STUDENTS » Student Policies

Grade Policies

All our grade policies are indicated here:

GRADES, GRADE POINTS, AND GRADE-POINT AVERAGE

The standing of students in each course will be determined by class work and examinations. Grades will be reported and grade points allowed as follow:

A - Excellent 4 grade points per unit
B - Good 3 grade points per unit
C - Satisfactory  2 grade points per unit
D - Passing, Less than satisfactory 1 grade point per unit
F - Failing  0 grade points (cannot be removed by examination
P - Pass (Pass indicates a “C” grade or better—units, not counted in GPA)
NP- No Pass (No Pass indicates lower than a “C” grade—units not awarded in GPA but included in computation of progress probation)

IMPORTANT

 Students will not be allowed to request a letter grade after the dates listed on the Session Dates and Deadlines (ADD/DROP/WITHDRAWALS/PASS – NO PASS) page (the pass/no pass petition date); nor to request a letter grade for previously completed courses in which they earned a Pass “P.”

Grade-Point Average (GPA) The GPA is computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the GPA units. A “W’’ notation does not enter into computation of the GPA. Also, such computations do not include the unit value of courses for which “P or “NP’’ are recorded or for courses completed under the regulations established for credit by examination. If a course is repeated for the purpose of improving previous substandard work, the units attempted and grade points earned are counted according to the course repetition policy. An “I’’ made up carries the grade points per unit appropriate to the grade given on makeup.

Non-Evaluative Symbols Units for which the following grading symbols have been assigned will not be counted in the computation of the GPA.

I - Incomplete (Included in the computation of progress probation)

An incomplete grade, “I”, may be assigned for academic work not completed for unforeseeable emergencies and/ or justify able reasons at the end of the term. The instructor must complete the Contract for Award of Incomplete Grade including conditions for removal of the “I” and the grade to be assigned in lieu of the “I”.

The instructor will generate this contract when final grades are entered online. The student will have until the end of the following year to complete the work as noted in the contract. This information will be sent to the student from the Admissions and Records office. A final grade shall be assigned when the work stipulated in the Contract has been completed and evaluated or when the time limit for completing the work has passed. Incomplete grades cannot be awarded after the submission of the class grades. There are no extensions to the Contract, and students cannot register in the course to complete the Incomplete. The course cannot be retaken until the Incomplete is resolved.

W - Withdrawn (Included in computation of progress probation) A withdrawal or drop from class during weeks one and five of the fall and spring semesters will not appear on a student’s permanent record. A student who withdraws from class during week six through the drop deadline of the fall and spring semesters will receive a “W” grade. The record of enrollment will appear on the student’s permanent record. Short-term and summer classes will have different drop deadlines than semester-length classes.

EW - Excused Withdrawal - Withdrawal from a course(s) due to specific events beyond the control of the student affecting his or her ability to complete a course(s).

An excused withdrawal grade, “EW”, occurs when a student must withdraw from an academic course for reasons beyond his or her control after the specified drop date, such as job transfer outside the geographical region, student’s being subject to an immigration action, death of an immediate family member, etc.. Excused Withdrawal shall not be counted in progress probation or dismissal calculations, nor shall it be counted towards the permitted number of withdrawals, or counted as an enrollment attempt. An EW may be requested by the student at any time during the semester, but no later than the last date allowable by the district for a grade change.

MW - Military Withdrawal - A military withdrawal grade, “MW,” occurs when a student who is a member of an active or reserve United States Military Service receives orders compelling a withdrawal from courses. Upon verification of such orders, a student can petition to withdraw from classes and when authorized, the student will be withdrawn with a “MW” military withdrawal designation on the student’s transcripts. A “MW” will not be used in calculating a grade point average or for progress probation.

IP - In Progress - An in-progress grade, “IP,” shall be used to denote that the class extends beyond the normal end of an academic term. It indicates that work is in progress but that assignment of a substantive grade must await completion of the course. The “IP” symbol shall remain on the student’s permanent record in order to satisfy enrollment documentation. The appropriate evaluative grade and unit of credit shall be assigned and appear on the student’s record for the term in which the course is completed. The “IP” will not be used in calculating grade-point average.

RD - Report Delayed - The report delayed grade, “RD,” may be assigned by the registrar only. It is to be used when there is a delay in reporting the grade of a student due to circumstances beyond the control of the student. It is a temporary notation to be replaced by a permanent symbol as soon as possible. The “RD” will not be used in calculating grade-point averages.

WITHDRAWAL/COURSE DROP POLICY

Once enrolled in courses, students are not considered dropped or withdrawn unless:

  • They have dropped the course Online via MyGCC or
  • The instructor has dropped the student due to nonparticipation in the class.
  • They have dropped the course with an Add/Drop form in person at the Admissions & Records office.

A grade of EW or W will not be made on the permanent academic record of a student who drops or is dropped from the course or from college.

During the first 20% of a course. Refer to the Session Dates and Deadlines (ADD/DROP/WITHDRAWALS/PASS - NO PASS) for specific deadlines.

Students who drop or are dropped from semester length courses after the second week and prior to the end of the 12th week will receive grades of EW or W on their permanent academic records.

Short term classes adhere to a pro rata schedule for deadlines.

A student must drop a course during the period stated to not receive a withdrawal notation (W). There are no extenuating circumstances to remove a “W” from a student record. If circumstances occur after the final drop date to receive a “EW”, the student may petition. Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accident, illness or other circumstances beyond the control of the student. Such withdrawals or drops shall be recorded as a “EW”.

Students not dropped or withdrawn from courses during the periods and circumstances described above will not be eligible for a notation of “W” and must be assigned a letter grade in the “A” through “F” category, or “P/NP” in those courses so designated.

According to California Education Code, Title 5, Section 55024, the number of times that a student may withdraw from a class is limited. See your counselor for procedures and policies