11.1 Confidentiality of Student Records
The University regards students' personal information and academic record as a matter of confidence between the student and the University. The content of either may be revealed only in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-380, Section 438, as amended).

In order that parents of students may receive from University officials information concerning the college attendance and academic record of their child, it is required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) Public Law 93-380, as amended, section 99, 33 (8), that either the parents must prove financial dependence of their child upon them according to the dependency test defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the child must grant a waiver of rights given by FERPA.

All students are required to complete a form indicating their choice of whether or not to waive the rights given them.

11.2 Transcripts
Students receive a summary transcript of their complete academic record following the spring semester. Students should carefully examine their records for accuracy and immediately report errors to the College Office.

To obtain additional copies of their academic records, students must write to the Registrar for transcripts for themselves or for copies to be sent to other institutions and agencies. Students on campus may stop by the Registrar's Office and fill out a request for a transcript. There is generally a 24 to 48 hour turn-around period before the requested transcript is available.

Any official transcripts issued by the Office of the Registrar bear the signature of the Registrar. Whenever an official transcript is released directly to the student it will also bear the stamped designation, "Issued to Student."

No transcript will be issued unless all financial obligations owed by the student to the University have been satisfied. A fee of $5.00 is charged for the issuance of each transcript.

11.3 Semester Grade Reports
Soon after the close of each semester, every registered student who is free of financial obligations to the University is sent a grade report to the permanent address on record.

11.4 The Grading System
Following is the officially recognized method of grading course work and rating academic performance of undergraduate students at the University. Faculty members should advise students in a written syllabus distributed at the first class meeting whether the plus/minus option will be used, and how final grades will be determined.

Grade Explanation Grade Points per Credit
A Superior 4.0
A- Excellent 3.7
B+ Very Good 3.3
B Good 3.0
B- Above Average 2.7
C+ Satisfactory 2.3
C Average 2.0
D Lowest Passing Grade 1.0
F Failure 0.0
S Satisfactory Pass/Fail Elective Course
P Pass Pass/Fail Only Course
U Unsatisfactory-Failure Pass/Fail Elective Course
N Not Passing Pass/Fail Only Course
I Incomplete  
W Withdrawal  

Courses receiving a grade of F, U, N, I or W do not earn credit, and if they are required courses, they must be repeated and passed.
Courses receiving a grade of S, P, U, N, I or W are independent of the grade point system, that is, they neither raise nor lower the student's GPA as Duquesne calculates it.

I - Incomplete Grade
A temporary grade given by an instructor when neither a passing nor a failing grade can be determined because of incomplete course work. Unless a cogent explanation of extenuating circumstances, acceptable to the instructor, is presented and the missed examination or required assignment is made up by the date specified in the Academic calendar, the I becomes a permanent F grade. In the College, students must have completed 80% of the work for a course in order for an I grade to be given. If possible, the student should inform the instructor of the circumstances preventing his/her completion of the course, and request an I grade, before the end of the term.

W - Withdrawal
Used on a student's permanent record to indicate termination of attendance in courses under conditions of official withdrawal.

NG - No Grade
Used by the Registrar's Office on grade reports showing that no grade was reported.

11.5 Calculating the GPA
The grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of attemped credits into the total number of grade points earned.

1. Multiply the number of credits for each course attempted (not including I,W, S, U, P or N grades) by the number of grade points earned for that course. For example if a student received a B for a 3-credit course, his grade point for that course would be 9:
2. (grade points for a B) x 3 (credits) = 9 (grade points)
3. Add the grade points for all courses attempted to form a single sum.
4. Add together the total number of credits for all courses attempted to form a single sum.
5. Divide the sum of the total credits attempted above into the sum of the grade points achieved. This final figure is the overall GPA.

NOTE: Remember that credits earned in Pass/Fail courses are not computed in the GPA. However, credits taken in courses in which an F grade was received do count in the GPA, unless the course is later repeated.

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