Grades

Grade Reports and Transcripts

Students must obtain their previous term's grade report on the Student Web Access Reports page . Grades can be seen on the web advisor as they are put in by the Admissions Technician. If you need assistance in accessing your Web Advisor account contact the Helpdesk at (530) 895-2925. Unofficial transcripts must be obtained in person at the Admissions & Records Office on the main campus or at the Chico or Glenn County Centers. Transcripts are released and forwarded by the Office of Admissions and Records only upon written request by the student. Transcripts to educational institutions are sent directly to the institution. Transcripts may be mailed directly to students. Up to two copies shall be furnished free of charge. The College charges a fee for each subsequent copy.

Withholding Grades, Transcripts, Certificates, and Diplomas

Any student who has a financial obligation to the College shall have their grades, transcripts, certificate or diploma withheld, and their enrollment into subsequent terms restricted. These documents and restrictions are released from the prescribed restrictions when the Office of Admissions and Records verifies that the financial obligation is no longer outstanding. Students and former students who are in default on a Federal Family Education Loan shall not be permitted to receive grades, transcripts, or diplomas, nor have copies of their grades transferred to another institution upon request. These students are permitted to register for enrollment into courses.

Grade Definitions

Letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F are used to determine the student's Grade Point Average (GPA), while grades such as CR, NC, I, W, IP, and RD have no effect on GPA.

Letter Grades

The following letter grades may be used to measure student effort:

Symbol	Grade Point Value	Definition
A	4	Excellent
B	3	Good
C	2	Satisfactory
D	1	Passing, not satisfactory
F	0	Failing

CR (Credit)

To obtain this grade, the course must be passed at least at the satisfactory level (C or better). Units graded with the "CR" symbol are awarded, but are not included in determining GPA. The CR/NC grading option is available for most courses. However, certain courses are designated as being graded CR/NC only, or as graded only (A, B, C, D, and F). For a course where no option is available, it is noted in the Catalog description of the course. Students may count a maximum of 8 units of courses where optional grades of CR are awarded toward the Associate Degree, and are limited to a maximum of 6 units optionally graded with CR toward any Certificate of Achievement program. Students wishing to take a course on a CR/NC basis may do so by completing the appropriate CR/NC form. This form must be received in the Office of Admissions and Records prior to the last day of the fifth week of instruction or before 30 percent of an irregular term course has passed.

NC (No Credit)

To obtain this grade, coursework is less than satisfactory, or failing. Units graded with the "NC" symbol are not included in determining GPA. This grade is used in determining progress probation and dismissal.

I (Incomplete)

Incomplete academic work for an unforeseeable emergency and justifiable reason at the end of the term may result in an "I" symbol being entered in a student's record. The condition for removal of the I and the grade to be assigned in lieu of its removal is stated by the instructor on the "Incomplete Grade Report," signed by the student, and submitted by the instructor at the end of each term. The original of the "Incomplete Grade Report" is filed in the Office of Admissions and Records and a copy given to the student by the instructor. A final grade is assigned when the work stipulated has been completed and evaluated, or when the time limit for completing the work has passed. The I may be made up no later than one year following the end of the term in which it was assigned. A student may petition the Academic Council for an extension of time due to unusual circumstances. Units graded with the I symbol are not included in determining the GPA. This grade is used in determining probation and dismissal.

W (Withdrawal)

The "W" symbol is used to denote withdrawal from a course through the last day of the eighth week of instruction or before 50 percent of an irregular term course has passed. Students who do not withdraw prior to the deadline must be awarded a grade other than W. No notation is made on the academic record of a student who withdraws during the first four weeks of instruction of a semester, or during the first 25 percent of an irregular term course. The W grade is not used in calculating grade point average. It is used in determining progress probation and dismissal. Under certain extenuating circumstances, a petitioning process is available to provide for withdrawal with a W after the deadline.

