Grades
The William Paterson University grading system is as follows:
- A, A- Excellent
- B+, B, B- Good
- C+, C, C- Satisfactory
- D+, D Minimally passing
- F Failing
- FN Student stopped attending class, did not return, did not officially withdraw and still appears of the official grade list.
- P Passed course, taken on a pass/fail basis (equivalent to A-D)
- IN Incomplete
- N Unacceptable, must repeat (Writing Effective Prose, Pioneer First Year Student Success Seminar and Language 1100)
- M Missing, no grade submitted(Registrar disignation)
- WD Withdrawn officially
- AU Audit
Grade Point Values
- A 4.0
- A- 3.7
- B+ 3.3
- B 3.0
- B- 2.7
- C+ 2.3
- C 2.0
- C- 1.7
- D+ 1.3
- D 1.0
- F 0
Using Quality Points and Quality hours as they appear on the grade report/transcript:
Qpts/Qhrs = GPA (Example 46 Qpts/16 Qhrs = 2.87)
Grade Regulations
A report of the student’s grades is entered on the official record and is altered only upon the initiation of the instructor and the approval of the department chairperson and the appropriate dean, except under extraordinary circumstances. In some cases, the privilege of re-examination is permitted.
Grade Expungement
Former William Paterson students who left the University for academic reasons and subsequently successfully completed two semesters or twenty-four credits at an accredited institution of higher learning with a GPA of at least 2.00, or who have graduated from a county or community college or other accredited two year institution (or four year institution if seeking a second degree) will be considered as new applicants and their prior William Paterson grade point average will be excluded from cumulative GPA calculations if they are readmitted.
Honors College
The University Honors College at William Paterson University offers academically gifted students the space to explore new ideas and engage in intellectual and creative collaborations with experienced and dedicated members of the faculty. It offers a rigorous curriculum with a challenging array of courses, seminars, and co-curricular activities.
The University Honors College is a community that includes all students enrolled in Honors University Core Curriculum classes, all students participating in a track, all faculty members teaching in Honors, all faculty members overseeing a thesis, and all members of the University Honors College staff.
Dr. Barbara Andrew, Director
973.720.3658 andrewb@wpunj.edu
Jan Pinkston, Assistant Director
973.720.3766 pinkstonj@wpunj.edu
Mission
The University Honors College provides students with many opportunities to receive personalized attention from members of the faculty, in small clases that encourage discussion and debate, in independent tutorials where advanced students work privately with professors in their major area on a thesis or project of their own creation, in the residence living communities that will be visited regularly by professors and staffmembers, and in social activities that bring together the Honors community.
Honors College Tracks
Track Directors run indicidual gtracks and mentor many of the Honors students. The Track Directors help determine the College’s curricular requirements and oversee its mission. Track Directors
Academic Policies
Admission
Admission to the Honors College requires an applicaiton that includes at least one essay. Students should refer to the Honors College webpage for instruction on how to apply. Application deadlines are listed ont he Honnors Cokllege webpage. To be admitted to the Honors College:
Incoming First Year Students
- Students should have CRSAT-MSAT of at least 1200 with no score below 550 in the critical reading, math, or writing sections of the test.
- Students should have a cumulative high school GPA of at least a B+.
- Students should have completed Honors, AP, and/or IB courses in high school and are engaged learners.
Incoming Transfer Students
To be admitted to the Honors College as a transfer student in the fall, the following criteria must be met. If the following criteria are met, transfer students must complete the on-line Honors College application and compose a short essay.
- Students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5
- Students must have completed honors or other challenging courses at the college level.
- Students must submit SAT or ACT scores.
Currently Enrolled Students
Students can also apply for admission to the Honors College after they have enrolled at William Paterson University. Students who have begun their studies at the Univetrsity are not eligible for Honors college scholarships. Students typically enter the Honors College after their first year at William Paterson University. Some students enter as sophomores however, it is usually not possible to enter the Honors College after this point because Honors requires the completion of three Honors sections of University Core Curriculum courses and an Honors track.
- Have completed at least two semesters and 24 credits at William Paterson University, these credits must all course towards graduation.
- Have completed one Honors course(generally taken in the second semester) with a grade of B or better.
- Have no grades below a C on their university transcript
- Submit SAT or ACT scores.
