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Grading System
Grades at Keene State College are recorded as A (4.0), AB (3.5), B (3.0), BC (2.5), C (2.0), CD (1.5), D (1.0), and F (0.0).
These courses are graded Pass/Fail (P/F):
Music Workshop (MU 100)
Student Teaching (EDUC 400, EDUC 405, SPED 460, SPED 465)
Honors Seminar (PSYC 496)
Honors Research (PSYC 499)
Cooperative Education (294 and 494)
Sport and Leisure Activities (PE 150-186)
Students who wish to change from credit-to-audit, audit-to-credit, or undergraduate-to-graduate status in a course must do so during the first two weeks of the semester.
An Incomplete ("I") may be given when there have been extenuating circumstances or illness. An "I" is not calculated into a student's quality point average, but becomes an "XF" if the course requirements are not completed by the end of the seventh week of the following semester, or, for students granted an academic leave of absence, by the end of the seventh week of the semester following the leave. The "XF" grade is calculated as an "F" in the student's cumulative G.P.A.
An ("IX") No Grade Submitted, is assigned when a grade has not been submitted by the instructor within the appropriate time for grading. The "IX" will become a "W" if the course has not been graded by the end of the seventh week of the following spring or fall semester. Exceptions to the above stated procedure require approval of the appropriate dean.
The grade In Progress ("IP") is given only for courses requiring more than one semester to complete. The deans submit to the Registrar a list of courses in their divisions for which an "IP" grade is appropriate. Any course for which an "IP" is awarded must be completed within one semester after the "IP" is given, at which time the "IP" will change to an "XF" if the work is not finished. Exceptions to the above stated procedure require approval of the appropriate dean.
Grade Appeals
If a student believes that he/she has not been graded according to criteria contained in the course syllabus, or has been graded unfairly or inaccurately, the student should first consult with the course instructor about the course requirements and grading procedures.
If the student is still dissatisfied, he/she may file an appeal in writing to the instructor's dean. The dean will conduct whatever review is necessary to arrive at a resolution, including, if necessary, a meeting with the instructor and the student.
If the matter is not resolved at this level, the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the Vice President for Academic Affairs determines that the matter cannot be otherwise resolved, he or she has the option of removing any record of the student's registration in the course from his or her transcript without penalty to the student.
Progress Reports
Faculty are encouraged to issue mid-semester progress reports to students in 100- and 200-level courses who are achieving academic excellence or who are achieving below the acceptable class standard.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
The Cumulative Grade Point Average is determined (1) by multiplying the grade weight (A=4, AB=3.5, B=3, BC=2.5, C=2, CD=1.5, D=1, F=0) for the grade in each course times the number of credits the course carries, in order to determine the grade points for each course; (2) by adding all grade points earned; and (3) by dividing this total by the total number of credits for all courses in which grades have been earned. Grades earned at other institutions are not included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average.
A semester quality point average may be calculated in the same way. For example, the semester quality point average for a student who received one A, three Bs, and one C in five three-credit courses during a given semester would be calculated as follows: 12 grade points for the one A (A=4 times 3 credits), 27 grade points for the three Bs (B=3 times 9 credits for three courses), and 6 grade points for the one C (C=2 times 3 credits), giving a total of 45 grade points. Dividing the total grade points (45) by 15 (5 courses times 3 credits each), yields a semester quality point average of 3.0.
Credits for each course for which a "P" is awarded are used to determine total credits earned by the student toward graduation, but the credits in such courses are not used in calculating grade point averages. Also, noncredit courses are not used in computations for grade point averages. When using the Course Retake Policy, repeated courses count only once and grade points are based on the last grade for the course.
Academic Standing
A matriculated student is required to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 to be in good academic standing.
A minimum grade point average of 1.00 is required of first semester freshmen, transfer, and readmit New Start students at the conclusion of their initial semester.
Any of these students earning a grade point average less than 1.00 at the conclusion of their first semester will be academically suspended.
Academic Probation and Suspension
Each student is responsible for becoming aware of, and meeting, the standard established for academic performance at Keene State College. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 is required to be in good academic standing. Failure to achieve the specified, minimum scholarship standard will result in academic probation or possible academic suspension.
