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Faculty Grading

Faculty Quick Reference

Final grades are entered through Faculty Center.

Instructions for accessing grade rosters, submitting grades, and making grade changes are maintained by the Cornell University Registrar. 

Faculty should refer to the Registrar’s Faculty Grading page for:

  • Grade roster instructions
  • Grade symbol definitions
  • Grade submission deadlines
  • Grade change procedures

University grading policies can be found in the Courses of Study – Grading Guidelines and the Faculty Legislation on Grading Policies.  

Key principles include:

  • Each semester’s work is treated as a separate academic unit.
  • Grades must reflect work completed during the semester.
  • Grades may not be changed after the semester because additional work was later completed.
  • The instructor of record has the authority to evaluate student work and assign the final grade.
  • Grades must not be arbitrary, capricious, or influenced by discriminatory considerations.
When an INC is Appropriate

An Incomplete (INC) may be assigned only when the following university criteria are met:

  1. The student has substantial passing equity in the course.
  2. The student is unable to complete the remaining work due to circumstances beyond their control, such as serious illness or a family emergency.

An INC may not be assigned:

  • Because the student did not submit work on time
  • To allow the student extra time by choice
  • To avoid assigning a low grade
  • Due to pressure related to grade submission deadlines

It is the student's responsibility to initiate the request, but the decision to grant an INC rests with the instructor.

Managing INCs in Faculty Center (requests and extensions)

INC requests, grade changes, and INC extensions are managed through Faculty Center.

When assigning an INC, instructors will be prompted to enter:

  • Confirmation that the request meets Faculty Handbook criteria
  • Description of the remaining work
  • Deadline for completion
  • Expected final grade if the work is completed (or TBD)
  • Current grade based on work completed to date
  • Registrar action if the deadline is missed (for example, convert to F/U or assign a grade based on completed work)

You may request an extension of an existing INC through Faculty Center when appropriate.

When to Contact CALS Student Services

Faculty are encouraged to consult CALS Student Services or their Department Advising Coordinator when:

  • You are unsure whether the course is required for a student’s degree
  • The student is an expected graduate in their final term
  • The situation does not clearly meet INC criteria
  • The requested completion timeline is unusually long

Early consultation helps prevent misunderstandings related to degree progress, graduation eligibility, and academic standing.

Expected Graduates (Final Semester)

If an INC is being considered for a student in their final semester:

  • If the course is required for the degree:
    Graduation will be postponed until the work is completed.
  • If the course is not required and all other degree requirements are satisfied:
    • The degree will be conferred, and
    • The INC will follow the instructor's selected grade action.

Faculty are strongly encouraged to verify the student’s degree status before assigning an INC in the final term.

Final Exams and End-of-Semester Exercises

The final exam schedules are maintained by the Cornell University Registrar.

University policies on final exams and end-of-semester exercises are available on the Registrar’s Final Exam Policies page.

Additional key academic deadlines (including grade submission deadlines) are available on the Key Academic Dates calendar.