Grades and Scholastic Standing

Unofficial Transcript

Each student's transcript is the cumulative record of courses elected and grades earned while enrolled at the University of Michigan.

Unless withheld for infringement of rules, an individual may obtain an official copy of his or her transcript from the Office of the Registrar at no charge. An unofficial copy of the transcript may be obtained through Wolverine Access (http://wolverineaccess.umich.edu).

Students electing Study Abroad classes through the Office of International Programs (OIP) will receive credit hours and the appropriate number of grade points. OIP grades will be averaged into the student's overall grade point average.

Grade Point Averages

The term grade point average (GPA) and the cumulative GPA are computed for each student at the end of each term and become part of the academic record. The grades are valued per hour of credit as follows:

These items do not affect grade point averages:

• Pass/Fail
  • P (passed) credit, no honor points
  • F (failed) no credit, no honor points
• Credit/No Credit
  • CR (credit) credit, no honor points
  • NC (no credit) no credit, no honor points
• Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
  • S (satisfactory) credit, no honor points
  • U (unsatisfactory) no credit, no honor points
• Withdrawal/Drop
  • W (official withdrawal) no credit, no honor points
  • ED (dropped unofficially) no credit, no honor points
    (A notation of ED for a graded election has the same effect on the grade point average as does an E.)
• Incomplete/Work in Progress
  • I*(incomplete) no credit, no honor points
  • Y*(work in progress for no credit, no honor points, project approved to extend for two successive terms)
    (Y can only be used with course[s] specially approved by College of Engineering Curriculum Committee as "two-term" sequence course[s].)
• Official Audit (VI)
  • VI (Visitor) no credit, no honor points
• Miscellaneous Notation (NR)
• NR**(no report) no credit, no honor points

*A notation of I or Y, if not replaced by a passing grade, eventually lapses to E and, for graded elections, is computed into the term and cumulative grade point average.

**A notation of NR becomes an ED and has the same effect on the grade point average as does an E.

In the remainder of this section of the Bulletin, the term "a grade" applies to any of the grades A+ through E.

The grade point average is computed by dividing the grade points (Michigan Honor Points or MHP) by the graded hours attempted (Michigan Semester Hours or MSH).

Grades associated with transfer credit are neither recorded nor used in computing the cumulative average. The only exception to this rule is for courses elected on the Ann Arbor campus (effective November 1986).

Honor Point Deficit Calculator*

(Michigan Semester Hours * 2) - Michigan Honor Points = Honor Point Deficit

* Use cumulative totals to calculate cumulative deficit; use term totals to calculate term deficit. Totals reflect number of 'B' credits needed to raise cumulative or semester GPA above 2.0.

The GPA is figured by dividing Michigan Honor Points (MHP) by Michigan Semester Hours (MSH): 25.6 MHP / 16.00 MSH = 1.600 GPA.

The term honor point deficit is calculated by multiplying MSH by 2 and subtracting MHP: (16.00 MSH x 2 ) - 25.60 MHP = 6.4 honor point deficit.

Thus, this student needs 6.4 credits of 'B' grades to raise his/her term GPA above 2.00.

Scholastic Standing

Scholastic Standing Committee

Scholastic Standing Committee http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/scholasticstanding/
230 Chrysler Center
Phone: (734) 647-7115
Fax: (734) 647-7126
sscresponse@umich.edu

The Scholastic Standing Committee (SSC) is comprised of faculty representatives and academic services staff members. Faculty are appointed for a three-year term. The SSC studies problems related to scholastic performance and recommends criteria for defining scholastic deficiencies and for reinstating students whose enrollment is withheld according to the rules of the College.

The SSC reviews the petitions of students seeking reinstatement, determining who is reinstated and the conditions thereof. Students seeking reinstatement may be required to meet with the SSC, where two Committee members hear the student's case and outline the conditions of reinstatement or the reasons for permanent or temporary dismissal. In addition, the SSC reviews all petitions within the College, including the Petition for Late Drop, the Petition for Exception to College Rules and the Petition for Entire Term Action.