Academic Probation. Any matriculated student who has a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 1.00 and less than 2.00 will be placed on academic probation for the ensuing semester. A student who fails to improve his or her cumulative GPA to a minimum of 2.00 at the conclusion of the first semester of probation will be continued one additional semester of probation. A student who fails to achieve the required cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the conclusion of the second successive semester on probation will be suspended. With the exception of an error by the College in assessing or recording academic performance, a student may not appeal for reinstatement.
Academic Suspension. A minimum grade point average of 1.00 is required of new students (freshmen, transfer) following their first semester and readmit students following their first semester of readmittance. Failure to meet this requirement will result in automatic suspension. With the exception of an error by the College in assessing or recording academic performance, a student may not appeal for reinstatement.
A student who fails to achieve the required cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the conclusion of the second successive semester on probation will be suspended. With the exception of an error by the College in assessing or recording academic performance, a student may not appeal for reinstatement.
Academic suspension from Keene State College results in the loss of matriculated status for a minimum of one fall or spring semester immediately following the notice of suspension. Suspension excludes students from all nonacademic activities at Keene State College. However, academically-suspended students may enroll for a maximum of 8 credits during a fall or spring semester or during the summer school program (session 1 and 2 combined) through the Division of Continuing Education at Keene State College.
If completion of these courses causes the student’s cumulative grade point average to meet or exceed the appropriate minimum scholarship standard, then the student may apply for readmission to the College for the semester following the mandatory semester of separation.
The criteria for readmission are specified in the Readmission Requirements policy statement in the Undergraduate Admission section of this catalog.
Grade Appeal Process. If a student believes that he or she has not been graded according to criteria contained in the course syllabus, or has been graded unfairly or inaccurately, the student should pursue the Grade Appeals process defined elsewhere in the Academic Policies section of this catalog. The student should inform the Office of the Registrar in writing that a grade appeal is in process, including the specific course(s) and grade(s) in question.
In cases where an error has been made by the College in assessing or recording academic performance (e.g., incorrect grade, calculation of GPA), the appropriate adjustments will be made to the student’s official academic record. If warranted, a student’s academic standing will be corrected and the academically suspended student
will be reinstated.
Policy on Academic Honesty
Detailed procedures and processes pertaining to the Policy on Academic Honesty can be viewed at http://www.keene.edu/policy/academichonesty.cfm.
College Withdrawal
Students wishing to withdraw from the College must secure a withdrawal form from the Dean of Students. This form, when complete and authorized with appropriate signatures, must be cleared with the Bursar's Office for settlement of accounts.
Students leaving the College during the course of a semester without officially withdrawing are held responsible for their registration for that semester. An unofficial withdrawal from the College results in failure in all courses and consequent suspension or dismissal action, as well as loss of any refund privileges.
Academic Leave of Absence
A student seeking a leave of absence must make a written request to the Dean of Students. The request must include the reason for the leave and the exact semester the student intends to return to campus. When a leave of absence has been officially granted by the College, no additional readmission procedure is needed.
Dean's List
At the end of each semester, matriculated students who complete a semester with a minimum of six credits of indexable (not pass/fail) grades, earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher, receive no failing grades nor grades of Incomplete, and have no missing grades, will be placed on the Dean's List.
Commencement Policy
Students expecting to meet the requirements for their baccalaureate degree(s) within the calendar year (May, August, December)* may participate in May commencement. Students may not participate in commencement more than once for the same degree. The requirements for the degree must be completed before a degree is awarded and a diploma is issued.
*Students will be identified as graduating in May, August, or December and will be designated as such in the May commencement ceremony.
Graduation Requirements
1. A student must be formally admitted to a degree program before beginning the final 30 credits of a degree. Students intending to participate in the May commencement ceremony (including August and December graduates) must submit the Intent to Graduate Form to the Office of the Registrar by October 1.
2. To earn a degree, a student must complete at least 30 credits in residence at Keene State College. Credits taken through the National and International Exchange programs and the New Hampshire Consortium will be considered credits earned at KSC. Note: Refer to Transfer of Credit policy in the current Keene State College catalog.
3. Students must satisfactorily complete the prescribed requirements of the curriculum in which they are enrolled and must present a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
4. Payment of relevant fees (e.g., graduation, fines) must be received before a diploma is issued.
The associate vice president for Academic Affairs must approve exceptions to graduation requirements.
Commencement Honors
A graduating student who has earned at least 60 graded credits at Keene State College in a bachelor's degree program, or at least 30 credits at Keene State College in an associate degree program, is eligible to graduate with academic honors.
