Grading Policies
There are two types of grading policies; each is dependent on point in time, before or after Fall 2004.
To view a grading policy, please choose the appropriate division and time frame below.
Special Grading Protocols
Oberlin College made adjustments to grading protocols effective for Spring 2020 and the 2020-2021 academic year due to the COVID19 pandemic. Please review the information below for additional details.
In light of the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic, the Curriculum Committees in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory have approved an amended version of the Spring 2020 grading policy for the 2020-2021 Academic Year.
Normal Academic Standing policies in the College of Arts and Sciences and Conservatory of Music remain in place.
Students should be aware of the academic standing implications of selecting the Pass/No Entry grading option and discuss this with their advisors.
Summary of Important Dates
Fall 2020
- October 9: P/NE Form available
- October 16 at 11:59 p.m. EDT: Deadline to declare P/NE for first module courses.
- December 11 at 11:59 p.m. EST: Deadline to declare P/NE for full semester and second module courses
Spring 2021
- January 25: P/NE Form available
- March 19 at 11:59 p.m. EDT: Deadline to declare P/NE for first module courses.
- May 8 at 11:59 p.m. EDT: Deadline to declare P/NE for full semester and second module courses
Summer 2021
- May 17: P/NE Form available
- July 13 at 11:59 p.m. EDT: Deadline to declare P/NE for first module courses.
- August 28 at 11:59 p.m. EDT: Deadline to declare P/NE for full semester and second module courses
College of Arts and Sciences: Academic Year 2020-2021
Our current Pass/No Entry [P/NE] grading option (replacing P/NP) will remain in place for Academic Year 2020-2021. To receive a Pass, grades must be a C- or above, and may count towards an academic major. No Entry grades will not show on official transcripts, but will remain on unofficial transcripts for purposes of advising.
Letter Grades will remain the default grading system, unless the course was pre- authorized as P/NE.
All courses within the division of Arts & Sciences that were eligible for P/NP are eligible for P/NE.
Students may elect P/NE up to the noted deadline above for first module courses and up to the last day of reading period for full-semester and second module courses. Academic advisor signatures will be required, as has been our standard practice. (Last Spring students had 5 days after receiving final grades to decide if they wanted to switch to P/NE; academic advisor signatures were not required).
We will revert to our standard Emergency or Educational incompletes protocol and will no longer offer “COVID Incompletes” unless another major public health disruption occurs.
Conservatory of Music: Academic Year 2020-2021
Conservatory P/NE Eligible Courses
Students will want to read these guidelines carefully and discuss with their advisors before electing to convert a course from letter-grade to P/NE.
Letter grades remain the default grading system.
Our current Pass/No Entry [P/NE] grading option (replacing P/NP) will remain in place for Academic Year 2020-2021. P/NE will only be available for Conservatory courses currently available as P/NP. For P, grades must be a C- or above. NE grades will not show on official transcripts but will be visible on unofficial transcripts for purposes of advising.
Students may elect P/NE up to the last day of reading period. For first module classes, students may elect P/NE through the noted deadline above. Academic advisor signatures will be required, as has been our standard practice. The Conservatory Deans' Office will review requests for final approval.
For the 2020-21 academic year only, limitations on selecting P/NE will remain lifted for MUTH I-IV, Aural Skills I-IV, and MHST 101. The P/NE option will not be automatically selected, so students who choose to be graded P/NE for these classes must select it by submitting the P/NE form.
Departmental classes within a major that are listed by name on the major grid will retain the grading option required for students in that major.
Principal Private Study (PVST), Faculty-taught secondary lessons (PVST) and ensembles (APST) will continue to be letter-graded.
In any class that is required by name for a major, a NE grade will be considered a failing grade for the purposes of Conservatory Academic Standing. (This includes classes such as MUTH I-IV as well as those within the major department.)
We will revert to our standard Emergency Incompletes and no longer offer “COVID Incompletes.”
Non-course requirements for the semester must be completed by the normal departmental deadlines.
