Academic policies
A page within Records and Registration
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The undergraduate and graduate catalogs are the source of all academic policies as they relate to UWL students. The below lists are intended as an aid to help locate the policies in the catalogs.
The COVID-10 Temporary S/U Policies effective for Spring 2020 undergraduate grades and Spring 2021 undergraduate grades are posted below.
About UWL
UWL's Mission, Vision, & Values are found in the official published catalogs of the university and apply to both undergraduate and graduate students.
UWL's policy on freedom of thought and expression can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
UWL's policy on civil rights can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
UWL's policy on accommodation of religious beliefs can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
UWL's policy on providing facilities and programs that are accessibly to all students with disabilities can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
COVID-19 Temporary S/U Grading Policies - effective Spring 2020 & Spring 2021
Undergraduate proposed policy for current emergency:
The Committee on Academic Policies and Standards voted on April 17, 2020, to recommend the following temporary policy for undergraduate students.
Students may request an S/U grade using the following process:
- As in past semesters, instructors will enter letter grades using the current grade scheme.
- Once grades are posted, students will be able to petition for the conversion of their earned letter grade, on a course-by-course basis, to the S/U designation. If approved, the following conversions will be considered.
- Letter grades of "C" or better will be converted to an "S."
- Letter grades of "D" or "F" will be converted to a "U."
- Students petitioning for conversion of a course to an S/U designation will use the following process.
- To petition for an S/U designation for a class, students will submit a completed form to their Dean’s office by June 12, 2020.
- The form will be developed by the Dean’s offices, subject to approval by CAPS.
- The result of the decision will be communicated to the student in a timely manner. May graduates’ requests will be given priority. Approval is likely but not guaranteed. Impact on the student’s academic progress or programmatic accreditation will be considered.
- The Dean’s office associated with the student’s first major will receive all requests.
- If approved, the Registrar will apply the "S" or "U" grade; if denied, the student may appeal to CAPS.
- If approved, the conversion to S/U may not be reversed.
- Students who were unable to request grade changes prior to June 12, 2020 may appeal that deadline to CAPS. CAPS will not hear appeals after one year (June 12, 2021).
Additional information
- Courses currently set up as P/F would not be altered or amended.
- Incomplete options remain as currently in policy.
- UWL Classes that began in the online format are included in this policy.
- UW Extended Learning online collaborative program courses are excluded. Grading of these courses is determined through Extended Learning policy.
- Dean’s List determination will continue to be made on the original grades submitted and will not be altered by the conversion to S/U grades.
- Graduation and Commencement Honors policies continue as currently stated in the UWL catalog.
The following current practices for "S" and "U" grades will still apply:
- "S" grade
- When communicating to other institutions about an "S" grade, it is current practice that an "S" be treated as a "C" or better for undergraduates. Final determination of how to treat an "S" grade is up to the institution reviewing the transcript.
- An "S" grade satisfies prerequisite requirements.
- An "S" grade counts towards major and minor requirements, unless specified differently by department policy.
- An "S" grade counts towards the total credits earned
- An "S" grade is not used to calculate GPA.
- "U" grade
- When communication to other institutions about a "U" grade, it is current practice that a "U" be treated as an "F" for undergraduates. Final determination of how to treat a "U" grade is up to the institution reviewing the transcript.
- A "U" grade does not satisfy prerequisite requirements.
- A "U" grade does not count towards major and minor requirements.
- A "U" grade does not count towards the total credits earned.
- A "U" grade is not used to calculate GPA.
- Repeat Grade Policy
- The "S" and "U" grades can be used to replace a previous "D" or "F" grade in the calculation of the GPA via the course repeat policy.
Additional considerations for students considering petitioning for an S/U conversion:
- Students with a GPA below 2.0 cannot graduate and conversion to an S/U grade may reduce their GPA.
- The GPA requirements for entrance into certain programs are still in place and adopting an S/U designation may decrease a student’s GPA.
- As incomplete is still an option and may be a better choice for students needing to complete work in a lab/hands on/practicum course.
The S/U grade scheme was chosen for the following reasons:
- The grades already exist on the UWL grade scale and using existing grades is considered a "best practice" by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) organization.
- The transcript legend would not require permanent alteration
- S/U grades are already used in the WINGS processes in the transcript, advisement report, enrollment prerequisites, etc.… No additional coding required to adapt an entirely new grade type necessary for this one extraordinary term
- UWL does not currently have a policy limiting the numbers of credits earned with S grades as is the case for P/F grades.
Reasons to adopt a process requiring a student to petition for an S/U for a class versus adopting a blanket S/U policy:
- Instructors are providing diverse opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge in the current challenging environment and students and instructors are rising to that challenge.
- Many students want to earn letter grades.
