The Senate of Michigan Technological University


Amended by 12-71

PROPOSAL 2-69

PASS - FAIL GRADING SYSTEM

 

  1. Purpose. The purpose of the Pass-Fail grading system for undergraduates at Michigan Tech is to encourage above average students to explore areas of study outside of their major field, without the pressure of competition for a letter grade. Under no circumstances is it to serve as a means of by-passing difficult courses in the student's major field.

    It is hoped that superior students will avail themselves of this opportunity to broaden their education by taking courses suggested by their own personal interests or recommended to them as being advantageous to their development
  2. Opportunity. This option is available to Juniors and Seniors with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and to Freshmen and Sophomores with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. It is available to the student only after one term of residence in the University.
  3. Application. The courses available under this option are elective courses exclusive of all courses specifically named by the student's major Department as required for a degree, or otherwise excluded by the Department. Also excluded are the core requirements in the humanities and social science areas.
  4. Approval. Courses will be elected with the approval of the advisor. Generally, normal prerequisites will be required. If the student is deficient in these prerequisites, the advisor would contact the instructor in question and ask his approval for the student's registration in the course.
  5. Credit Limitation. A student will be allowed to take a maximum of one course per quarter to a total of 6 courses.
  6. Time Limitation. The student would have one week after classes commence to change his registration (pass-fail versus letter grade). After that time, no change in registration (pass-fail versus letter grade) would be permitted. Normal drop privileges would still apply, however.
  7. Instructor Notice. With the distribution of the second class list for the term, the instructor would be informed of the students registered in his course under the pass-fail option.
  8. Grading. A "Pass" grade would be given for performance equal to a letter grade of A to C. A "Fail" grade would be given for a letter grade of D or F. If a "Pass" grade is received, the course credits would count toward graduation, but neither the "Pass" nor the "Fail" grade would be counted in calculating the GPA.
  9. Trial Basis. The committee recommends that this Pass-Fail option be established on a trial basis for a specified period of time, say four years.

 


Proposal Adopted by Senate: 22 January 1969
Approved by President: 5 August 1969
See Also 12-71