The following is the official language issued by the dean’s office in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The following applies to all Arts and Sciences courses taught Spring 2020
The Educational Plans and Policies Committee (EPPC) met with members of the Student Senate on several occasions to design grading policies for Spring 2020. Following is the policy as passed and a series of Frequently Asked Questions for your information.
Revised Grading Protocol for Spring Semester 2020:
Since the beginning of the second module, the Dean’s Office and EPPC have been evaluating feedback from faculty and students about grading protocols for this semester. The revised grading protocol is guided by several important principles and values:
All grades should maintain our standards for academic integrity and honesty.
Students should at least preserve the grading options available to them, (for example, letter grades) when they enrolled in their courses.
Grading protocols and final work submissions should take into account the challenges for student learning given the range of our students’ remote learning environments.
Grading protocols should not undermine the educational standards of our departmental majors.
In light of these principles and values, and in consultation with Student Senate and the Office of the Registrar, the Dean’s Office and EPPC unanimously approved the following revisions to the grading protocol for Spring Semester, 2020.
Our current Pass/No Pass [P/NP] grading option will be replaced by Pass/No Entry [P/NE] for all regular courses for Spring Semester, 2020. (We will revert to P/NP grading next semester.) To receive a P, grades must be a C- or above, and may count towards an academic major. NE grades will not show on official transcripts, but will remain on unofficial transcripts for purposes of advising.
Letter Grades will remain the default grading system, unless the course was preauthorized as P/NP. Preauthorized P/NP-only courses will automatically become P/NE-only courses.
All regular courses will include the P/NE option. Students who have already elected the P/NP grading option for their courses will automatically have the grading option for those courses converted into P/NE.
Students may elect P/NE for up to 7 days after final grades are released. Students must render decisions by June 5, 2020.
Unlimited “COVID-19” Incompletes will be available to students this semester. Work must be completed within a one month of the end of the exam period. All work must be submitted by June 17, 2020.
All regular accommodations also remain in place, such as emergency incompletes.
Many students and advisors have asked questions about the change in protocols. Following are a set of frequently asked questions.
1. Do all students (graduates and all others) still have the option of choosing P/NE until June 5?
Yes, everyone taking an Arts and Science course has the option to change. Students who receive a D grade may wish to think carefully about conversion to P/NE because, with letter grades, a grade of D is considered passing and that grade will count for overall degree requirements. In P/NE, the lowest passing grade is a C-; D or F grades are not passing, thus will not count toward any requirements. If you need help deciding on your best option, please ask your academic advisor or one of the AARC advisors for help. (You can email aarc@oberlin.edu and we’ll walk you through the options and outcomes.)
Please note that, as explained in the policy section at the end of this document, NE grades will not show on official transcripts, but will remain on unofficial transcripts for purposes of advising.
2. How does a student apply for the P/NE option?
The Academic Advising Resource Center (AARC) will make a form available by May 8th and post it on the Registrar’s website. The student will complete the form and return it to the Registrar’s office at registrar@oberlin.edu. No advisor’s signature is required this semester.
3. I applied to take a course for P/NP earlier this semester. Do I have to change to P/NE?
No, your P/NP will automatically be changed to P/NE.
4. If grades are displayed to students on May 29, as scheduled, then students have a week to look at the grade and make a decision as to whether to stay with their letter grade option or switch to P/NE?
Yes, students may look at their grades and then change their grading option if they chose. However, please see #1 above as it pertains to what is a passing grade.
5. How does a student know if a specific course is needed to graduate?
Consult Degree Works.
6. Can students who choose the letter grade option get grades below C- or do these become NE as well?
Students who choose the letter grade will receive grades from A+ to F; NE will only cover grades of D or F if the student has chosen the P/NE grading option.
