This file is legislative history. The version passed by the UO Senate 10 November 2004 is normative.

Proposed Motion US04/05-1 – Incomplete Grade Completion Deadline for Undergraduate Students

 

Sponsored by:   Undergraduate Council

Received:                     October 4, 2004

 

 

The University Council proposes the following change in University policy governing the mark of Incomplete for undergraduates.

 

 

Moved that,

 

  1. Marks of “I” (Incomplete) awarded to undergraduate students Winter term 2005 and beyond must be removed within one calendar year of the end of the term in which the course was taken.  Failure to complete the course by the deadline will result in the mark of “I” automatically changing to a grade of “F” (Failure) or “N” (No Pass).
  2. Marks of “I” for undergraduate students who are graduating must be removed no later than 30 days after the degree is awarded.  Failure to complete the course by the 30-day deadline will result in the mark of “I” automatically changing to a grade of “F” or “N.”
  3. In cases where a student’s inability to complete the work by the deadline is due to extraordinary circumstances* the student may choose to:

 

·       Petition the Scholastic Review Committee to be allowed to withdraw from the class (change the ‘I’ or ‘F’ to a ‘W’ [Withdrew]).

 

·       Contact the Office of Academic Advising or the Office of the Registrar who will review extraordinary circumstances and take appropriate action as defined by the Academic Requirements Committee.

 

 

*examples:  catastrophic injury or illness or severe cognitive or psychological limitations preventing completion of work

 

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Background to the Motion

 

Current Policy: “I” is an instructor-initiated mark.  A mark of “I” may be reported only when the quality of work is satisfactory but a minor though essential requirement of the course has not been completed for reasons acceptable to the instructor.  To remove an incomplete, an undergraduate student must complete the required work within the next four terms of residence at the university or, if absent from campus, no later than three calendar years after the incomplete was awarded, or at such earlier date as the instructor, dean, or department head specifies. The current policy has been in effect since March 1978.

 

A recent survey of AAU institutions indicated that:

 

The proposed policy states a maximum period of time for resolution of “I”s.  It does not alter the authority (under the present policy) of an instructor, dean, or department head to set a shorter period.

 

Approved by the Undergraduate Council – September 29, 2004