- Many students need to earn letter grades for a large variety of reasons, including, but not limited to the following. A request process will allow discussion with students on these points.
- Transferability of credit
- Admission to particular courses
- Admission to undergraduate programs
- Admission to graduate programs
- The requirements of accredited programs
- Benefits (e.g., Veteran’s benefits)
- Eligibility (e.g., Athletes)
- By adopting a petition process, we are still sensitive to students with barriers to full online engagement associated with COVID-19 including but not limited to unforeseen financial situation, family situations, family or personal health considerations and other life challenges as well as access issues.
- Keeping letter grades maintains student motivation.
- Involving the Dean’s offices as the primary point of contact mirrors a typical academic progress appeal and reduces the burden on the instructors to document and support the student appeals.
Graduate proposed policy for current emergency:
Graduate Council met on April 10, 2020, and voted 9-2-0 to maintain current grading policies for graduate students; and on April 17, 2020, Graduate Council met and approved the following statement, 9-0-0, to send forward to Senate.
In response to COVID 19, Graduate Council has voted to maintain grading and other academic policies. (Vote: 9/2/0). The Graduate Council upholds the current academic standing and probation policy for graduate studies. Students facing adverse conditions that are impeding their course work should reach out to their instructors, advisors, program directors, and/or the Student Life Office as soon as possible. Graduate programs are encouraged to be flexible in terms of how course requirements are met in Spring 2020. Students dismissed from graduate study can request readmission by making an appeal to their graduate program.
Undergraduate proposed policy for Spring 2021:
Students may request an S/U grade using the following process:
- As in past semesters, instructors will enter letter grades using the current grade scheme.
- Once grades are posted, students will be able to petition for the conversion of their earned letter grade, on a course-by-course basis, to the S/U designation. If approved, the following conversions will be considered.
- Letter grades of "C" or better will be converted to an "S."
- Letter grades of "D" or "F" will be converted to a "U."
- Students petitioning for conversion of a course to an S/U designation will use the following process.
- To petition for an S/U designation for a class, students will submit a completed form to their Dean’s office by June 11, 2021.
- The form will be developed by the Dean’s offices, subject to approval by CAPS.
- The result of the decision will be communicated to the student in a timely manner. May graduates’ requests will be given priority. Approval is likely but not guaranteed. Impact on the student’s academic progress or programmatic accreditation will be considered.
- The Dean’s office associated with the student’s first major will receive all requests.
- If approved, the Registrar will apply the "S" or "U" grade; if denied, the student may appeal to CAPS.
- If approved, the conversion to S/U may not be reversed.
- Students who were unable to request grade changes prior to June 11, 2021 may appeal that deadline to CAPS. CAPS will not hear appeals after one year (June 10, 2022).
Additional information
- Courses currently set up as P/F would not be altered or amended.
- Incomplete options remain as currently in policy.
- UWL Classes that began in the online format are included in this policy.
- UW Extended Learning online collaborative program courses are excluded. Grading of these courses is determined through Extended Learning policy.
- Dean’s List determination will continue to be made on the original grades submitted and will not be altered by the conversion to S/U grades.
- Graduation and Commencement Honors policies continue as currently stated in the UWL catalog.
The following current practices for "S" and "U" grades will still apply:
- "S" grade
- When communicating to other institutions about an "S" grade, it is current practice that an "S" be treated as a "C" or better for undergraduates. Final determination of how to treat an "S" grade is up to the institution reviewing the transcript.
- An "S" grade satisfies prerequisite requirements.
- An "S" grade counts towards major and minor requirements, unless specified differently by department policy.
- An "S" grade counts towards the total credits earned
- An "S" grade is not used to calculate GPA.
- "U" grade
- When communication to other institutions about a "U" grade, it is current practice that a "U" be treated as an "F" for undergraduates. Final determination of how to treat a "U" grade is up to the institution reviewing the transcript.
- A "U" grade does not satisfy prerequisite requirements.
- A "U" grade does not count towards major and minor requirements.
- A "U" grade does not count towards the total credits earned.
- A "U" grade is not used to calculate GPA.
- Repeat Grade Policy
- The "S" and "U" grades can be used to replace a previous "D" or "F" grade in the calculation of the GPA via the course repeat policy.
Additional considerations for students considering petitioning for an S/U conversion:
- Students with a GPA below 2.0 cannot graduate and conversion to an S/U grade may reduce their GPA.
- The GPA requirements for entrance into certain programs are still in place and adopting an S/U designation may decrease a student’s GPA.
- As incomplete is still an option and may be a better choice for students needing to complete work in a lab/hands on/practicum course.
The S/U grade scheme was chosen for the following reasons:
- The grades already exist on the UWL grade scale and using existing grades is considered a "best practice" by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) organization.