7. What exactly is the procedure for getting a COVID incomplete? Do students still have to go through the AARC?
Students may apply for an incomplete up until the start of the final exam period scheduled for their course. The AARC will make a form available to students by May 5; we will ask that the student contact the faculty member to arrange for an incomplete and to discuss work that remains. Once the student and faculty member have discussed the incomplete, the student should fill out the incomplete request noting the remaining work agreement. Students will be asked to sign the honor code. Once the form is completed, the faculty member will receive an email from the AARC informing them of the student’s request and remaining work to be completed. Unless the faculty member has deep concerns, the AARC will assume the incomplete is approved. If the faculty member wishes to raise concerns, one of the AARC advising staff will then become involved.
8. Is all work for all incompletes due on June 17, or just work for COVID incompletes?
All work for all incompletes is due June 17. A student and faculty member may agree on an earlier due date if needed. Work cannot be due after June 17.
9. Will there be extensions granted if a student cannot submit work for an incomplete by June 17?
Of course, if the student has an unexpected emergency (illness, for example) and if the faculty member will support an extension, the AARC will work with the student and faculty member to determine a new deadline. However, since all students are being given two additional weeks to complete work, only true emergencies will be considered.
10. When are grades due from faculty for work submitted for an Incomplete? Can I change my grading option after the grades are submitted?
Final grades for incompletes are due by June 24; if you have not declared the P/NE option, you will see your final grade in Banner Self Service by June 25 and you may then decide to declare the P/NE option by June 30.
11. What hasn’t changed?
Senior grades are still due from the faculty on May 21; all other grades are due May 27. All grades will be displayed in Banner Self Service by May 29.
All the normal procedures and deadlines apply for Incompletes: the student must apply for an incomplete and the application must be received by the Academic Advising Resource Center “before the start time of the scheduled final exam for the course.”
The grading scale for a P grade remains A+ through C-.
12. What if I need help making a decision about grading, requesting an incomplete?
Advising staff in the AARC are available to help you. Email aarc@oberlin.edu or request an appointment through Betsy Beach Mosgo at bbeachmo@oberlin.edu. We want to help in any way we can.
Grading Policy for the College of Arts and Sciences Before Fall 2004
Two grading options are offered: letter grades or credit/no entry (CR/NE). Each semester undergraduate students may choose to have some or all of their courses evaluated credit/no entry. To exercise this option, students must file a card, signed by the advisor, in the Office of the Registrar by the end of the eighth week of semester classes or the end of the fourth week of module classes. (NOTE: this deadline is later than in previous years; it is now coordinated with the deadline for P/NP in the new grading system. See the back cover of the catalog for the entire academic calendar.) Once the deadline has passed, no change in the grading option may be made. This means that students must elect the CR/NE grading option by the deadline. Similarly, CR/NE grading will not be reversed to letter grading after the deadline. If no option card is submitted, letter grades will be recorded. In courses in which the instructor declares credit/no entry grading, the student has no option.
The grades recorded and their equivalents in quality points (used in computing grade-point averages) are as follows:
| A+ | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | W | NE (No Entry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.33 | 4.00 | 3.67 | 3.33 | 3.00 | 2.67 | 2.33 | 2.00 | 1.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
To obtain the quality points earned in a course, the numerical equivalent of the grade is multiplied by the number of hours for which the course was taken. The grade-point average is computed by dividing the total quality points by the total number of hours for which letter grades are recorded.
Credit/No Entry (CR/NE)
All passing work (A+ to C-) is given the uniform grade of CR (Credit). Work below C- is considered not passing, and is given a grade of NE (No Entry).
Withdrawal Grades
A student may withdraw from a class between the end of the Add/Drop period and the last day of the eighth week of classes (last day of the fourth week of classes for modules). If a student withdraws from a class, the notation W (Withdrawn; no indication of passing or failing) will be entered on the student’s transcript. After the end of the eighth week of classes (fourth week for a module course), a letter grade or CR/NE will be awarded. The number of registered hours is not reduced by withdrawing from a course. Thus, students must remain with the maximum hours allowed (16 for the Bachelor of Arts, 17 for the Bachelor of Music and Double Degree Programs) if there is consideration of withdrawing from one course and adding another during the semester.
