| Policy Number: S-010 | Effective Date: January 2022 | Revision Date: N/A |
- Policy Statement
Guru Nanak Institute of Global Studies (GNI) recognizes the need for Students to receive transparent, timely, and, where applicable, transferable grades for their course work. GNI supports the individual program and course needs and Student mobility through three grade scales that align with those in use at most British Columbia institutions. For its Academic courses, GNI uses a letter grade and grade point system. Each letter grade is the equivalent to the percent earned in the course, which is also equal to a grade point. You can view your grades through myGNI. For Competency-based courses, the grades are assigned as either P (pass) or F (fail) based on learning outcomes established by GNI. - Purpose Statement
This policy defines the grade scales used at GNI and how they measure Students’ achievement levels in their courses. The policy also ensures the timely submission of grades and that program areas adopt the grade scale most suited to their needs. - Scope & Application
This policy applies to all courses that are part of a learning pathway or that lead to an academic program credential or program or course completion credential. - Principles
4.1. Course grades will be assigned by Instructors in a timely fashion using the grade scale approved by the GNI Board for the specified course.
4.2 Final course grades and standings will be recorded on GNI transcripts to communicate each Student’s progress and level of achievement. - Program Credential
The named qualification that is awarded to a Student upon completion of a prescribed program of study leading to a certificate or diploma has been approved by the Board of Trustees. - Authorized Course Description (ACD)
Each document defining the educational components of a course, which the GNI Board has approved, is listed under the COURSES tab. The educational components in an ACD include course code, title, format, credit value, level, prerequisites/corequisites, course description, content, learning outcomes, evaluation methods, and text material. The Instructor qualifications teaching the course are listed under ABOUT/OUR FACULTY. - Grades
A grade measures a Student’s achievement in a course and is indicated on the transcript upon course completion. Final grades are assigned based on one of three grade systems:
7.1 Standard Grade System
| Percentage | Letter Grade | Grade Point |
|---|---|---|
| 90-100 | A+ | 4.33 |
| 85-89 | A | 4.00 |
| 80-84 | A- | 3.67 |
| 76-79 | B+ | 3.33 |
| 72-75 | B | 3.00 |
| 68-71 | B- | 2.67 |
| 64-67 | C+ | 2.33 |
| 60-63 | C | 2.00 |
| 55-59 | C- | 1.67 |
| 50-54 | D | 1.00 |
| 0-49 | F | 0.00 |
| Did not complete | DNC | 0.00 |
| Aegrotat | AEG | N/A |
| Transfer | TRF | N/A |
| Transfer with D | TRD | N/A |
Explanation of Standard Grades:
Grade (A+, A, A-) = Excellent Performance
Grade (B+, B, B-) = Good Performance
Grade (C+, C) = Satisfactory Performance
Grade (C-, D) = Marginal Performance
Grade (F) = Fail. Unsatisfactory Performance
7.2 Competency-Based Grades
This grading system is based on a satisfactory acquisition of defined skills or successful completion of the course learning outcomes.
| Letter Grade | Numerical Equivalent | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| P | No equivalent | Satisfactory performance or better (pass, ungraded) |
| F | 0.00 | Fail (unsatisfactory performance) |
| FD | 0.00 | Fail (academic discipline) |
| W | No equivalent | Withdrawn |
7.3 Practicum Grades
| Letter Grade | Numerical Equivalent | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| P | No equivalent | Satisfactory performance or better (pass, ungraded) |
| W | No equivalent | Withdrawn |
8. Secondary Grades
Secondary Grades provide for assessment of achievement through other processes and are indicated on the transcript. These include Aegrotat (AEG), Transfer (TRF), and Transfer (TRD):
- AEG: The Student receives credit for a course based on satisfactory completion of evaluations deemed sufficient to meet course learning outcomes but has been unable to complete all course evaluations due to demonstrated extraordinary circumstances.
- TRF: Course credit is transferred from another accredited institution to the College. The course may be used as a prerequisite.
- TRD: Course credit is transferred from another accredited institution to the GNI. The course may not be used as a prerequisite.
- DNC: The Student did not complete the course.
