Incompletes

Sometimes students will miss multiple classes or even weeks of class due to emergent mental or physical health conditions, or significant family or life issues. Generally, incompletes are given in significant, extenuating circumstances, when the student has completed the majority (more than 70%) of the course work for the class. This is a not a rigid requirement, but is a helpful rule of thumb to use when determining whether to proceed with an incomplete. If a student comes to you asking to make up multiple missed assignments or weeks of class, consider the following factors before you come up with a plan: 

  • First, keep in mind that the best thing for the student may be to withdraw from class and start fresh next quarter. Consider how extensive the make-up process will be and discuss with the student how that might impact their recovery or ability to be successful in the future. 
  • Refer the student to university and COB resources, including COB advising. If you have concerns about a student's mental health or physical safety, contact the Care Team. 
  • What time is it in the term? Making up two weeks at the start of the quarter may be very different than making up two weeks of midterms and final projects. 
  • What type of class is it? A highly interactive class or one with group projects may be impossible to "make-up" after assignment deadlines have passed. We give students grades based on their mastery of learning objectives; if you cannot assess their mastery due to them not being able to participate in mandatory activities, you cannot fairly provide them with a passing grade in the class. 
  • Consider where your class might fit into the student's overall schedule. If they missed your class, they likely also missed other classes. Ask what their plan is for dealing with their other classes and whether it makes sense to drop classes that are a bigger challenge or require a larger outlay of time. 
  • Consider referring them to the academic success center to make a plan for completing missed work. 
  • Refer students with what may be ongoing physical or mental health challenges to DAS so in the future they may be able to plan ahead for absences or needed accommodations. 

If an incomplete is not feasible or appropriate, the student can petition for a late withdrawal from the class. There is a $20 fee associated with late withdrawal. If they go that route, the student will need the faculty member to complete a section of the petition form. An e-mail with the requested information will work fine for that section and will also count as instructor signature.

Late Change of Registration form

Tuition Refund Appeal process

 If you want to issue an incomplete grade, please carefully review this academic policy. You must create an Incomplete Contract Download Incomplete Contract with the student to ensure there is no confusion regarding the process. The Incomplete Contract documents the grade the student will earn if the course is not completed in a timely way, the missing assignments, and (very important!) the date for completion. Once the contract has been completed, please provide a copy of the completed contract to Carrie Stampe and your School Head or Supervisor.

If you need to give the student access to the Canvas course after the course has ended (for example, to complete a quiz or exam), please send an emailed request to Canvas@oregonstate.edu with a couple pieces of information:

  • Canvas course code (e.g. TST_101_001_W2020) in which the incomplete was given
  • Student(s) name and ONID or student ID

You can find more information here about the process: https://oregonstate.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1935/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=117820 Links to an external site.