-

MEMORANDUM 

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of Senate 

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Date..NP.V?mt?e.....,..l.98. 

Action undertaken by the Senate Graduate Studies Committee at its 

Meeting on November 12, 1985, gives rise to the following motion: 

MOTION: 

"That Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board 

of Governors, as set forth in S.85-60, the proposed 

change in the Graduate Grading System: 

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The Graduate Grading System be changed as follows: 

1) the introduction of A-, B+ and B- grades 

ii) replacement of P by C" 

Rationale for this change is outlined in the attached paper. 

Bruce P. Clayman 

Dean of Graduate Studies. 

mm!

attachs. 

To ...........Faculty 

Science 

of

Graduate Studies Committee 

Subject......!-.t• 

GRADES 

B.P. Clayman, Chairman 

Faculty ot Science 

Graduate Studies Committee 

Date ..... 

...p•ilS5 

I recently received a suggestion from an instructor in a graduate 

course that the graduate grading structure be modified to allow finer 

distinctions to be made. Specifically, the use of + and - grades, as 

at the undergraduate level was suggested. 

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In making up his grades, 

the instructor wanted to distinguish between A and A performance, for 

a clear separation was evident from the student's submitted work. 

I support this suggestion and solicit your reaction to the propo- 

sal that the graduate grade scale (section 1.5.1 of the general 

regulations) be modified to read: 

A

= ?

4.00 

points 

=

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3.67 

points 

B

= ?

3.33 

points 

B

= ?

3.00 

points 

C

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= 2.00 

points 

F

=0

You will note that only grades higher than 3.00, the minimum average 

acceptable for continuation, have fine graduations. Introducing a 

four level scale Instead of only two will Increase the opportunity to 

make fine distinctions. 

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Not introducing an A grade will maintain 

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comparability with the present grade structure. 

I also suggest that "P" be replaced by "C". I have never under- 

stood the reason for using "P" and the ambiguity between a "P" (mean- 

ing "C") and a "P" (in a Pass/Fail grading system) is undesirable; 

many other institutions use "P" in this latter sense. 

I would appreciate your consideration of these changes. Please 

discuss them with your colleagues and let me know the reactions. I 

would be pleased to discuss this proposal with you. 

BPC/dy 

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layman 

,

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cc: Chairmen, Faculty of Science 

Dean J.F. Cochran, Faculty of Science 