calculate the grade point average:
Grade of A (Excellent) = 4 quality points
Grade of B (Good) = 3 quality points
Grade of C (Satisfactory) = 2 quality points
Grade of D (Minimum Passing) = 1 quality point
Grade of E (Conditional Fail)* = 0 quality points
Grade of F (Failure)** = 0 quality points
The Grades I,R,S,W,Z do not affect GPA calculation and are explained below.
Blank - If a student officially drops a course or courses during the first 6 days of the quarter, but remains registered for at least one course, no course numbers, credit hours, grades or quality points are officially recorded for those dropped courses.
(I) - Incomplete is a temporary grade which is given when an instructor grants that the conditions for a student's inability to complete a course are beyond the control of that individual. The due date for the completion of the course requirements, not to exceed two quarters, is set by the instructor. The student is advised in writing of the date and the conditions under which the work must be completed. If a "Change of Grade" form is not received by the Registrar's Office by the end of the second succeeding quarter, the incomplete grade automatically becomes an "F". The course must then be repeated in order for the student to receive credit. Full tuition is charged for the repeated course.
(F) - "F" - is a failing grade and does not count towards the completion of course requirements, the accumulation of credits or quality points, or residency requirements.
(W) - Withdrawn - A "W" is assigned to indicate withdrawal from a course. Withdrawal forms are available from the records office and must be completed by the student, signed by the instructor and by the Graduate Coordinators in the student's department before the end of the eighth week of class. Withdrawals after the eighth week must be approved by the Director of the Center and must be accompanied by a rationale containing unusual circumstances beyond the control of the student.
A student must officially withdraw from a course he or she does not intend to complete. If no official withdrawal action is recorded and the student's name appears on the grade roster, a grade of "F" is assigned.
Pro-rated refunds are provided by the Bursar for official withdrawals from all courses completed by the end of the fourth week of class. Students may "drop" a course within the first six days of class with no penalty. If this "drop" changes a student's status from full to part time or if the student is originally enrolled as part time, a tuition refund is available during the first six days of the quarter. This "drop" will result in loss of funding for full-time students.
(Z) - Audit - This grade indicates that the student has audited a course. A student may register to audit a course at any point during the registration period. However, a permission to audit form must accompany the registration. This form also includes a space to convert a registration to audit a course to a registration for credit or the reverse. This option can only be used during the first six days of the quarter. One half tuition is charged for courses audited. The credit represented by the audited course does not count towards a student's full-time status nor does it count towards a residency requirement. However, if the audited course contributes to a credit count of more than 18 credits, half tuition per credit over 18 will be charged. An audited course does not bear credit and does not satisfy a program course requirement.
(R) - Registered - A permanent grade which indicates that a student has registered for a course but has yet to meet the total requirements of a continuing course. Re-enrollment in the same course occurs for several quarters (such as thesis credits for graduate students).
(E) - The "E" Grade is a temporary grade given in the first or second quarter of a two or three quarter course sequence. If the course which follows the "E" graded course is passed with a "D" or above, the "E" grade is converted to a "D". If a failing grade is assigned to the course which follows, the "E" grade is converted to an "F".
(S) - Satisfactory - Upon acceptable completion and defense of thesis, the student will be granted this grade for the continuation of thesis course. Courses bearing the "S" grade do not effect a student's GPA, do not count as credit toward the total necessary for graduation and are not considered toward the residency requirement.
(T) - Transfer (credit) - Any student with previous graduate level work may petition the graduate faculty through the Graduate Coordinator for transfer credit. Any such coursework cannot be part of a degree that has been already awarded. A maximum of six quarter credits, transfer or otherwise, can be taken outside CIS. Transfer credit is awarded on a course-by-course basis. Credit is granted for previously completed courses earning a grade of "B" or above from accredited institutions only. The grades for these courses are not figured into a student's RIT GPA and are not counted towards a residency requirement. The credit is, however, included in the total count towards the degree requirements.
Credit by Examination does not effect a student's RIT GPA nor does it count towards the residency requirement. This strategy cannot be used to replace a "D" or "F" grade. Credit achieved through successful completion of an examination does count towards a student's degree requirements.
