January 21, 2004
Proposal for change in the Y policy, on behalf of the Academic Standards Committee:
Currently: The grade of Y indicates “no basis for grade.” The Y remains on the transcript indefinitely.
Proposed change:
When there is no basis for grade (i.e. the student has been a no-show throughout the term, or by any other means has no basis for a grade), the student shall be issued a grade of F or U, depending on the grade mode for the course. The grade of Y shall no longer exist at EOU.
Furthermore, instructors who do not wish to issue a grade of F or U to students who were no-shows throughout the term may elect to administratively withdraw those whose names appear enrolled on their class list, yet have never attended. Faculty are encouraged to take this action during the first three weeks of instruction, for purposes of maintaining accurate enrollment counts campus-wide.
Rationale:
--Students hold the responsibility to be aware of what classes they are enrolled in, and must see to it that they drop the courses that they are not attending.
--The Y has been used inconsistently at EOU, sometimes being converted to a passing grade long after the end of the course, by arrangement between the student and instructor for “make-up” or late work. In this respect, the Y has been used in cases where an I would be appropriate. That is, if the faculty and student agree to finish the work for a grade then an I should be filed with the appropriate paperwork and deadlines for
completion. (see Incomplete Grading Policy Proposal).
--The Y grade affects current financial aid policies, for the very prospect of a Y permits students to collect their full package of aid without attending all of their listed classes. Abolition of the Y will compel students to ensure that they are attending the classes that they enroll in.
--Most importantly, the Y is endangering EOU's eligibility for access to federal aid. Currently 12% of DDE course grades are Y, and there are no policies in place to limit the use of this grade.