University of Wisconsin Stout | Wisconsin's Polytechnic University

Standard Grading Scale

Faculty members are responsible for providing a grade (based upon the officially approved grading symbols) for every student enrolled in their classes at the end of the term of enrollment. The following grade categories may be assigned by faculty members responsible for instruction in the course: 

The grading scale below will be modified beginning Fall 2013.  WS grades will become a grade of W.  Students who completely withdrawal from a term will receive a WD grade for each course.

Final Grading Deadlines

According to policy, all final grades for classes are due 3 business days from the course end date in the SIS system. For further information about upcoming deadlines please refer to the Registrations and Records Calendar.

Grade Point Averages

Cumulative grade point averages are determined by the "grade point system"; they are computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits attempted.

Grade Reports

A Final Grade Report is different than an official and unofficial transcript. A final grade report is a reflection of one terms grades and may be requested at the end of each term by filling out a Final Grade Report Request form. However, if your full academic history at UW-Stout is desired then you will want to request an unofficial or official transcript.

Grade reports are issued from the Registration and Records Office and are available no less than five working days after the end of the semester. Grade reports must be requested in writing or by filling out an online request form. Reports are mailed to the students at the address they have listed as their "home" address. It is a condition of registration that the student keep this address, as well as their local Menomonie address, current and correct. Grade reports are not mailed outside of the United States. International students may designate their Menomonie address as "home" for receiving their grades or pick them up in the Registration and Records Office.

I - Incomplete

Assignment of an Incomplete "I" grade requires a written agreement between the instructor and student specifying the time and manner in which the student will complete the course requirements

Incompletes should be requested or granted for extenuating circumstances that are:

• Beyond the student's control and/or
• Could not have been anticipated early enough in the semester to warrant a withdrawal

Examples of acceptable reasons to request/grant an incomplete:   

• Significant and unexpected illness of self or close family member
• Death in the family
• Called to active duty in the military

Incompletes should not be requested or granted for:

• Personal convenience
• Student attended only a few or no class sessions
• Student is busy with requirements for other courses
• Student believes they can get a better grade with additional time

ESTABLISHING DEADLINES FOR COMPLETION

• It is the course Instructor's right and responsibility to determine deadlines for completion of all work listed on the contract
• The University allows up to one year for completion of the Incomplete. The Instructor may specify any time limit from one day to one year. Exception: students called to active military duty are allowed up to one calendar year following their discharge from active duty to complete their incomplete grade. An "I" must be removed by the student up to one year from the date the "I" is received. However, on the Incomplete Form the Instructor can assign a due date prior to one year. When a final grade is assigned by the Instructor, it replaces the "I" and a notation appears on the transcript. If the Incomplete is not removed within the time limit, the "I" becomes an "F" on the student's transcript. If extenuating circumstances warrant it at the time of expiration, an additional extension of up to one year can be requested by the student. If the Instructor approves the request, a Change of Grade form is used to facilitate the extension. A one year limit will be assigned unless noted otherwise. The Department Chair approval is required for this time extension.
• If the student does not meet the Instructor's requirements for completing the course by the established time limit, the Instructor may issue a grade based on the coursework already completed. Instructors are under no obligation to grant additional time, or to serve as Instructor beyond the specified date. If the student does not complete the course by the deadline, the student will be required to pay tuition if the course is retaken.
• Important note: In order to complete "I" grade, students are not allowed to "sit in" on future offerings of the same course number without registering. If the student cannot complete the contract work without attending further classes, the student will receive the grade earned and may re-register for the course.

PROCEDURE

• The student must contact the Instructor before the last day of class
• If the Instructor deems that circumstances warrant "I", the Instructor and student will discuss specific guidelines, conditions, and/or time limits for course completion, and the consequences of failure to complete outstanding coursework.
• This understanding will e documented through the use of the "Agreement for Completion of Incomplete Grades Form"
• The student and Instructor should each retain a signed copy, a third copy should be retained in the department office, and the original copy forwarded to Registration and Records 

IP - In Progress

A grade of "IP" is given for approved courses in which more than one term is required for completion because of the nature of course requirement. An "IP" may be given for graduate research papers, thesis, independent study, field experience, internship, co-op and other courses for which this alternative has been approved through the Curriculum and Instruction Committee approval process.

If the course requirements for an undergraduate course are not completed within two years from the term the "IP" is received, the student must re-register for the course to obtain credit for it. During this process an "IP" remains on the transcript. When a final grade is assigned by the instructor, it replaces the "IP" and a notation appears on the transcript.