IP (In Progress)

The "IP" symbol is used only for those courses which extend beyond the normal end of the academic term. It indicates that work is "in progress," but that assignment of a substantive grade must await its completion. The appropriate evaluative grade and unit credit is assigned and appears on the student's record for the term in which the course is completed. The IP grade is not used in calculating grade point average nor in determining progress probation and dismissal.

RD (Report Delayed)

The "RD" symbol may be assigned only by the Office of Admissions and Records. It is to be used when there is a delay in reporting the grade of a student due to circumstances beyond the student's control. It is a temporary notation, to be replaced by a permanent symbol as soon as possible. RD is not used in calculating grade point average nor in determining probation and dismissal.

Credit/No Credit Options

Credit courses (all those excluding the ones numbered in the 300's and 400's) are graded in one or more ways. Some are graded Credit/No Credit Only, and are so stated in the course description. For such courses, unless an I, RD, W, or IP is assigned, the only possible grades are CR or N/C. Some courses are Graded Only, and are so stated in the course description. For such courses, unless an I, RD, W, or IP is assigned, the only possible grades are A, B, C, D, or F. Most courses are graded optional, that is, the student may opt for a CR or NC rather than for A, B, C, D, or F.

If the course description in this catalog does not state Credit/No Credit Only, or Graded Only, then the course is optionally graded. This option, however, is subject to the following limitations:

For each course, an Election for Optional Credit/No Credit form must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records prior to the last day of the fifth week of instruction, or during the first 30 percent of an irregular term course.
Once submitted, the option is irrevocable. Hence, unless an I, RD, W, or IP is assigned, the grade awarded is CR if the student achieves an evaluative grade of A, B, or C. Similarly, if the student achieves an evaluative grade of D or F, only an NC grade symbol is awarded.
A maximum of 8 units optionally graded with the CR symbol may apply toward an Associate Degree.
A maximum of 6 units optionally graded with the CR symbol may apply toward a Certificate of Achievement.
Since the election for CR/NC, once submitted, is irrevocable, no option exists to convert a CR grade symbol to an A, B, or C, nor an NC grade symbol to D or F.

Waivers of these provisions are not permissible. Student should make any Credit/No Credit Option elections with due consideration.

Challenges to Grades

To conform to the provision of Section 55760(a) of the California Administrative Code, Title 5, the determination of the student's grade by the instructor shall be final in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence. All changes or modifications to a student record must be requested no later than three years from the semester in question.

The procedures for challenging a final grade are as follows:

The instructor must be consulted to determine if the appropriate grade(s) were issued.
Students who wish to appeal the decision of the instructor must seek resolution with the appropriate dean within 15 school days after meeting with the instructor. The appeal to the dean must be in writing. In the appeal, the student should:
a. Identify the term, control number, course name, course number, and instructor.
b. State the action requested; i.e., change a grade of C to an A, change an I to a grade of C.
c. Provide the reason(s) why they believe this request should be approved.
The dean has 15 school days from receipt of the request to provide a written response.
Final appeal rests with the Vice President for Education and Student Programs and Services. The Vice President has 15 school days from receipt of the appeal to respond in writing. The Vice President's decision is final.

Scholastic Honors

Each semester Butte College recognizes students who have demonstrated a high level of academic performance. Students who have completed 15 units of courses numbered 1 through 199 graded with evaluative symbols (those applicable to GPA computation), including no more than one physical education activity course, and who have an academic status in Good Standing, may be recognized by having their names placed on the Honors List, either on the Roll of Academic Distinction or the Roll of Academic Excellence. Students who consistently excel may Graduate With Honors.
Academic Distinction: Student has a GPA between 3.75 and 4.0.
Academic Excellence: Student has a GPA which is at least 3.50 but less than 3.75.
Graduation with Honors: A graduating student who has a cumulative grade point average of 3.40 or above in all college work. A notation is made on the student's permanent record that they have been awarded this distinction.

Student Effort

It is generally recognized that to adequately learn the material presented in one hour of lecture, the student should study approximately two hours outside of class. The faculty of Butte College expect this of their students. Therefore, being a full-time student is an honorable profession and requires as much work as full-time employment.