Effective with the Fall 2011 semester, the college will no longer be identifying a “Z grade date” for all faculty to use, nor will the college require the submission of attendance records. Rather, each individual faculty member must define on the syllabus when a Z grade will be assigned. A Z grade will still signify “absent without withdrawal” or in other words, an unofficial withdrawal. The difference now is that a faculty member may choose when the appropriate cutoff date is for a Z grade.
Although official attendance books will not be distributed and attendance will not be required to be taken, there is nothing that precludes a faculty member from continuing to take attendance or use attendance when determining a student’s grade. Similarly, attendance may continue to be the basis for the determination of a Z grade.
The Z grade is not an option; by federal regulation, a Z grade must be defined. Some possible definitions are listed below:
- A Z grade will be given to any student who does not attend class after the official course withdrawal deadline.
- A Z grade will be given to any student who does not attend after week X (fill in the appropriate week number).
- A Z grade will be given to any student who does not attend after (a specific date (i.e., the 60% point)).
- A Z grade will be given to any student who does not submit work after (a specific date).
Although a department can not have any written policy with regard to the Z grade, your department chairperson may provide additional suggested language.
Published: Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:00:15 +0000 by k.petley