- Complete the on-line Honors college application and write a short essay that addresses the question of why they want to be part of the Honors College.
Retention
Students must remain in good standing to stay in the Honors College. Good standing includes maintaining a GPA of 3.25, joining a track in a timely manner and making progress in the track, and following the guidelines and expectations outlined in the Honors College Student Handbook. Students who do not make timely progress in a track may be dismissed from the track and from the Honors College. Students whose cumulative GPA drops below a 3.25 are given one semester’s probationary status. If they do not bring their cumulative GPA above a 3.25 during the probationary semester they are dismissed from the Honors College, removed from the Honors Track and they lose their Honors College scholarship. There is an appeal process for Honors students in jeopardy of losing their scholarship.
Incomplete Grade Policy
Work relating to grades of Incomplete (IN) must be completed and grades submitted by the end of the fourth week of classes in the semester subsequent to the semester in which the grade was issued. Grades of Incomplete (IN) may be assigned only when the student has successfully completed most of the work required for a course but due to extraordinary circumstances is unable to submit a portion of course work or completed final project (paper, exam, or other work) by the end of the semester. Under no circumstances should an Incomplete (IN) be assigned when, through negligence or with no acceptable excuse, a student fails to take an examination or to submit required work on time.
Grades of Incomplete (IN) may be assigned only with an agreement of mutual understanding between the faculty member and the student.
Pass/Fail Courses
UCC major and minor courses cannot be taken on a pass/fail basis. With the exception of courses that are designated by the University as “pass/fail only,” students may exercise a pass/fail option for free elective courses only, and for a maximum of 3-4 credits or one course per semester or a career maximum of 12 credits or four courses, whichever is greater. Students must be in good academic standing (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0) to opt for pass/fail. Students wishing to take a course on a pass/fail basis must notify the Registrars Office during the first ten (10) days of the fall or spring semesters or during the first three (3) days of any particular part of summer session in which they are enrolled in the course. Once the form is submitted the decision is irreversible. Students enrolled in a second degree program are not eligible for the pass fail grade option.
Procedures for Investigating Complaints about Grades or Student Academic Performance
Students who are dissatisfied with treatment by a faculty member in reference to grades or student academic performance should pursue the following procedure. Due process must be followed at each step of this procedure. No grade will be changed by anyone other than the faculty member who assigned it unless there is convincing evidence that the assignment of the original grade was inconsistent with professional standards in the discipline. Each step in the procedure must be initiated within ten working days of the faculty, chairperson, or departmental response. Dated, written statements are required at each step. Likewise, at each level, the faculty member, chairperson, or Department Executive Council (or other appropriate departmental committee) must complete a review of all pertinent written materials prior to rendering a decision and inform the student in writing of the decision within ten (10) working days of receipt of the complaint materials. If the student can verify that she or he has not been able to contact the faculty member, it is understood that the student’s right to appeal will not be jeopardized, and the deadline will be extended. A copy of all materials submitted at each level of the appeal process should be retained by the student. If the student so chooses, he/she will be allowed to appear before the appropriate committee or council at each level of the appeal process.
- The student must write to the faculty member within ten (10) working days of the receipt of the grade or of the incident related to the student’s academic performance to request an appointment to discuss the complaint. The letter must also include any pertinent documentation to substantiate the student’s complaint.
- At the meeting with the faculty member, the student must present any additional pertinent documents to substantiate the complaint. The faculty member must make available for review at this meeting materials submitted by the student for evaluation and not yet seen by the student.
- If the student is unsuccessful in making contact with the faculty member or upon meeting with the faculty member is dissatisfied with the outcome and wishes to further pursue the complaint, the student must write to the department chairperson and request an appointment to discuss the complaint. A copy of all materials originally presented to the faculty member must be included. The department chairperson will try to resolve the issue by reaching a settlement that is agreed upon by both the student and the faculty member. Each student who registers a complaint with a department chairperson must be given a copy of this policy. A copy must be attached to the appeal and signed by the student to indicate that he/she has been given a copy of this procedure, has read it, and understands it before the appeal can proceed.