No Entry
Whether a course is taken for letter grades or credit/no entry, work below the C– level is considered not passing and no entry is made on the student’s permanent record. Thus, if a student does not pass a course, there is no indication on the official transcript that the course was attempted.
Policies regarding Incompletes, Asterisk Grades, and Grade Reports
The following grading policies apply to all students regardless of matriculation term
Incomplete Grades
An incomplete grade is a temporary grade, assigned at the end of a semester, to permit students additional time to complete work in a course. There are two kinds of incompletes:
While at Oberlin a student in the College of Arts and Sciences is allowed up to two incompletes authorized by course instructors for educational reasons, such as a desire by the student to spend additional time on a particular course. A request for such an educational incomplete must be submitted to the Office of the Dean of Studies in advance of the scheduled final exam in that course. Course work must be finished by the end of the first week of Winter Term for first semester incompletes, and by three weeks after the end of the semester for second semester incompletes. Additional educational incompletes beyond the first two may be authorized by the Dean of Studies, but only in very exceptional circumstances.
Emergency incompletes may be authorized by the Dean of Studies due to circumstances beyond the student’s control. Normally such incompletes are for medical or life crisis reasons. The due date for course work will depend on how much time was lost due to the emergency, up to a maximum of three weeks.
The due date for either an educational or emergency incomplete may be extended only for emergency reasons. If work is not completed within the specified time, a grade will be recorded based on the extent to which the course requirements have been met. All requests for incompletes must be made through the Office of the Dean of Studies for courses offered in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Asterisk Grade
An asterisk grade is used at the end of the first semester to indicate that the work of a course covers two semesters and that no grade can be recorded yet. When the final grade is given at the end of the second semester the asterisk is removed and the grade earned is recorded for both semesters.
Grade Reports
Semester grade reports are available to students via the online student record system. Federal law prohibits student grade reports from being sent to parents unless the student signs a form releasing this information. If a student opts to release grades to his or her parents, either the student or the parents must request a copy of the grades each semester from the Office of the Registrar.
Grading Policy for College of Arts and Sciences Students After Fall 2004
Two grading options are offered: letter grades or pass/no pass (P/NP). Each semester undergraduate students may choose to have some or all of their courses evaluated P/NP. From Fall 2004 to Spring 2023, to exercise this option, students must have filed a form, signed by the advisor, in the Office of the Registrar, by the last day of the eighth week of classes or the last day of the fourth week of classes for a module course. Effective Fall 2023, to exercise this option, students must file a form, signed by the advisor, in the Office of the Registrar, two weeks before the last day of classes; for module courses, one week before the end of the module. Once P/NP is declared, it cannot be reversed to another grading option. If no request form is submitted, letter grades will be recorded. In addition to a student opting to take a course P/NP, an instructor may declare an entire course graded on the P/NP basis. In this case, the course will be listed as such in the catalog and the student has no option as to which grade option will be used.
Letter Grades
The grades recorded and their equivalents in quality points (used in computing grade-point averages) are as follows:
| A+ | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D | F | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.33 | 4.00 | 3.67 | 3.33 | 3.00 | 2.67 | 2.33 | 2.00 | 1.67 | 1.00 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
To obtain the quality points earned in a course, the numerical equivalent of the grade is multiplied by the number of hours for which the course was taken. The grade-point average is computed by dividing the total quality points by the total number of hours for which letter grades are recorded.
Pass/No Pass
All passing work (A+ to C-) is given the uniform grade of Pass (P). Work below C- is considered not passing and is given a grade of No Pass (NP). The grades of P and NP do not enter into the GPA calculation. Departments will have the option of deciding how to handle P/NP grades with respect to credit in the major. Please consult the major requirements in this catalog for specific information regarding P/NP grades.
Repeating Courses with a D or F grade
A student may repeat once a course for which a grade of D or F is received. Both grades and both courses count in calculation of the GPA. Only one of the courses counts as credit toward graduation.