Standards Governing Scholastic Standing for Unsatisfactory Performance

All students will be in one of the following classifications:

• Good Standing: 2.00 GPA or better for both the term and the cumulative average.
• Probation: a deficiency up to 10 MHP for the term or cumulative.
• Enrollment Withheld: a deficiency of 10 MHP* or above for the term or cumulative; or the third or greater incidence of probation.
• Reinstated on Probation: Enrollment Withheld, but reinstated by the Scholastic Standing Committee.
• Enrollment Withheld Waived: Enrollment Withheld status remains but the petition process is waived because previous reinstatement conditions were met.
• Dismissal: SSC decision based upon failure to meet agreed upon conditions of reinstatement. Students no longer eligible to enroll in the College of Engineering or petition the Scholastic Standing Committee for reinstatement.
• Mandatory Leave: SSC decision requiring a leave from the College of Engineering based upon unsatisfactory academic performance.

Scholastic standing action will be determined as follows:

Probation

When a student has a deficiency between 0 and 10 MHPs for either the term or cumulative GPA, the student is placed on probation. The notation "Probation" will be entered on the unofficial transcript.

A student on probation may continue enrollment, but is required to meet with a program advisor (first-year/undeclared students are required to meet with an advisor in the Engineering Advising Center) regarding course selection for the following term. Failure to do so may prevent students from enrolling in or attending future terms. Probation is a serious warning that there is a need to improve scholastic performance or further enrollment may be jeopardized.

Enrollment Withheld

A student will have the notation "Enrollment Withheld" placed on his/her transcript and will not be allowed to enroll for classes if: a) on Probation for the third time and each time thereafter; or, b) a deficiency of 10 MHP or more for either the term or the cumulative GPA.

When a student is on Enrollment Withheld, the student must submit a petition in writing to the Scholastic Standing Committee (SSC) requesting reinstatement. The student must arrange to meet with his/her program advisor to discuss the petition (first-year/undeclared students must meet with their advisor in the Engineering Advising Center).  The petition must document the reasons for the unsatisfactory performance, and it needs to offer sufficient and convincing evidence that another opportunity is warranted. If illness has been a factor, students must include supporting information, including a statement (with dates) from their physician. Documentation supporting other contributing factors must also be included.

Reinstatement petitions must be submitted to the Scholastic Standing Committee, 1009 LEC, by the date indicated on the student's academic standing notification letter.  It is recommended that you submit  Reinstatement Petitions electronically to: sscresponse@umich.edu.  Failure to petition the SSC in time and failure to follow the prescribed procedure will result in forfeit of the right to petition for reinstatement for that term and disenrollment from the College. Students returning after time away from the College must submit their reinstatement petitions in accordance with deadlines:

Reinstatement petitions will not be accepted after the deadline.

It is the policy of the College and the SSC not to reinstate students with 128 credit hours solely for the purpose of improving their grade point average or removing an honor point deficiency to meet the 2.0 cumulative grade point average requirement for the baccalaureate (B.S.E. or B.S.) degree requirements.

Reinstated students are not permitted to register for future terms unless they can demonstrate they have met their conditions of reinstatement. Students must wait until grades are posted or complete a progress report, available on the web: http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/scholasticstanding/petitions.html . 

Petitions are reviewed by the SSC. Students may be called in for a meeting with the Committee. Questions, appointments and petition forms are handled by the SSC, 1009 LEC, (734) 647-7115. Consultations and advice about the procedure are also available. All petitions are available online at http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/scholasticstanding/petitions.html. It is recommended that you submit submissions electronically to: sscresponse@umich.edu.

Students who are not reinstated will be placed on suspension and disenrolled.

Mandatory Leaves

Two (2) Enrollment Withheld (EW) notations require a student to take a leave from the College of Engineering for one (1) full term (Fall or Winter)*. A student may also be required to take a mandatory leave with less than two EW notations if they have a very large deficit and/or have issues that need immediate attention.