- If the complaint is not resolved at the chairperson’s level, and if the student wishes to pursue the complaint, the student must request, in writing, that the department chairperson convene the Department Executive Council (or other appropriate department committee) to hear the appeal. The committee must consult with the faculty member involved in the complaint and review the documents provided by the student. The committee will then submit a recommendation to the department chairperson. When the faculty member involved is the chairperson, the student may request that the dean of the College convene the Department Executive Council (or other appropriate department committee).
- If not satisfied with the Department Executive Council’s (or other appropriate department committee’s) recommendation, and if the student wishes to further pursue the complaint, the student must write to the dean of that College requesting that the complaint be brought to the College Council for a recommendation by the department chairpersons of the College concerned. The chairperson of the department concerned will not take part in the final vote. The Council’s recommendation will be given to the dean of that College. This recommendation will constitute the University’s final decision.
- The University faculty unequivocally has the final responsibility with regard to grade changes.
Independent Study
The purpose of the undergraduate independent study program at William Paterson University is to encourage self-education under the auspices of a faculty supervisor. The program is open to matriculated junior and senior students who have shown themselves responsible and capable of self-direction and who possess a grade point average of at least 3.0, both overall and in the major, or in the field of the independent study. Independent study cannot substitute for an existing course, but may be utilized in lieu of a degree requirement. A student cannot undertake an independent study in which the student has no background. The choice of an independent study should be initiated by the student. An application form, with a one-page prospectus, should be submitted to the sponsoring faculty member. The application form requires the approval of the faculty member, the department chairperson, and the dean of the appropriate college. The completed application must be submitted by the student to the Office of Registration Services no later than the late registration period for the semester in which the independent study is to be undertaken. This deadline may be moved to an earlier time at the discretion of a department. The prospectus should include the following:
- Statement of the purpose of the project,
- Description of the proposed methodology to be used in carrying out the independent study,
- Brief preliminary bibliography,
- A proposed time schedule,
- If the project is expected to continue for two or more semesters, it should be clearly stated which part of the proposed work should be completed by the end of each semester,
- Description of the final product that will be evaluated for independent study credit. Three credits of independent study may be undertaken in a given semester; no more than 9 credits of independent study may be credited toward degree requirements. Credit and awarded by the faculty sponsor.
The maximum number of independent study credits that can be applied towards a degree is 9.
Leave of Absence
A leave of absence can be granted for one academic year (two semesters). A student must be in good standing in order to be eligible to take a leave of absence. If a student is not in good standing, a leave of absence cannot be granted, and the student electing to leave school must withdraw from the University (see below). A leave of absence must be applied for at least thirty days prior to the last day of classes of the semester for which it is applicable. Refunds after the deadline will not be considered under any circumstances. Students can obtain the forms for a leave of absence online at WPConnect.
Formal Withdrawal from the University
A withdrawal from the University will not be refused to any matriculated student. A withdrawal is a permanent separation from the university an indefinite length of time and is in force until the student chooses to apply for readmission. Withdrawal should not be confused with dropping a course nor should a withdrawal be confused with a leave of absence. Nonattendance in classes does not constitute a withdrawal from the University. For matriculated students, a withdrawal from the University must be officially processed through the Office of Registration Services, Registrar@wpunj.edu. Non-matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University during the school year are required to complete the appropriate form,which can be found online at WPConnect.
Students who withdraw from the University (from all their courses) must apply for readmission through the admissions office according to the admissions calendar. Readmission is not automatic; college or department enrollment restrictions and other considerations may not permit return during a particular semester. Students who are not in good standing upon withdrawal and subsequently seek readmission must simultaneously seek readmission to a major, if previously declared. Refunds after the deadline will not be considered under any circumstances.
Outcomes Assessment
In order for the University to improve its academic programs and student services, periodic assessments of student perceptions and student outcomes are conducted. All students participate in a variety of assessment activities during their university careers. The assessment information obtained is used only to improve the quality of the education experience for students.
Obligation of Payment
Once students have utilized Web registration or otherwise completed a registration transaction, students have entered into an agreement with the University and are liable for payment of all tuition and fees whether or not they elect to attend classes. This policy will apply regardless of a student’s claim of “no bill was received” or “never having attended classes” or that “no tuition payment had been made.” Any student who registers and later decides not to attend the University must follow the Leave of Absence/Withdrawal procedures described in this catalog.
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