Withdrawal Grades
From Fall 2004 to Spring 2023, a student could withdraw from a class between the end of the Add/Drop period and the last day of the eighth week of classes (last day of the fourth week of classes for modules). Effective Fall 2023, a student may withdraw from a class between the end of the Add/Drop period and the last day of the ninth week of classes (last day of the fifth week of classes for modules). If a student withdraws from a class, the notation W (Withdrawn; no indication of passing or failing) will be entered on the student’s transcript. After the end of the ninth week of classes (fifth week for a module course), a letter grade or P/NP will be awarded. The number of registered hours is not reduced by withdrawing from a course. Thus, students must remain with the maximum hours allowed (16 for the Bachelor of Arts and 17 for the Bachelor of Music and Double Degree Programs) if there is consideration of withdrawing from one course and adding another during the semester.
Written Evaluation
Upon request, a student may receive a written evaluation of his or her work taken under the P/NP option. Students desiring such an evaluation should obtain the necessary forms from the Office of the Registrar and give them to the course instructor at the end of the semester or course. At the student’s request, such written evaluations may be sent, along with transcripts, to a graduate or professional school and/or a prospective employer.
Policies Regarding Incompletes, Asterisk Grade, and Grade Reports
The following grading policies apply to all students regardless of matriculation term.
Incomplete Grades
An incomplete grade is a temporary grade, assigned at the end of a semester, to permit students additional time to complete work in a course. There are two kinds of incompletes:
While at Oberlin a student in the College of Arts and Sciences is allowed up to two incompletes authorized by course instructors for educational reasons, such as a desire by the student to spend additional time on a particular course. A request for such an educational incomplete must be submitted to the Academic Advising Resource Center in advance of the scheduled final exam in that course. Course work must be finished by the end of the first week of Winter Term for first semester incompletes, and by three weeks after the end of the semester for second semester incompletes. Additional educational incompletes beyond the first two may be authorized by the Academic Advising Resource Center, but only in very exceptional circumstances.
Emergency incompletes may be authorized by the Academic Advising Resource Center due to circumstances beyond the student’s control. Normally such incompletes are for medical or life crisis reasons. The due date for course work will depend on how much time was lost due to the emergency, up to a maximum of three weeks.
The due date for either an educational or emergency incomplete may be extended only for emergency reasons. If work is not completed within the specified time, a grade will be recorded based on the extent to which the course requirements have been met. All requests for incompletes must be made through the Academic Advising Resource Center for courses offered in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Asterisk Grade
An asterisk grade is used at the end of the first semester to indicate that the work of a course covers two semesters and that no grade can be recorded yet. When the final grade is given at the end of the second semester the asterisk is removed and the grade earned is recorded for both semesters.
Grade Reports
Semester grade reports are available to students via the online student record system. Federal law prohibits student grade reports from being sent to parents unless the student signs a form releasing this information. If a student opts to release grades to his or her parents, either the student or the parents must request a copy of the grades each semester from the Office of the Registrar.
Grading Policy for the Conservatory of Music Before Fall 2004
Two grading options are offered: letter grades or credit/no entry. Subject to limitations stated below, a student may choose which grading option he or she wishes to have apply for one or more courses.
Letter Grades
The grades recorded and their equivalents in quality points (used in computing grade-point averages) are listed here:
| A+ | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | W | NE (No Entry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.33 | 4.00 | 3.67 | 3.33 | 3.00 | 2.67 | 2.33 | 2.00 | 1.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Quality Points
To obtain the quality points earned in a course, multiply the numerical equivalent of the grade by the number of hours for which the course was taken.
Grade Point Average
This is computed by dividing the total quality points by the total number of hours for which letter grades are recorded.
Credit/No Entry (CR/NE)
To exercise the credit/no entry option, students must file a card, signed by the principal adviser, in the Office of the Registrar, by the last day of the eighth week of classes for semester-long courses, or by the last day of the fourth week of classes for a module course. Once the deadline has passed no change in the grading option may be made.