If a student with two EW's intends to return to the College after the required leave, he/she is required to petition the Scholastic Standing Committee for reinstatement. The deadlines for submitting reinstatement petitions are:

*Students receiving their second EW at the end of the Winter term will not be eligible to enroll in the Spring, Summer, Spring-Summer or Fall terms at the University of Michigan.

C- and D Grades

Credit is allowed for a course in which a grade of "C-" or "D" is earned while enrolled in the College of Engineering. The "D" level of performance is not considered satisfactory for a course that is a pre-requisite for a later-elected course; in this case, the course must be repeated before electing the next course unless waived by the program advisor. A grade of "C-" is not a satisfactory level of performance in some programs. A grade of "D+" and lower is not acceptable in any program for Engineering 100 and Engineering 101. Note: EECS requires a C in Engineering 100 and Engineering 101. It is the student's responsibility to review such performance with the advisor as soon as the grade is known in order to make any changes that may be necessary in elections.

Transfer credit will be granted for courses taken outside the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus, provided a grade of "C" or better is earned. Transfer credit will be granted for courses taken in any academic unit at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus, provided a grade of "C-" or better is earned.

Students should be aware that some programs limit the number of "C-" grades or require that courses completed with a "C-" or lower grade be repeated. Some programs may have a higher minimum grade requirement for some courses. Note that the EECS Department requires a grade of "C" or better in all their core courses.

E Grades

Neither credit nor Michigan Honor Points are granted for a course in which a student earns the grade of "E." A course required by the student's program must be repeated as soon as possible.

Incompletes

When a student is prevented by illness, or by any other cause beyond the student's control, from taking an examination or from completing any part of a course, or if credit in a course is temporarily withheld for good reason, the mark "I" may be reported to indicate the course has not been completed. This mark should be used only when there is a good probability that the student can complete the course with a grade of "D-" or better. The instructor and student should mutually understand the reasons for the "I" mark and agree on methods and timeline for completing the work.

No qualifying grade will be recorded on the student's academic record. The "I" mark will not be used in computing either the term or cumulative grade point averages. Scholastic standing at the end of any term is determined on the basis of work graded as "A+" through "E," or "ED."

The required work may be completed and the grade submitted by the instructor whether or not the student is enrolled. The student should plan to complete the work as soon as possible. To secure credit, the required work must be completed by the end of the first term (not including Spring or Summer terms) in which the student is enrolled after the term in which the "I" mark was recorded. It is the student's responsibility to remind the instructor to submit a supplementary grade report online when the work is completed.  If the final grade is not reported by the last day of exams, the Registrar will automatically change (lapse) the "I" to an "ILE".  Incomplete extensions must be arranged with the instructor.  Forms are available at the Office of Student Records, 1401 LEC.

Any grade changes made to the student record as a result of Incompletes either being completed or lapsed will result in reevaluation of a student's academic record by the Scholastic Standing Committee and may result in changes to their academic standing.

Other Irregularities

Irregularities associated with a failure to submit changes in academic status are identified on the student's transcript by an appropriate designation such as "ED" (unofficial drop) or "NR" (no report). "NR" (NO REPORTS) are automatically converted to "ED" when entered into the Grading System/Wolverine Access. No credit will be granted to a student for work in any course unless the election of that course is entered officially on the proper form. An unofficial drop will be considered the same as an "E" in computing the term and cumulative averages and will affect the scholastic standing.

Repeating Courses

For "C-", "D" and "E" grades, see above. Except as provided for grades "C-" through "D-", a student may not repeat a course he or she has already passed. In exceptional cases, this rule may be waived by the student's program advisor (for first-year students, the Director of the Engineering Advising Center) after consultation with the department of instruction involved. If the rule is waived, the course and grade will appear on the transcript, but no additional credit or Michigan Honor Points (MHPs) will be granted.

