Questioner: Pali Sen
Posted to: Mark Workman, Provost & Vice President Academic Affairs
Currently the passing rate for a course is calculated based on the number of students who get a C or above out of the total number of students remaining in the class after the add/drop date. The calculation includes the students who have withdrawn from the class within the University approved withdrawal deadlines. Is this practice justified? Students who withdraw appear to be unprepared and why should they be therefore counted at the end of the class? Can a department opt out from the withdrawal option for its classes?
Written Response from Jeff Coker, Dean for the Office of Undergraduate Studies:
From: Coker, Jeffrey W
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 8:48 AM
To: Bush, Melissa; Sen, Pali
Cc: Workman, Mark; Jaffee, Marianne; Kuehner, Megan
Subject: FA Question from Dr. Sen
Good morning,
I am writing on behalf of Provost Workman in response to Dr. Pali Sen’s question from the October 6 Faculty Association meeting. Please include this response in your Q&A section of the Faculty Association website.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.
Regards,
Jeff Coker
Dean, Undergraduate Studies
Response
As such, this should be counted as part of overall course performance. As grading policy is established by the university, departments may not opt out. Also, please note that pass rates are calculated as “D” or above” rather than C or higher.
