Coursework attempted at Mid-Plains Community College is evaluated according to the following letter grading system:

A+ = 4.0
A   = 4.0
B+ =   3.5
B   =   3.0
C+ =    2.5
C  =    2.0
D+ =    1.5
D    =    1.0
F    =    0.0

P        =    Passing
NP     =    Not Passing
WIP   =    Work in Progress
I         =    Incomplete
W      =    Withdraw
AU    =    Audit
CE    =    Credit by exam

“P” (Passing), “NP” (Not Passing), “I” (Incomplete), “WIP” (Wok in Progress),“AU” (Audit), “W” (Withdrawal), CE (Credit by Exam) grades are not included in the GPA (Grade Point Average). GPA is calculated by multiplying the semester hours of credit for each course by the grade point value to determine quality points, then dividing the sum of the quality points by the total number of GPA credits. Classes numbered below 1000 are not included in the GPA. 

The grade of “I” is awarded only in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances which make it impossible to complete all work by the close of the semester. An incomplete grade request (available from Registration and Records) must state the requirements to remove the “I” and a date by which the remaining requirements must be completed. The agreed upon completion date must be within one semester of the end of the grading period in which the “I” is awarded. An approved incomplete grade request must be received by Registration and Records within 30 days of the awarding of the incomplete grade. In the event that the student fails to fulfill the terms of the incomplete grade request by the date specified, the grade of “I” will be changed to an “F” on the student’s permanent record. 

Final grades are unalterable except when explanation is made in writing by the faculty member involved that shows that a grade was reported incorrectly as the result of an error in recording or in computing. Changes must be recorded before the next semester ends.

Students who wish to attend a course without taking examinations or receiving credit for a course may request to audit from an instructor during the first week of class only. Students who audit a course pay the regular tuition rate and fees. Audited courses do not count toward graduation requirements nor do they satisfy prerequisite requirements for other courses.  An audit student may not change from audit to credit status once the course has started.
Audited courses are not considered when establishing the full-time or part-time status of a student receiving financial aid or veteran’s benefits.

Students taking 12 or more credit hours that calculate into GPA and achieving a 3.5-3.89 GPA in a semester will be listed on the Dean’s Honor Roll; those achieving at least a 3.9 GPA will be listed on the President’s Honor Roll.

A student will be placed on academic probation whenever the student's academic performance falls below MPCC's established minimum requirements. The minimum requirements currently are as follows: a 1.5 cumulative GPA through the first 15 gpa hours, a 1.75 for 16-30 gpa hours and 2.0 for 31 gpa hours or more. Any student placed on academic probation who fails to meet the academic standards stated above by the end of that probationary semester will be suspended. After a student has received academic suspension, the student may not re-enroll for a period of one academic year, except with written permission following appeal.

Students who are placed on academic suspension are not eligible to enroll or to attend any credit classes at any Mid-Plains Community College location.

When a student returns after suspension, the student will be on probation status without requesting an appeal.

Students who have extenuating circumstances may appeal suspensions by notifying the college by date provided in the suspension letter.

Programs and divisions that wish to establish academic probation and suspension standards that are more strict than these guidelines may do so with permission of the Area Vice President for Instruction. However, these standards must be published and distributed to students and student services personnel. Programs and divisions which establish standards that differ from College standards stated herein will be responsible for notifying affected students of these standards and the students' academic standing as well as maintaining program/division records with respect to these students.

A Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) student may petition the Area Vice-President for Instruction to have a maximum of two semesters of courses removed from the calculation of grade point average and degree credit provided the following conditions apply:

• A student may receive academic amnesty only once and it is irrevocable.
• At least three years have elapsed since the time of the semester(s) being petitioned during which time the student may or may not elect to take classes.
• A student may choose only courses with a grade of D+ or lower to be “renewed” (based on the MPCC Catalog).
• The time frame allowed for amnesty will be a maximum of two consecutive semesters.
  • Where applicable, Summer I and Summer II, together equal one semester
• The student has completed at least 12 credit hours at MPCC, or any other regionally accredited institution of higher education with no grade below a C since earning the grade for which amnesty is being requested.
• The academic amnesty must be requested prior to completion of MPCC diploma or degree requirements.

If approved, the courses and grades of the semester(s) affected will appear on the transcript with the notation that academic amnesty was granted. Since academic amnesty may affect financial aid awards, a student receiving financial aid should contact the Office of Financial Aid prior to applying for amnesty.

Each student has the right to appeal the final grade in a course in accordance with the procedure outlined below. A grade appeal must be initiated by the student before the end of the following semester (excluding summer) after the assignment of the grade in question.

A student who questions a final course grade must adhere to the following procedure in the order presented:

First level: Discuss the matter with his/her instructor. Clerical errors are usually handled in this manner, with the instructor signing the correction of official records. If the student believes the problem is not resolved, the student shall then go to the second level.

Second level: Visit with the appropriate division chair to discuss the issue. If the concern still remains unresolved, the student may continue to the third level.

Third level: Elect to file a written Grade Appeal. Appeal forms are available from the Area Vice President for Instruction. The decision of the Grade Appeal Committee is final.

A Grade Appeal may not be filed until the first and second levels have been completed.

Once a Grade Appeal is filed with the Area Vice President for Instruction the following procedure takes effect:

1. The Grade Appeal Committee consisting of a Division Chair (outside of the division in which the course grade is in question), the Area Vice President for Instruction or Campus Vice President, two faculty members from within the division, one from another division, and the Dean of Student Life (or representative) will meet to consider the appeal.
2. At the meeting of the Grade Appeal Committee:
   1. The instructor shall be given the opportunity to personally explain the evaluation of the student’s performance and its relation to the final grade.
   2. The student shall be given the opportunity to personally present the evaluation of his or her performance and its relation to the final grade, and any other extenuating circumstances.
   3. The chair of the division in which the grade appeal is occurring may also be present to provide any relevant information.
   4. The committee shall thereafter confer privately to reach a decision which shall be either to uphold the original course grade, to assign a new course grade, or to allow the student to withdraw from the course in question, if the committee feels that the student lacked information upon which to base a withdraw earlier, or if the committee feels there are other appropriate reasons for the withdraw.
3. The decision of the Grade Appeal Committee is final.