All passing work (work otherwise graded A+ to C–) is given the uniform grade CR (Credit). Work below C– is considered not passing, and is given a grade of NE (No Entry). A student electing a course for Credit/No Entry may not later request a grade equivalent.
Limitations on Grading Options
- Conservatory majors must register for the following courses for letter grade only: Introduction to Music Theory, Music Theory I-IV, Introduction to Aural Skills, Aural Skills I-IV, Introduction to the History and Literature of Music, and any class taken to satisfy a requirement in secondary applied study.
- Students required to take Aural Skills V must register for letter grade only
- All faculty-taught private applied study (including composition) is offered for letter grades only
- Voice lessons with supervised student teachers are offered for credit/no entry grading only. All other secondary private study with supervised student teachers may be taken for letter grades or credit/no entry
- Small ensembles are offered for Pass/No Pass only at the discretion of the individual coach
- Oberlin Orchestra, Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, Oberlin Wind Ensemble, and Contemporary Music Ensemble are offered for letter grades only
No Entry
Whether a course is taken for a letter grade or credit/no entry, work below a C– level is considered not passing, and no entry is made on the student’s permanent record. Thus, if a student does not pass a course, there is no indication on the official transcript that the course had been attempted.
Incomplete Grades
Students may request an incomplete grade when illness, personal emergency, or family emergency prevents the satisfactory completion of coursework. Unless otherwise specified, the outstanding work must be completed within three weeks of the end of the semester. Regardless of the division in which a student is enrolled, incompletes in Conservatory courses are granted by the relevant faculty member and approved by the associate dean for student academic affairs.
A conservatory student may be authorized for no more than two incompletes for educational reasons in arts and sciences courses.
No incomplete grades will be given in private study or ensemble participation.
Asterisk Grades
An asterisk grade given at the end of the first semester indicates that coursework continues over two semesters; no grade can be recorded until the course is completed. The asterisk is removed when the final grade is given at the end of the second semester, and the earned grade is recorded for both semesters.
Grade Reports
Semester grade reports are available to students via the online student record system (PRESTO). Students who require paper copies of grade reports may arrange with the Office of the Registrar to obtain them. Federal law prohibits student grade reports from being sent to parents unless the student signs a form releasing this information. If a student opts to release grades to his or her parents, either the student or the parents must request a copy of the grades each semester from the Office of the Registrar.
Committee Exams
A copy of the faculty evaluations of a student’s departmental hearing and committee exam each semester is made available to him or her within a few days of the committee performance.
Auditing
Students may audit courses with a lecture or modified lecture format, with the consent of the instructor. Auditing is not permitted in courses that emphasize student participation and skill development (e.g., private applied or composition instruction, ensembles, aural skills courses).
Grading Policy for the Conservatory of Music After Fall 2004
Two grading options are offered: letter grades or pass/no pass. Individual choice of grading options is subject to the limitations listed below.
Letter Grades
The grades recorded and their equivalents in quality points (used in computing grade-point averages) are listed here:
| A+ | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D | F | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.33 | 4.00 | 3.67 | 3.33 | 3.00 | 2.67 | 2.33 | 2.00 | 1.67 | 1.00 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Quality Points
To obtain the quality points earned in a course, multiply the numerical equivalent of the grade by the number of hours for which the course was taken.
Grade Point Average
This is computed by dividing the total quality points by the total number of hours for which letter grades are recorded.
Pass/No Pass
To exercise the Pass/No Pass option, students must submit a request form, signed by the principal adviser, in the Office of the Registrar, by the last day of the eighth week of classes for semester-long courses, or by the last day of the fourth week of classes for a module course. Once the deadline has passed no change in the grading option may be made. Similarly, once P/NP is declared, it cannot be reversed to another grading option.
All passing work (work otherwise graded A+ to C–) is given the uniform grade P (Pass). Work below C– is considered not passing and is given a grade of NP (No Pass). Individual departments determine if a course taken P/NP will satisfy the requirements of the major. A student electing a course for Pass/No Pass may not later request a grade equivalent.
