Transcripts & Grades

Grades are converted into Occidental equivalents, listed on the transcript, and factored into the student’s Oxy GPA. All courses, grades and credits appear on the Oxy transcript.

Students should note that the timeframe in which transcripts are received from abroad does not follow the on-campus academic calendar. Typically, transcripts are received from abroad between one and four months following the completion of the academic program abroad. Students who intend to apply for scholarships, or graduate programs, should keep this time frame in mind at the time of application for off-campus study. Students should also keep in mind that transcripts may not be received from abroad prior to course registration for the following semester and that this may impact a student’s registration time.

Grade Appeals

The presumption at Occidental is that the instructor alone is qualified to evaluate the academic work of students in his or her courses and to assign grades to that work. Students will be graded within the context of local circumstances abroad and Occidental respects the integrity of different academic systems internationally; therefore, most grades are not subject to appeal. If a student believes that a grade has been assigned in error, or in the case of extraordinary circumstances, s/he may appeal the assigned grade as follows:

1. The final grade must be appealed by the end of the fourth week following the posting of the overseas grades to the Oxy transcript by the Registrar.

2. The student should communicate with the IPO director to initiate the appeal process within the appropriate timeframe.

3. The student should contact the instructor of the course to discuss his/her concerns and verify the accuracy of the grade, as well as the basis for it. Students should include the IPO director on this correspondence with the instructor.

4. Following communication with the instructor abroad, if the student believes that the grade issue has not been resolved, the student should contact the overseas program administrator so that the grade may be appealed within the context of local circumstances and administrative processes. The student should include the IPO director on this correspondence with the program. Occidental respects the differing academic processes of other cultures and therefore supports these processes as part of the academic experience abroad. However, if after participating in the local process abroad the student believes that the error or assigned grade issue has not been resolved, s/he may submit an appeal to the IPO director for the Off-Campus Study Committee to review.

5. In the grade appeal the student should include a written explanation of the concern about the grade and copies of all communication with the overseas instructor and program. The Director of International Programs may consult with the Off-Campus Study Committee regarding the appeal but will be responsible for the decision.

6. The student may request that the IPO director present his/her appeal to the Associate Dean who is responsible for International Programs to review. The Associate Dean will review the appeal, and determine a final resolution. The decision of the Associate Dean is final.

7. A grade appeal based on a disability will be referred to the Dean of Students Office, which is located in Arthur G. Coons Administrative Center 111. See http://www.oxy.edu/x10031.xml for detailed information about the Grievance Policy or call (323) 259-2969 to contact the Coordinator of Disability Services. For general information about disability services, please visit http://www.oxy.edu/DisabilityServices.xml.