A student repeating a course in which a "C-" through "D-" was previously earned will receive MHPs but no additional credit. Both grades are used in computing the grade point average.

Academic Honors and Awards

The Dean's List (College of Engineering)

Students pursuing an undergraduate degree who elect courses and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours with grades (6 for a half Spring or Summer term) and earn a 3.50 GPA term average or better, attain the distinction of the Dean's List for the term.

University Honors (University of Michigan)

Students who earn a minimum of 14 credits in courses which include 12 credits elected on a graded basis (A thru E), and who earn a 3.5 grade point average are eligible for University Honors. This Honor will be awarded each full term of classes (Fall & Winter terms). This distinction is posted on a student's transcript by the Registrar's Office. Students who receive this honor two consecutive terms will be invited to attend the annual Honors Convocation.

James B. Angell Scholars (University of Michigan)

James B. Angell Scholars are students who earn all A+, A, or A- grades for two or more consecutive terms based on a minimum of 14 credits earned in courses which include 12 credits earned on a graded (A-E basis elected each term); all other grades must be P, S, or CR. Terms of fewer than 14 credits completed with grades of A+, A, A-, P, S, or CR enable a student to maintain standing as an Angell Scholar. Any other grades earned during a full or half-term make a student ineligible for this honor. Angell Scholar Honors are posted on a student's transcript by the Office of the Registrar, and recipients of this honor are invited to attend the annual Honors Convocation. Angell Scholars are selected and honored annually.

William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (University of Michigan)

Students in the top five percent of the freshman class are eligible for this honor, administered by the University Registrar's Office, if they have earned at least 14 graded credits at Michigan. A book with an inscribed nameplate is presented to each student. Recipients of this award are invited to attend the annual Honors Convocation.

Marian Sarah Parker Scholars (College of Engineering)

The Marian Sarah Parker Scholars Program is a joint program of the College of Engineering and the U-M Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program. The Marian Sarah Parker Scholars Program invites high-achieving women, by Fall Term of their junior year, to participate in a two-year exploration of graduate school. Participation as a Marian Sarah Parker Scholar leads to a greater understanding of the graduate school process by means of seminars, panel discussions, and an academic research project.

Special Awards (College of Engineering)

The College gives special recognition to students with high scholastic achievement, with records of service to the College and its student organizations, or with evidence of extraordinary potential for leadership. Information on qualification requirements can be obtained in the Office of Student Affairs.

Society Recognition (College of Engineering)

Distinguished scholarship and service to the College are also recognized by election to a number of honor societies that are listed under "Student Activities and Co-Curricular Opportunities".

Recognition on Diploma (College of Engineering)

A student graduating with at least 45 hours of credit completed, with grades, while enrolled in this College will be recommended for a degree(s) with recognition on the diploma if the student qualifies according to the following:

Grade Point Average Distinction

3.20-3.49......... cum laude
3.50-3.74......... magna cum laude
3.75-4.00......... summa cum laude

Grade Grievances Procedure

If there is justification to question the accuracy of an assigned grade, the student should first pursue the matter with the instructor. The responsibility for the assignment of grades is primarily that of the instructor and should be settled between the student and instructor whenever possible. Further pursuit of a grade grievance should be addressed with the instructor's Department Chair. The final appeal at the College level is by petition to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education or the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education.

Student Grievances

The College of Engineering has a grievance procedure to address student complaints. Graduate Students should refer to the following website, available online.

Undergraduate Students should follow these steps until a resolution is achieved:

1. Attempt to resolve the grievance directly with the individual involved (faculty member, staff member, or fellow student).

2. If the matter is unresolved, and the grievance is with a faculty member or teaching assistant, discuss the grievance with the appropriate department chair.

3. If the issue is still unresolved, undergraduate students should see the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education , who is located in the Robert H. Lurie Engineering Center.

4. All students have the right to appeal to the Dean of the College if they feel their grievances have not been resolved satisfactorily by another dean.