Grading System

An instructor may issue a failing grade (Teacher “F”) as a result of unsatisfactory classroom attendance. Students may only be readmitted to class upon written approval of the instructor. Students must officially withdraw by the designated course withdrawal date in order to receive a “W” grade. If a withdrawal is not processed, the student will receive an “F” (failing grade). This may appear as a “T” on an unofficial transcript.

A “W” (Withdrawal) may be recorded on the official record for students wishing to discontinue attendance in a course after the end of the refund period, provided the withdrawal procedure is followed: An Official Withdrawal can be processed in-person. The student is strongly advised to discuss the academic impact of withdrawing from classes with the instructor and/or the Financial Aid office prior to withdrawing from classes. Withdrawing from classes may have an adverse effect on your financial aid, and may result in you being billed for your classes and/or not being able to receive Financial aid in the future. Withdrawal from courses is permitted at any time up to two weeks before the beginning of the final examination period provided the plagiarism policy has not been violated. Courses with shorter timelines and/or 8-week courses have special withdrawal dates. Please consult with Registration personnel or the current schedule for these timelines.

An “I” grade indicates that an important assignment such as a term paper, final examination, or experiment is missing, and upon arrangement with the instructor, may be submitted to complete the course. Removal of an “Incomplete” establishes whatever grade is warranted, provided that the work is completed prior to the mid-term of the semester following the term in which the course was taken. Otherwise, the final grade of “F” (or appropriate grade) is then recorded. Please consult with course instructors concerning incomplete courses.

Students may repeat courses within the following guidelines:

1. Students repeating courses do so with the understanding that the grade earned at the most recent time they completed the course, or the current time that they are completing the course, will be computed in the grade point average for their College record. An asterisk will appear adjacent to the previous grade on the official transcript.
2. Students intending to transfer to other colleges or universities are encouraged to contact those schools about their repeat course policies.
3. Students who have completed a course with a grade of A, B, C, Pass, or who have withdrawn from that course two or more times must receive the approval of the associate dean or dean of the academic division in which that course is taught, or another official designated by the associate dean. In order to repeat the course, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain permission prior to registration, and those who fail to do so may be dropped from the class.
4. Students who have earned a grade of D, F, Fail, or U in a course, or who have withdrawn from that course only once, do not need permission to repeat that course.
5. Students should note that courses are withdrawn from the curriculum from time to time, and that some courses may not be available for repeating.

Most scholarships or grants will not pay for repeated classes that the student has successfully completed (D grade or higher). Students who wish to repeat classes and who have financial aid should check with the SSC Office of Financial Aid for clarification prior to registration.

Note: These guidelines do not apply to students registering for courses which are designated “May be repeated for credit.” (See Course Descriptions).

Certain courses are offered on a pass/fail basis. These courses are added to a student’s credit hour total, but passed hours are not included in the grade point average. Failed hours are included in a student’s GPA. Students intending to transfer to other colleges or universities are encouraged to contact those schools about their Pass/Fail policy.

To audit a course (take course for no credit), the student must register in the usual manner, paying all registration fees charged to students earning credit for the same course. After registering, the student completes the audit form and receives the signed permission of the instructor and returns the form to the Registration area. After the form has been received by the Records personnel, an “audit” becomes the official grade. After the first week of classes, a credit registration may not be changed to an audit registration, and an audit registration may not be changed to credit registration.

Attendance policy at South Suburban College is determined by each individual instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to fulfill the requirements set out by each instructor. An instructor may issue a failing grade as a result of unsatisfactory attendance. After an instructor issues a Teacher’s “F” for non-attendance, students may only be readmitted to class upon written approval of the instructor. Students may obtain a Petition for Readmission to Class form from the Registration Center to do so.

After receiving a Teacher’s “F” for non-attendance, students must officially withdraw from class by the designated semester withdrawal date in order to receive a “W” rather than a failing grade. Check the current schedule for specific guidelines.

The grade point average (GPA) is obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of hours attempted.

College credit is counted in semester hours-a one-hour class period per week for one semester represents one credit hour. Credit for laboratory courses varies. Only course grades earned at the College are entered on the permanent record or used in computing grade point averages. Each course description in this Catalog indicates the number of semester hours and the contact hours for each course. (See page 120 for definition of contact hours).

Grades received in MTH 100 and courses below the 100-level will not be included in the calculation of the college-level grade point average. (Courses below the 100-level taken prior to the Fall, 1993 semester will be included in the college-level grade point average calculations.)