Change of Grade - Following a faculty member's report of grades, it is not within the right of any person to change a grade unless an error is shown in the computation or recording of that grade. If an error has been made, the faculty member must complete the appropriate Change of Grade form which is to be officially signed by faculty member and department head, stamped by the records secretary, and submitted to the Registrar. An appeals procedure is available to students who wish to dispute a grade after consulting with the instructor of the course. The next level of the appeals process is with the Academic Conduct Committee of the Center for Imaging Science. A final appeal is made with the Institute Hearing and Appeals Board.
All course grades are considered when calculating a grade point average. Permission from the Coordinator of the Graduate program must be granted to a student who wishes to repeat a course.
Grade Point Average
There are two categories of grade point average calculation for graduate students:
1. RIT - quarterly, yearly and cumulative
2. Program - quarterly, yearly and cumulative
The RIT averages will reflect all RIT course work completed at or above the 100 course-number level with a grade of A, B, C, D, E, or F. Whenever the RIT averages are produced, the number of diploma credits and diploma quality points are also noted.
The program average reflects any course work completed at RIT which is applicable to the requirements of the academic program in Imaging Science. Graduation criteria are based on the student's program cumulative GPA.
Note: In most instances, the program GPA and the RIT GPA are identical. When a student changes a major or takes electives not applicable to a degree program, the program and RIT GPA may differ.
The Quarterly Grade Point Average reflects a single quarter of academic activity and includes all course work completed for credit at RIT during that quarter.
The Yearly Grade Point Average reflects the student's academic activity for each year, ending with spring quarter and including the previous summer quarter. The primary purpose of this computation is to consider part-time students for the Dean's List at the end of spring quarter.
The Cumulative Grade Point Average reflects the sum total of the course work completed at RIT. This calculation is updated each quarter a student is in attendance.
Exception: A student who completes undergraduate studies at RIT and then engages in graduate program will begin a new record and cumulative GPA upon matriculation as a graduate student.
Additional Policies, Procedures and Responsibilities
I. Attendance Policies and Responsibilities
1. Faculty members are not required to maintain formal attendance records of students in their classes. As cases of serious absences become known, the student's advisor or department head should be notified.
In those sponsored programs which require class attendance of students, it is the student's responsibility to request weekly verification of attendance. In such programs, the faculty are expected to honor such requests.
2. Each faculty member is required to check and to correct class lists every quarter as directed by the Registrar.
3. Each advisor or department head should conduct an exit interview with withdrawing students. For the student's benefit, the advisor or department head should make certain that the student has completed all official withdrawal procedures.
4. The Student Health Service will notify the department or school concerned when it is known that a student will be absent for several days, or an extended period, because of illness. (See also, Medical Excuse for Absence from Class)
5. It is the responsibility of all students to attend their scheduled classes regularly and punctually in order to promote their progress and to maintain conditions conducive to effective learning.
6. Absences, for whatever reason, do not relieve students of their responsibility for fulfilling normal requirements of any course. In particular, it is the student's responsibility to make individual arrangements in advance of missing class due to personal obligations, such as religious holidays, job interviews, athletic contests, etc., in order that they may meet their obligations without penalty for missing class.
7. A student is not required to file excuses for absences unless required to do so by the instructor.
From Rochester Institute of Technology, Educational Policies and Procedures Manual, Section IV-A
II. Medical Excuse for Absence from Classes
Students examined by the Student Health Service who have concerns about the potential impact of identified health problems upon their academic progress are advised to contact the appropriate faculty member promptly. Student Health Service will respond to requests to release information according to the procedures listed below.
Policy: Your medical record is confidential; information to be shared with faculty/staff requires your written permission.
Procedure:
1. You must complete and sign a Release of Information Form in the Student Health Service. Your signature must be witnessed by a member of the Student Health Service.
2. Once the completed form is filed with the Student Health Service, you should ask your instructors to call the Student Health Service for verifying information. The Student Health Service does not issue written medical excuses.
3. The Student Health Service staff will limit information given from the Medical Record to verification that you were seen by a health care provider in the Student Health Service on a given date and at the time as recorded in the Medical Record.
