Select From: The Student Grading System Grade Appeal Privacy Act Student Judicial Policy Other Student Centered Programs and Services Student Publications Student Assistance Directory

STUDENTS:

3.0 The Student

The University of New Orleans enrolls approximately 17,000 students each semester with 82% from New Orleans and the five surrounding parishes. Thirty-five percent are part-time students. The average age of undergraduates is 24. Graduate students comprise 25% of total enrolllment and approximately 50% are part-time. The average age of all students is 26. The student body is multinational and multi-ethnic. Diversity is its hallmark, the sign of a cosmopolitan, urban university.

In this section of the handbook, information will be presented which should be of use to the faculty member in his or her relations with the student body. Please refer also to the section "Duties and Responsibilities" in the UNO Catalog for academic regulations, and to the UNO Student Handbook. Faculty are also urged to consult their colleagues in the Division of Student Life, whose purpose is to work with faculty to serve students through a variety of support services and to concurrently enrich the educational experience at the University of New Orleans. Through participation in student life services and programs, students are provided opportunities to enhance their leadership, decision-making, organizational, and social skills. 

UNO Student Handbook

http://www.studentaffairs.uno.edu/handbook

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3.1 Grading System

The University uses the letter system of grades, with the following values assigned to each:

A has a value of four quality points per semester hour and is given for work of the highest degree of excellence.

B has a value of three quality points per semester hour and is given for work of a high degree of excellence.

C has a value of two quality points per semester hour and is given for satisfactory work.

D has a value of one quality point per semester hour and is given for passing but marginal work.

F does not earn quality points. This grade is given for work failed. A student who receives this grade in a course must repeat the course in the LSU System in order to receive credit for it.

XF has no quality point value and is given if a student does not drop a class and does not take the final exam for that class. 

P means passing and is assigned for satisfactory work taken by advanced standing examination, for satisfactory completion of certain non-credit courses or courses numbered below 1000, and for satisfactory completion of courses taken on a pass-fail basis. This grade does not carry quality points and is not used in computing the official grade average of a student.

U means unsatisfactory and is assigned for unsatisfactory completion of courses numbered below 1000. Credit hours for courses for which a grade of U is recorded are not used in calculating the student's average.

W means withdrawal. This grade is given when a student drops a course or resigns from the University after the fourteenth class day (seventh class day in the summer) through the end of the first 50 class days (24 class days in the summer). Credit hours for which a grade of W is recorded are not used in calculating the student's average.

I means incomplete and is given for work, which is of passing quality but which, because of circumstances beyond the student's control, is incomplete. A grade of I may be given only with the approval of the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled. A grade of I becomes a grade of F if it is not converted before the deadline for adding courses for credit(as printed in the catalog) of the next regular semester for which the student is enrolled in the LSU System.  >>top

3.2 Grade Appeal

If a student believes that the final grade in a course resulted from biased or exceptional action against him or her as an individual, an appeal mechanism is available for possible redress of the grievance. The student must first approach the professor to seek an explanation. If this action falls to resolve the problem, the student must then present a written complaint to the department chairman, who will serve as negotiator between the student and the faculty member. If the informal negotiations fail to reach a settlement, then both professor and student must file written statements, and the student files a grade appeal form. The departmental appeals committee meets to review the statements and then to hear the case, and takes action on the grade appeal. An appeal of the committee's action to the dean of the college is possible only on procedural grounds. Details of the grade appeal procedure and a policy statement can be found in "Grade Appeal Policy (Final Course Grade)," copies of which may be obtained in the offices of department chairs, deans, and Academic
Affairs.

Course Final-Grade Appeal Policy

http://www.studentaffairs.uno.edu/studentpolicies - Grade Appeal Policy (Final Course Grade)

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3.3 Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-380) provide that the University will maintain the confidentiality of student educational records. Educational records are defined as those which are directly related to a student and which are maintained by the University or by a party acting for the University. The law provides students with the right to inspect their educational records and to challenge the contents (in the case of a grade, only the accuracy of recording may be challenged). The provisions of the law as they relate to faculty and students are found in AP 51.1 http://academicaffairs.uno.edu/ap/51.1.htm.

In maintaining the confidentiality of students' grades, faculty must take care not to post grades in an unacceptable manner. Posting grades is permissible if the method used precludes the identification of an individual's grades by anyone other than that person. Grades must not be posted in alphabetical order, with or without names. Although AP 51.1 gives some latitude to the instructor in the posting of grades, litigation has challenged the grade-posting procedure, and the faculty member would be well advised to be more prudent than even the letter of the law. To avoid legal liability, faculty should explain to all students, preferably in writing in addition to any statements made in class, that grades will be posted only in random order, only by code name or number, and only for those who agree in writing to allow it. They should then post the grades of only those students who agree in writing. Colleges may have stricter regulations concerning posting of grades; faculty should contact their college office before announcing their policy.

For further information on the Privacy Act, including what may be revealed publicly, consult the document "Educational Privacy Rights of Students" (AP 51.1, http://academicaffairs.uno.edu/ap/51.1.htm) or contact the Office of Academic Affairs.  >>top

3.4 Student Judicial Policy

The University of New Orleans has established a student judicial code to facilitate the handling of student problems on campus.

Complaints may be brought against any student by any member of the university community. Faculty should familiarize themselves with the provisions of the code, especially with regard to situations involving academic dishonesty. Any questions concerning complaints about student behavior should be directed to Student Affairs (250-6222).

Division of Student Affairs

http://studentaffairs.uno.edu

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3.5 Other Student Centered Programs and Services

The University of New Orleans offers a variety of programs and services to our students. Some of these can be found at the webpage for UNO Student Life, http://studentaffairs.uno.edu.

3.6 Student Publications

The Driftwood is the campus weekly newspaper, published by the University and edited by a student staff under the general supervision of a faculty advisor. Major editorial officers are paid salaries. Appointments to the paid positions are made by the Chancellor upon the recommendation of the Committee on Student Publications. The paper is distributed free during the academic year.

Ellipsis is the campus literary magazine, published annually by the Department of English, written and edited by students under the sponsorship of a faculty member.  >>top

3.7 Student Assistance Directory

The online UNO Student Handbook has contact information (person to call, department, location and phone) for student services and resources. Information ranges from policies, organizations, judicial code, student rights, freedoms and responsibilities, building locations and maps. It includes information such as appeals, student activities, accident reporting, absences, counseling, career development, employment, legal services, publications, sports information.

UNO Student Handbook

http://www.studentaffairs.uno.edu/handbook

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