Limitations on Grading Options
- Conservatory majors must register for the following courses for letter grade only: Introduction to Music Theory, Music Theory I-IV, Introduction to Aural Skills, Aural Skills I-IV, Introduction to the History and Literature of Music, and any class taken to satisfy a requirement in secondary applied study
- Students required to take Aural Skills V must register for letter grade only
- All faculty-taught private applied study (including composition) is offered for letter grades only
- Voice lessons with supervised student teachers are offered for pass/no pass grading only. All other secondary private study with supervised student teachers may be taken for letter grades or pass/no pass
- Small ensembles are offered for pass/no pass only at the discretion of the individual coach
- Oberlin Orchestra, Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, Oberlin Wind Ensemble, and Contemporary Music Ensemble are offered for letter grades only
Written Evaluation
Upon request, a student may receive a written evaluation of his or her work taken under the P/NP option. Request forms are available from the Office of the Registrar.
Repeating Courses with a D or F
A student may repeat once a course in which he or she has earned a grade of D or F. Both grades and both courses will be calculated in the GPA; only one of the courses will count toward graduation requirements.
Withdrawal Grades
From Fall 2004 to Spring 2023, a student could withdraw from a class between the end of the Add/Drop period and the last day of the eighth week of classes (last day of the fourth week of classes for modules). Effective Fall 2023, a student may withdraw from a class between the end of the Add/Drop period and the last day of the ninth week of classes (last day of the fifth week of classes for modules). The notation “W” (Withdrawn; no indication of passing or failing) will be entered on the student’s transcript. After the end of the ninth week of classes (fifth week for module course), a letter grade or P/NP will be awarded if a withdrawal has not been processed.
Incomplete Grades
Students may request an incomplete grade when illness, personal emergency, or family emergency prevents the satisfactory completion of coursework. Unless otherwise specified, the outstanding work must be completed within three weeks of the end of the semester.
Regardless of the division in which a student is enrolled, incompletes in conservatory courses are granted by the relevant faculty member and approved by the associate dean for advising and retention.
A conservatory student may be authorized for no more than two incompletes for educational reasons in arts and sciences courses.
No incomplete grades will be given in private study or ensemble participation.
Asterisk Grades
An asterisk grade given at the end of the first semester indicates that coursework continues over two semesters; no grade can be recorded until the course is completed. The asterisk is removed when the final grade is given at the end of the second semester, and the earned grade is recorded for both semesters.
Grade Reports
Semester grade reports are available to students via the online student record system (PRESTO). Students who require paper copies of grade reports may arrange with the Office of the Registrar to obtain them. Federal law prohibits student grade reports from being sent to parents unless the student signs a form releasing this information. If a student opts to release grades to his or her parents, either the student or the parents must request a copy of the grades each semester from the Office of the Registrar.
Committee Exams
A copy of the faculty evaluations of a student’s departmental hearing and committee exam each semester is made available to him or her within a few days of the committee performance.
Auditing students may audit courses with a lecture or modified lecture format, with the consent of the instructor. Auditing is not permitted in courses that emphasize student participation and skill development (e.g., private applied or composition instruction, ensembles, aural skills courses).
Each semester, Oberlin faculty submit midterm grades to the Office of the Registrar to report on the progress of students who are taking their courses.
Faculty have several options for reporting midterm grades:
- S — Satisfactory; the student is working at a level appropriate to the current stage of the course
- R — Risk of failure; the student is at borderline performance
- U — Unsatisfactory performance, the student has a likelihood of failure unless there is a significant improvement; not working at appropriate level, skipping classes or not submitting work on time
- N — Not in attendance; the student has never joined the course in person or has informally withdrawn
Faculty post midterm grades by the end of the day on Tuesday following both fall and spring breaks. Students may view midterm grades two days later on Thursday following fall and spring breaks.
We encourage students to discuss midterm grades of R, U, and N with the faculty member(s) who awarded them, as well as with the student’s advisor.