If the course requirements for the graduate research paper course are not completed within 1 year from the term the "IP" is received, the student must re-register for the course to obtain credit for it.  Should that occur, the "IP" for the initial registration will remain on the transcript; a final letter grade will only be assigned for the active registration. (Effective beginning with Fall, 2012 research paper registration.) 

If extenuating circumstances warrant it at the time of expiration, an additional extension of up to one year can be requested by the student. If the instructor approves the request, a Change of Grade form is used to facilitate the extension. A one year limit will be assigned unless noted otherwise. The Department Chair approval is required for this time extension. Records of "IP" grades are kept in the department offering the course.

Auditing Classes and Credit/No Credit Grading Option

For information regarding these optional grading scales: [Auditing Classes and Credit No-Credit Option]

Academic Forgiveness Policy

Academic forgiveness means that grades earned during a prior enrollment period at the University of Wisconsin-Stout will not be used in the computation of a student's undergraduate cumulative grade point average. However, such grades will continue to appear on the student's official transcript. A returning student is eligible for academic forgiveness when all the following criteria are met:

1. At least five continuous years have elapsed since the last term of enrollment at UW-Stout or any other institution of higher learning. (Exception: Courses that must be completed as a precondition for re-entry.)

2. The student has not earned a baccalaureate degree.

3. The cumulative grade point average earned at UW-Stout was below 2.0 at the time of re-entry.

The program director should help a student who meets the criteria determine whether repeating course work or seeking academic forgiveness is the better alternative. The student's request for academic forgiveness must be approved by the student's program director, the dean of the college, and the associate vice chancellor. The approved request will be forwarded to the registrar who will record academic forgiveness on the transcript. All courses with a credit worthy grade (i.e., those with grades of "O," "S," "CR," and "D-" or better),completed five or more years before re-entry, may be used to satisfy degree requirements when academic forgiveness is granted. These grades are not included in the student's cumulative grade point average. However, program requirements must be followed when a minimum course grade is specified. The student's new cumulative grade point average will be based only on the grade points earned after re-entry to UW-Stout. A student may be granted academic forgiveness only once. 

Grade Changes

Students who feel they have received an incorrectly recorded grade should check with the Registration and Records Office immediately upon receiving their grade report.

Students who question the validity of a grade they have received should contact the instructor directly or file a written request for a grade change with the department chair. The department chair will try to contact the instructor who then decides whether to make a change of grade. If it is determined that a mark should be corrected, it is the responsibility of the instructor to initiate that action. If the department chair is unable to contact the instructor, the department chair will make the decision based on grade sheets left by the instructor. A grade correction form must be submitted to the Registration and Records Office, and should carry signatures of both the instructor of record and the department chair. Questions as to the validity of a grade must be received within one year of the ending date of the semester or term in which the grade is recorded.

Awards and Honors

Three different honors recognize student academic achievement at UW-Stout:

Chancellor's Award

The Chancellor's Award is presented after each semester for outstanding scholastic achievement to undergraduate students at UW-Stout who complete a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits with a 3.5 or higher grade point average. Students receive a certificate noting the achievement. A special Four Star Recognition award will be given to students who attain a straight "A" average with a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits for the semester

The Chancellor's Award is maintained and mailed by the Chancellor's Office. For more information, mailing dates, confirmation of award status, and other general information about the award, contact the Chancellor's Office at (715) 232-2441.

For information regarding grade point averages or award eligibility, contact Registration and Records at (715) 232-2121.

Samuel E. Wood Medallion Award

The Samuel E. Wood Medallion Award, a bronze medallion three inches in diameter and bearing a relief of the Bowman Hall tower, the name of Stout, and the motto "Learning, Skill, Industry and Honor", is presented annually to seniors who have contributed in student activities, leadership, and scholastic ability.  A committee composed of faculty, administrators and students makes the selection. Only 1 percent of the student body is eligible to receive this award. The Samuel E. Wood Medallion Award is presented to seniors only, and on a local basis. To those seniors who receive it, it brings prestige and honor, as it is the highest award any student at UW-Stout can achieve.

Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities

A committee composed of faculty, administrators and students serves as a selection body. A point system is used in making selections. Juniors and seniors who meet the minimum grade point average of 2.7 are given various points depending upon their contributions in such areas as academic and extracurricular activities, scholarship, citizenship, and leadership. Each year a select number of juniors and seniors are awarded the national Who's Who Award. Those who have been selected to receive this award are given recognition for their scholastic achievement and potential.