9. Standing
Standing is an indication of a Student’s status in a course. Standings do not carry course credit and are recorded on the transcript, with the exception of Withdrawal (W). Standings include Audit (AUD), Course in Progress (CIP), Continuing Status (CS), Exempt (EXM), Incomplete (INC), No Grade Reported (NGR), and Withdrawal (W):
- AUD: The Student is not required to meet course prerequisites but may attend course classes and complete course readings. The Student is not required to complete coursework for submission or examinations. Audited courses may not be used as prerequisites.
- CIP: The Student is currently enrolled in a course with a future end date. A final course grade will be noted on the transcript upon completion of the course.
- CS: The Student is continuing studies in a course for an indefinite period beyond the registered end date of the course section. Final grading for the course has not occurred.
- EXM: An exemption is based on documentation of successfully completed coursework. Exempted courses allow a Student to register for a course for which the exempted course is a prerequisite. Exempted courses do not carry course credit.
- INC: The Student is unable to complete a course in the scheduled time due to demonstrated exceptional circumstances. INC is a temporary standing applied to a course for a specified period reflected by a specified extended end date. SEA approval is required for this status.
- NGR: When a course is completed but not yet graded.
- W: The Student formally withdraws from the course by the designated withdrawal date.
10. Program or Course Completion Credential
A document that acknowledges a Student’s completion of a course or program
11. Guidelines
11.1. In accordance with this policy, the grade scales used by a program area will be determined by departments in collaboration with the Senior Education Administrator and the Academic Board.
11.2. Instructors will normally enter grades and/or standings in the Student record system: Within seven (7) calendar days after the Student has written the final examination; or
11.2.1 If there is no final examination, within seven (7) calendar days of the last day of classes for the course; or
11.2.2 Within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the Student’s last assessment.
11.3. The SEA may grant extensions to the grade reporting deadlines at their discretion. The SEA will notify the Registrar of any extensions. Extensions should not normally exceed four (4) calendar days.
11.4 The SEA must approve all AEG grades.
11.5. INC – will only be assigned by Instructors with approval from the SEA for a course in documented exceptional circumstances after the scheduled completion date for the course. INC is a temporary standing applied for a specified period with a specified extended end date. The extended end date will typically be no more than three (3) months past the regularly scheduled course end date. Instructors will submit a Grade Change Form with the final grade to the Student Records Office by the extended end date. If the Grade Change Form is not received by the extended end date, a grade of DNC is entered on the transcript.
11.6 CIP – standing will only be used for a course prior to the regularly scheduled completion date for the course. CIP standing is created automatically by the Student records system and is removed when a final grade is entered.
11.7 CS – standing will be assigned for designated continuous entry/exit programs when a Student has not completed the course with the academic year. Students will be reregistered in the same course in the next academic year, where they can be graded out once the course is completed. Final grading for the course has not occurred.
11.8 DNC – will be assigned for a course when a Student does not complete required course work and does not formally withdraw from the course by the official withdrawal date.
11.9 W – will be assigned for a course when a Student formally withdraws from a course by the official withdrawal key dates in GNI policies; S-006 Tuition Fees and Refund and S-013 Student Withdrawal Policy.
12. Procedures
12.1. The Office of the Registrar will normally provide a list of missing grades and standings to the Instructor and their SEA even (7) days after the last day of the final exam period.
12.2. Incomplete Standing
12.2.1 When an Instructor wants to apply an Incomplete standing (INC) with an end date to a course on a Student’s record, they will require SEA approval. The Instructor will complete the Incomplete Standing Request form and submit to their dean/director for approval. If the dean/director approves, they will sign the form and submit to the Student Records Office (SRO). SRO will add the INC standing and expiry date to the Student record. Instructors will either submit a grade change form to SRO (see 3.2 below) prior to the specified extended end date or the standing will automatically change to Did Not Complete (DNC).
13. Grade Change
13.1 Instructors may change grades after the grade submission deadline by completing and forwarding a Grade Change Form to the SEA. One form must be submitted for each grade change.
13.2. Instructors assigning grades after an INC standing has been assigned must complete and forward a Grade Change Form to the SEA. One form must be submitted for each grade change.
13.3. Students who have reason to believe that there has been an error or omission in marking their work may seek a resolution through dialogue with the course Instructor. If a resolution cannot be achieved through dialogue, the Students may follow the process laid out in GNI Policy S-011 Student Resolution Policy.