Resolution 2001-5 on Grading Standards

WHEREAS at its April 2001 meeting the Faculty Council received the report of the Task Force on Grading Standards, and

WHEREAS the present Resolution endorses the recommendations of that report, and

WHEREAS letter grades are defined on pages 300-301 of the 2001-2002 Undergraduate Bulletin,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

The Faculty Council recommends that:

(1) The faculty of each educational unit within the University should review its grading standards in a formal meeting, and in the light of the disciplines of that unit and the pedagogies by which they are taught. The goal should be to arrive at consensus on the standards represented by the letter grades used in the educational unit.

(2) For graduate teaching assistants and other part-time or temporary instructors within the units, a review of grading standards should occur on an annual basis. In addition, part of the ordinary review within the units of the teaching performance of graduate teaching assistants and other part-time or temporary instructors should include a review of the instructor's grading patterns.

(3) The chairs and heads of each unit should review the grading patterns of the individual faculty on an annual basis. Such evaluations of faculty should review grading patterns as they are established over several semesters.

(4) Deans should require in the annual report of each educational unit of the University a general summary of grading patterns within that unit to insure that reviews of grading patterns within the unit occur on a regular basis.

(5) The Registrar should distribute annually to deans and chairs a summary of grades assigned within all units.

(6) The Educational Policy Committee should report to the Faculty Council regularly, but at a minimum once per year, on the state of grading practices at UNC - Chapel Hill.