- The transcript legend would not require permanent alteration
- S/U grades are already used in the WINGS processes in the transcript, advisement report, enrollment prerequisites, etc.… No additional coding required to adapt an entirely new grade type necessary for this one extraordinary term
- UWL does not currently have a policy limiting the numbers of credits earned with S grades as is the case for P/F grades.
Reasons to adopt a process requiring a student to petition for an S/U for a class versus adopting a blanket S/U policy:
- Instructors are providing diverse opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge in the current challenging environment and students and instructors are rising to that challenge.
- Many students want to earn letter grades.
- Many students need to earn letter grades for a large variety of reasons, including, but not limited to the following. A request process will allow discussion with students on these points.
- Transferability of credit
- Admission to particular courses
- Admission to undergraduate programs
- Admission to graduate programs
- The requirements of accredited programs
- Benefits (e.g., Veteran’s benefits)
- Eligibility (e.g., Athletes)
- By adopting a petition process, we are still sensitive to students with barriers to full online engagement associated with COVID-19 including but not limited to unforeseen financial situation, family situations, family or personal health considerations and other life challenges as well as access issues.
- Keeping letter grades maintains student motivation.
- Involving the Dean’s offices as the primary point of contact mirrors a typical academic progress appeal and reduces the burden on the instructors to document and support the student appeals.
Graduate proposed policy for Spring 2021:
The Graduate Council voted to maintain grading and other academic policies in Spring 2020. The Graduate Council votes to continues those policies in the Spring 2021 term as well. This upholds the current academic standing and probation policy for graduate studies. Students facing adverse conditions that are impeding their course work should reach out to their instructors, advisors, program directors, and/or the Student Life Office as soon as possible. Graduate programs are encouraged to be flexible in terms of how course requirements are met in Spring 2021. Students dismissed from graduate study can request readmission by making an appeal to their graduate program.
Academic calendar
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Academic Calendar is describe briefly in the official catalogs, undergraduate and graduate. A longer description of how UWL's calendar is determined can be found in the "UWL Academic Calendar Full Policy and Revisions" located on Records and Registration's Academic Scheduling page. UWL follows a seven year calendar cycle.
Student conduct
The full UWL Student Honor Code can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System has established administrative codes to address academic and non-academic misconduct. A brief description of the situations these codes cover can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The student handbook, Eagle Eye, has more specific information about how these disciplinary procedures are enforced at UW-La Crosse and how one may report an incident.
Student records
F.E.R.P.A. refers to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act which protects the privacy of student educational records. An abbreviated policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs. UWL's full policy can be found on our FERPA page.
It is the student’s responsibility to keep appropriate offices advised of changes. Campus (local) or permanent home (legal) addresses may be changed through the student's WINGS Student Center. Official name changes must be done in the Office of Records and Registration, 117 Graff Main Hall, with proper identification and documentation.
In August 2016, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse began implementation of a Preferred Name Policy that allows eligible students, faculty, and staff to indicate their preferred first and/or middle name to the university community regardless of whether they have legally changed their name.
Veteran-related
Veteran-related academic policies are on the Records' Veteran Students page. Information pertaining to educational benefits and certification assistance can be found in the Veteran Services Office.
Academic Eligibility
CAPS revisions approved by Faculty Senate 11/20/2008, 2/26/2015, and 12/1/2016.
Admissions
The criteria and policies for undergraduate admission can be found in the admissions section of the undergraduate catalog. See the Admissions website for further information on applying to UWL.
Degrees, Commencement, & Honors
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
Occasionally events take place where the need to consider additional degree options arises in order to honor those who have provided exemplary service to the university or to extend sympathy and compassion to the families and friends of deceased students near completion of their degrees. UWL has policies for awarding honorary, extraordinary, and posthumous degrees in recognition of these exceptional situations.
Final Exams
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
Grading
The current policy can be found in both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current academic policy can be found in both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The audit policy applies to both undergraduate and graduate students. The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog. The Admissions Office has details on ways to earn this credit.
Internships
Departmental and/or university-wide (non-departmental) co-op internships are designed to carry variable credit with maximum credits awarded only if student assignments meet operational standards of 40 hours per week for approximately 14 weeks. Fewer credits will be awarded on a prorated hours-per-week basis.
While a maximum of 30 semester credits may be taken in internships and recorded on the permanent academic record, no more than 15 credits will be applicable to a degree. (Credit applicable to a major or minor will be assigned by the appropriate department chairperson).
All students involved in departmental and/or university-wide co-op internships (non departmental) for credit are required to register.
Academic departments who plan to make changes in their departmental requirements for the cooperative education and internship program should consult with Career Services.