Recognition of commencement honors at the commencement ceremony is based on the student's cumulative grade point average as of the preceding December.
A student's permanent record (e.g., transcript and diploma) will reflect commencement honors based on the student's cumulative GPA upon completion of his or her degree program.
Honors in specific disciplines are awarded to those who complete the honors requirements of their respective academic discipline (3.20 minimum), and who have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher.
A student with a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher will earn summa cum laude honors. A student with a cumulative GPA of 3.70-3.89 will earn magna cum laude honors. A student with a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.69 will earn cum laude honors.
Transcript (Academic Record)
The Registrar's Office maintains official academic records, including class rosters, schedules, and transcripts. Upon graduation, one official transcript of a student's academic record accompanies the diploma free of charge. Thereafter, there is a fee for each official transcript. Transcripts will be sent by the Registrar's Office only upon receipt of a written request with the student's signature, ID number, last year of attendance, full name while attending, and current address, accompanied by payment. Checks should be made payable to Keene State College.
A student requesting a change to his or her academic transcript in an area that, under current policy and procedure, is the student's responsibility, must initiate the change within one calendar year of the conclusion of the semester in question. This limitation does not apply in an area recognized as the responsibility of Keene State College.
Student Records
Pursuant to the passage of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 20 U.S.C. 1232g (the "Buckley Amendment") and subsequent amendments and clarifications by the U.S. Senate Joint Resolution No. 40, the Board of Trustees of the University System of New Hampshire adopted a policy which assures a student access to education records which pertain to matriculation within Keene State College.
In general, the law provides that:
a. Student records are confidential, with the exception of predetermined public directory information.
Privacy Hold Policy. Directory information, either published or in dealing with routine inquiries, is defined by Keene State College as the following:
Name
Mailing address
Mailing telephone
Local/campus address
Local/campus telephone
E-mail address (KSC)
Date/Place of birth
Major(s)
Dates of attendance
Degree(s) and awards received
All other information contained in official student education records is available only to those persons within the College who have a legitimate need for it, and to all others, only with the expressed consent (i.e., signature) of the student.
Choice 1: All address and telephone information will be held from printed or electronic directories. The student's presence at Keene State College will be acknowledged in response to routine inquiries, and name, date of birth, major, degrees, and awards received will be published such as Dean's List, Commencement program, and announcements. Students will be eligible to receive a College e-mail account.
Choice 2: All directory information will be held in confidence, which means the student's presence at Keene State College will not be acknowledged in response to routine inquiries. No directory information will be listed in print or electronic media, and the student's name will not be published in Dean's List announcements, honors, recognitions, Commencement program, or newspaper listings. In addition, federal law prohibits our response to inquiries by employers or prospective employers. The student will not be able to receive a College e-mail account.
Students are advised to seek advice and counseling from the Registrar before choosing this option, as it is very restrictive.
Once a student places a privacy hold of either type upon his/her record, it shall remain in place until the Office of the Registrar is notified in writing, signed by the student, to change or remove the hold. This applies even if the student separates him/herself from the institution.
b. Students shall have access to their official education records with the exception of financial aid records submitted by parents, confidential references submitted prior to January 1, 1975, and medical, psychiatric, and counseling records used only in connection with providing treatment to the student. A student may have a doctor or other professional examine and explain medical, psychiatric, and counseling records, and may, at the discretion of the Coordinator of Health Service, obtain at his/her own expense, copies of his/her medical (exclusive of psychiatric and counseling) records.
c. Students shall have the right to know information contained in their education record and to have a hearing to determine the appropriateness of such information remaining in the record. The following offices maintain educational records on all students enrolled at the College:
Bursar’s Office
Elliot Center
Registrar’s Office
Elliot Center
Dean of Students' Office
Elliot Center
The following offices maintain education records for some of the students enrolled at the College:
Academic and Career Advising
Elliot Center
Office of Intercollegiate Athletics
Spaulding Gymnasium
Arts and Humanities
Parker Hall
Professional and Graduate Studies
Rhodes Hall
Sciences and Social Sciences
Science Center
Center for Health and Wellness
Elliot Center
Residential Life Office
29 Butler Court
Student Financial Services Office
Elliot Center
Student Loans Office
Elliot Center
Teacher Education and Graduate Studies Office
Rhodes Hall
For more information concerning the Buckley Amendment or for assistance in locating individuals or offices maintaining a student's educational record, contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Lloyd P. Young Student Center.
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