4. If you wish to have more detailed information/data (than indicated in #3 above) shared from your Medical Record, i.e., presenting symptoms, diagnosis, nature of treatment, etc., this must be specified as part of the Information Release Request. You must indicate exactly what is to be shared.
III. Cancellation of Classes
Information regarding the cancellation of classes due to inclement weather is announced on all radio stations. Decisions to cancel evening classes are usually made later in the day.
Students may telephone the instructor's office or call the department secretary for information regarding class cancellations.
Class cancellations due to an instructor's ill health or personal or professional conflict are posted outside of the classrooms on the day of class. The instructor is then responsible for scheduling a make-up class meeting at the convenience of a majority of students in the class.
IV. Leave of Absence
A student who is contemplating a leave of absence should meet with the Graduate Coordinator. A leave of absence is not to extend beyond four consecutive quarters (including summer quarter) from the quarter in which the student was most recently registered. An official Leave of Absence reserves space for a student to return to academic study in the Imaging Science curriculum without reapplication. However, an extended absence beyond the four quarters requires an application for readmission to the program.
Departure from the program without an official leave will require a reapplication to be readmitted. If a student requests a longer leave period, withdrawal from the institute should be advised. The student may reapply through the Office of Admissions to return to the program.
V. Academic Dishonesty
The Rochester Institute of Technology does not condone any form of academic dishonesty. Any act of improper representation of another person's work as one's own is construed as an act of academic dishonesty. These acts include, but are not limited to, plagiarism in any form or use of information and materials not authorized by the instructor during an examination.
If a faculty member judges a student to be guilty of some form of academic dishonesty, the student may be given a failing grade for that piece of work or for the course, depending on the severity of the misconduct.
If the student believes the action taken by the instructor to be incorrect or the penalty too severe, appeal may be made to the Academic Conduct Committee of the Center for Imaging Science.
VI. Withdrawal from the Institute
A student who contemplates official withdrawal from the Institute should meet with the Graduate Coordinator. The student must also speak with a faculty advisor before the withdrawal will be processed. Official withdrawal forms are obtained from the Records Office.
VII. Withdrawal and Refund Policy
A. Tuition
1. Full Refund
a. Active Military Service - A student called to active military service during the first 8 weeks of the term may receive a full tuition refund. If called after the eighth week, the student may elect to complete the course by making special arrangements with both the instructor and a faculty advisor. If the student chooses to withdraw, full tuition will be refunded. No credit will be given for withdrawn courses.
b. Academic Reasons - Students often register for courses before grades for the previous quarter have been issued. If a student is suspended of has failed a prerequisite, full tuition will be refunded upon withdrawal. It is the student's responsibility to be sure that proper withdrawal and refund forms are subsequently processed.
2. Partial Refund
A partial refund will be made during a quarter if withdrawal is necessitated for one of the following reasons:
a. Illness, certified by the attending physician, causing excessive absence from classes;
b. Withdrawal for academic reasons at the request of the Institute during a quarter;
c. Transfer by employer, making class attendance impossible;
d. Withdrawal for academic or personal reasons at the request of the student; approved by the student's advisor, the Program Coordinator and the Bursar. If the Institute withdrawal occurs after the first two weeks of the quarter, the student's instructors will be notified by the Registrar's Office.
Partial Refund Schedule
Withdrawal % Refund
During the first week of classes =100
During the second week of classes =70
During the third week of classes =60
During the fourth week of classes =50
Fifth and subsequent weeks =No Refund
Students should not consider themselves "officially withdrawn" until they receive their copy of the withdrawal form. The date on which the form is properly completed shall be the "official withdrawal" date which is used to determine the refundable amount.
Full to Part Time Status
Students who drop their course load from full-time (12 or more credits) to part-time (less than 12 credits) status during the Official Drop Period (first six days of the quarter), they may be eligible for a refund based upon the differential between full time tuition payments and the total per credit charge for the part-time load. Courses dropped from a full-time load after the Official Drop Period will not result in a tuition refund. Dropping course loads from full-time (12-16 or more credits to part-time (less than 12 credits) may result in loss of funding for all funded students.
B. Fees
Fees are not refundable.
