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Validation–Guide and Reminders

Refer to the Validation–Guide and Reminders (Students) Google Doc

Important Dates: Spring 2023

  • Classes Begin: January 19
  • Last Day to Register or Validate: January 27

Refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.

Registration Information

Refer to the Registration Information (Student) Google Doc

Term specific details will be sent to your @macalester.edu email prior to the start of registration This document is for general reference only.

Start of Term–Reminders and Resources

Refer to the Start of Term–Reminders and Resources (Student) Google Doc

Important Dates: Spring 2023

  • Last Day to Add/Drop: January 27
  • Last Day to Register or Validate: January 27
  • Spring Break: March 11-19
  • Mid-term Grades Due: March 20
  • Last Day to Withdraw from a class: March 31
  • Designate Grading Option: April 3 – May 1 (last day of classes)
  • Final Grades Due: May 11 by noon
  • Work Due for Spring 2023 Incomplete Grades: July 1

Refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.

Grading–Withdrawal and S/SD/N grading option

How do I Withdraw from a class?

You can withdraw from a class in 1600grand after the Drop/Add period has closed through the Last Day to Withdraw From a Class (see Academic Calendar). To withdraw from a class, select Enter Registration under the Registration header. Select Register for Classes. Select the current term in the Terms Open for Registration drop down box. You can withdraw from a course by using the Action: *Withdraw 1600grand* in the drop down box in the Summary section in the bottom-right. Select Submit to process the course withdrawal. How To: Withdraw from a course in 1600grand

Note: Students cannot withdraw from all classes via 1600grand. Please contact Student Affairs if you have questions about a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal from the College.

How can I change the grade mode for a course to S/SD/N grading (i.e. “pass/fail”)?

The number of elective courses students may designate as S/SD/N grading option is unrestricted (in this context, “elective courses” refer to those courses not on a student’s major, minor, or concentration plan). The deadlines for students to select their grading option will be the last day of classes for the semester. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.

Students can change their grade mode in 1600grand by following these instructions: Adjusting your course Grade Mode in 1600grand. Students may make change to their grade mode up until the deadline posted in the Academic Calendar. Once the deadline has passed, no changes will be made to the grade more and the final designation will stand.

Please note: courses may list grade modes that are not applicable, and the Audit grade mode should not be selected:

Select one of the following Grade Modes: This Grade Mode SHOULD NOT BE selected:
  1. S/SD/N Allows Student Option
  2. Letter Grade
• Audit

Important Notes:

Effective Fall 2021—The Educational Policy and Governance Committee (EPAG) has modified the college policy on S/SD/N grading. The new policy will take effect in the fall semester of 2021.

  • Courses taken under this grading option may not be included on major, minor or concentration plans without specific departmental approval.
  • Students must earn an S (C- equivalent) in a course for it to satisfy a distribution, general education, or second-language proficiency requirement.
  • To be eligible for Latin Honors a candidate must have earned at least half of the number of semester hours (64 credits) required for graduation in courses at Macalester, and may have no more than the equivalent of one course per semester graded on the S/SD/N grading option*.
  • To be eligible for the Dean’s List a student must have been registered as a full-time, degree-seeking student and may not have been on a study away program. Furthermore, a student must have achieved a semester grade point average of at least 3.75, twelve or more credits on a regular (A, A-, B+, etc.) grading option, no grades below C-, and no withdrawal or incomplete grades for the semester. Grades for activity, practicum, and technique courses in dance, music, and physical education are not factored into eligibility for the Dean’s List.

*Spring 2020 – Summer 2021 (M5) S/SD/N grades as designated are exempt and will not affect Latin Honors calculations.

Alternate PIN*–You may be prompted to enter your Alternate (i.e. “Registration) PIN* for the current term when registration is open for the upcoming term. You can either leave this field blank or enter your current PIN to Continue. The Alternate (Registration) PIN will only be active for the upcoming term of registration. This usually only happens when you are changing the grade mode (“pass/fail”) on a course during an open registration period for a future term.

Graduation and Commencement

Official Transcript:

Official transcripts are ordered using Parchment. Degree information, including: award date, major(s), minor(s), concentrations(s), and awards (i.e. Latin Honors) will be available upon the awarding of your degree. You can confirm the status of your degree by (1) receipt of your digital diploma or (2) in 1600grand. Note: any outstanding requirements (i.e. missing ACTC grades or credits from study away; incomplete grades; exceptions to an additional majors, minors, or concentration) will delay the posting of your degree on your official transcript.

Diploma:

Your diploma will be awarded upon the successful completion of all degree requirements, including the processing of final grads in your last semester. As you can imagine, this does take some time, but we will work as quickly as possible to review and award your degree. Note: any outstanding requirements (i.e. missing ACTC grades or credits from study away; incomplete grades; exceptions to an additional majors, minors, or concentration) will delay the awarding of your degree.

You will first receive your digital diploma via email/text message once your degree has been awarded. This email/text will prompt you to sign in to your Parchment account to claim your diploma. If you do not yet have an account, you will need to create one. Parchment is also where you will order an official transcript, so an account will be useful going forward. You will want to verify your mailing address for your printed (paper) diploma as prompted. Please do so promptly as you will be reminded via email/text. The printed diploma should arrive within 15-20 days after you have confirmed your details with Parchment.

Latin Honors at Graduation:

To be eligible for Latin Honors a candidate must have earned at least half of the number of semester hours (64 credits) required for graduation in courses at Macalester, and may have no more than the equivalent of one course per semester graded on the S/SD/NC grading option*. *Spring 2020 – Summer 2021 (M5) grades designated S/SD/N are exempt and will not affect Latin Honors calculations.

Can I graduate early?

You are eligible to graduate upon the successful completion of all of the requirements for the degree. Please contact us to discuss these requirements and to ensure you are eligible for an early graduation.

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