These policies do not apply to internships in teacher education, physical education, recreation, social work, physical therapy, medical technology, nuclear medicine technology, or graduate programs. Students wishing more information should contact the Cooperative Education/Internship Program in the Career Services Offices.
The list of participating UWL academic departments can be found in the catalog.
Registration, Attendance, & Schedule Changes
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The policy sets the deadlines for dropping a course without affecting a student's academic record and the deadlines for adding without permission and with permission. The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
After the change of schedule period is over (10 days for a full semester class; for shorter classes, deadlines are calculated proportionally), dropping a full semester course will result in a "W" being placed on the student's record. The complete "Individual Class Withdrawal Policy" can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
A brief description of the registration process can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalog.
For information on how to register through WINGS, see Records and Registration's registration resources for more details and links to help documents.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
Transfer Credit
The policies for transferring undergraduate credit to UWL can be found in the transfer credit section of the undergraduate catalog.
Undergraduate Policy Committees
CAPS is the faculty committee for formulating and reviewing local policies and standards for admissions and academic activity; ensuring equitable application of the standards by the colleges and schools; and developing procedures for hearing student appeals and petitions on academic matters. Membership of the committee consists of nine faculty and three students. The Director of Admissions and the Registrar serve as administrative consultants. The Chancellor selects an additional administrative consultant.
By-laws and other documentation for CAPS are posted on the UWL Faculty Senate website.
The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) is the curriculum review faculty body for all academic programs at the baccalaureate level. Membership of this committee consists of nine faculty, with proportional representation by college, and three students. The Provost, Registrar, Director of the Library, and the dean of each college serve as administrative consultants.
By-laws and other documentation for UCC are posted on the Faculty Senate website.
Withdrawal Policies
This policy refers to dropping (a.k.a. withdrawing from) an individual course after the change of schedule period is over, when dropping courses starts to affect a student's academic record. The full policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
Full policy can be found on the veteran students' page.
An abbreviated version of the below policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
Full policy can be found on the veteran students' page.
An abbreviated version of the below policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
Academic Eligibility
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
Revised by Graduate Council 5/1/1997; 5/31/2005; 1/28/2010; and 5/10/2013.
Admissions
The criteria and policies for graduate admissions can be found in the admissions section of the graduate catalog. See also the Admissions and Graduate Studies pages for further information on applying to UWL.
Assistantships
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
Degrees, Commencement, & Honors
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
Honors are not calculated for graduate students. The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
Final Exams
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
The Graduate Council has approved a graduate research, comprehensive exams, and terminal project completion policy for students who are still working on required research, comprehensive exams, or terminal projects. The purpose of this policy is to provide continued access to university faculty, technology, facilities, and the library.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
Graduate Policy Committees
The Graduate Council is responsible for establishing academic standards pertaining to graduate study, determining procedures for selecting graduate faculty, formulating appeal procedures and hearing graduate student appeals on academic policies, and making recommendations to Faculty Senate about issues related to graduate study.
By-laws and other documentation for Graduate Council are posted on the UWL Faculty Senate website.
The Graduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) is the curriculum review faculty body for all academic programs at the graduate level. Membership of this committee consists of nine faculty, with proportional representation by college, and three students. The Provost, Registrar, Director of University Graduate Studies, Director of the Library, and the dean of each college serve as administrative consultants.
By-laws and other documentation for GCC are posted on the Faculty Senate website.
Grading
The current policy can be found in both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current academic policy can be found in both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The audit policy applies to both undergraduate and graduate students. The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
Registration, Attendance, & Schedule Changes
Advising is a critical part of graduate education. It is important for each student to meet with their program director early in their studies to chart a plan of study. Program directors serve as the advisors in some programs; in other programs, advisors are assigned. Consulting with your advisor prior to each registration will reduce the possibility of enrolling in courses which do not meet your goals.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The policy sets the deadlines for dropping a course without affecting a student's academic record and the deadlines for adding without permission and with permission. The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
After the change of schedule period is over (10 days for a full semester class; for shorter classes, deadlines are calculated proportionally), dropping a full semester course will result in a "W" being placed on the student's record. The complete "Individual Class Withdrawal Policy" can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
The current policy can be found in the graduate catalog.
A brief description of the registration process can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalog.
For information on how to register through WINGS, see Records and Registration's registration resources for more details and links to help documents.
The current policy can be found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
Transfer Credit
The current policy can be found in the graduate transfer credit section of the graduate catalog.
Withdrawal Policies
This policy refers to dropping (a.k.a. withdrawing from) an individual course after the change of schedule period is over, when dropping courses starts to affect a student's academic record. The full policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
The current policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
Full policy can be found on the veteran students' page.
An abbreviated version of the below policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
Full policy can be found on the veteran students' page.
An abbreviated version of the below policy can be found in the both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.