C. Room and Board
To complete a withdrawal from RIT, a resident student or non-resident student on a meal plan must check out with Housing and/or Food Service. Refunds, when granted, are pro-rated from the date of official withdrawal from the Institute.
Refund Schedule for Room Charge
Withdrawal % Refund
During the first week of classes =90% unused charge
During the second week of classes =75% unused charge
During the third week of classes =60% unused charge
During the fourth week of classes =50% unused charge
Refund Schedule for Board
If a student leaves within the first 4 weeks/ 75% of the unused board is refundable.
If a student leaves after the first 4 weeks/ 50% of the unused board is refundable.
From Rochester Institute of Technology, Educational Policies and Procedures Manual, Sec. VII
VIII. Faculty Expectations of Students (or, Questions Students Often Ask)
Q: What should I do if I am sick on test day?
A: Telephone your instructor's office and inform him or her of your illness. If you cannot reach your instructor, telephone the department office and leave a message. Instructors' policies vary in such circumstances. However, it is your responsibility to find out what you must do to demonstrate mastery of the course material.
Q: Can an instructor require class attendance and lower my grade if I miss class?
A: Yes. Many professors feel that attendance in class is important. Policies regarding this issue are up to the instructor.
Q: Does the professor have to return papers and exams to me? Must these materials be kept on file?
A: No. Policies vary by instructor and by course. Most professors will go over these materials in class or with an individual student during office hours. It is your responsibility to make an appointment with your instructor if you wish a consultation. It may also be your responsibility to collect your final exam, paper or project from your instructor following the end of the quarter. Students who are not prompt with their requests for returned papers or projects may find that the instructor no longer has the materials to return.
Q: What should I do if I feel that I am subjected to sexual harassment (i.e. The instructor suggests I will receive a better grade if I date him/her?)
A: If you feel an instructor is acting improperly toward you, speak with that person promptly. Indicate that you consider this conduct improper and offensive. If the behavior persists, you may consult the Institute Policy on Sexual Harassment. This information is available in the Office of the Dean.
Q: What should I do if I feel I was graded unfairly on a course?
A: The first step is to approach your professor. If that action proves unsuccessful, an appeals procedure is available to students. See the Coordinator of Academic Services for a description of this procedure.
Q: What happens to the student evaluation forms we fill out at the end of the quarter?
A: They are processed and returned to the instructor after 3-4 weeks. The instructor can then read your written comments and see a summary of your ratings. The CIS Director will also have access to the data. Additionally, the data is used by Department chairs, the dean, committees on promotion and tenure, and committees giving awards to outstanding teachers as part of the decision-making criteria.
Q: What should I do if I see another student cheating on an exam?
A: There is no honor rule at RIT that demands that you turn in a student who cheats. However, you can speak to the instructor, in private. You can tell that instructor that you suspect that the exam may not accurately reflect everyone's understanding of the material.
Q: What does the word "plagiarism" mean?
A: Plagiarism means taking someone else's work and using it as your own. This is a very serious offense and will be dealt with severely.
Q: What will happen if I cheat on an exam or if I plagiarize?
A: You will find a booklet titled, "On Property and Propriety in Ideas" in the records office. Please refer to this manual. This type of conduct will not be tolerated and the penalties are severe. Don't risk having an offense of this sort on your record.
Q: What are some other examples of unethical academic conduct?
A: a) falsifying research data; b) damaging library sources; c). not acknowledging research sources; d) monopolizing materials intended for use by a whole class; e) not doing your share on a team project.
Q: May I have someone else proofread my papers for grammatical errors?
A: Yes, of course. In fact, the Learning Development Center has personnel who will help you in this regard.
Q: May I use a paper done in one course for another course?
A: Talk with your instructor for the second course. Often it is possible to use the first paper as a basis for the second one, or to write on a related topic.
Q: Are there any reference books that I can use which will instruct me concerning writing papers?
A: We recommend either of the following sources which are sold in the RIT Bookstore:
A Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian or The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White.
The above is adapted from the College of Business, Undergraduate Student Handbook
IX. Evaluation of Instruction
Students enrolled in courses in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science are entitled to evaluate the course and the instructor at the end of each quarter. The evaluation forms are used primarily by the instructor in order to improve the quality of the course.
Part 3