University of Missouri School of Law: Student Handbook Records, Grades, Class, Ranks & Exams

Records, Grades, Class, Ranks & Exams

Student Records

The MU School of Law complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding rights to and privacy of student educational records. A release form is available in Room 203 for students who wish to arrange for the release of their Law School academic records under certain conditions. If a release is executed, the School will not normally notify the student that information is being released in each particular instance, nor will the student be provided with a copy of the information released. School personnel will exercise discretion in all cases.

The following types of information are normally released with student consent:

Routine information (address and phone number) to inquirers where the School believes the request is not by a salesman, collection agency, or other person where the release might prove detrimental to the student.
Routine information regarding academic status and performance to student groups, honoraries or other groups where the School believes the student is under consideration for membership or other recognition.
Routine information as to academic status and performance to parents, spouse or close personal friend if the inquiry is friendly.
Any institution where the student is under consideration for financial aid or admission as a student.
Bar admission authorities where the student is under consideration for admission to practice.
Prospective employers where the student is under consideration for employment or appointment.

The student may decide which persons or institutions may receive records by completing the release in an appropriate manner.

Classification of Records and Files

If the student has consented to full release of all information in his/her files, his/her files will be classified as "OPEN." If the student has given partial consent for release of some information, the files will be classified as "PARTLY CLOSED." If no consent is given or no consent form is filed, the files will be classified as "FULLY CLOSED." The files will be handled in the following manner:

"Open" records and files. Information will be furnished in response to oral and written inquiries to the extent authorized by the blanket consent form.
"Partly Closed" records and files. Persons making oral inquiries by telephone or in person usually will be told the student's file is closed and that the inquirer must submit the student's signed written request for disclosure before any information will be released. In most cases of telephone inquiries it will not be feasible to check such files to determine what information, if any, may be disclosed.
In the case of written inquiries, the student's file will be checked to determine what information, if any, may be disclosed. If there is a qualified consent on file that permits full disclosure of the information requested, the information will be provided. If the qualified consent permits only partial disclosure of the information requested, that part of the information will be provided but the inquirer will be advised that the student has not consented to disclosure of the balance of the information and the inquirer must submit the student's signed written request for disclosure before any additional information will be released. If the qualified consent permits no disclosure of the information requested, the case will be treated as if there were no consent on file.
"Fully Closed" records and files. Persons making oral or written inquiries will be advised that the student's file is closed and that the inquirer must submit the student's signed written request for disclosure before any information will be released.

Transcripts and Permanent Record Cards

Students may see their permanent record cards (upon which grades are recorded) at any time. However, during an approximate six-week period following final exams when new grades are posted and statistical reports are made, the Records Office is very busy and requests to see the permanent records should only be made in cases of urgent necessity. The School is always willing to verify grades.

Transcripts are NEVER automatically sent to anyone by the Law School at the end of a semester. Transcripts are available only upon request of the student. Official Transcript requests should be made to the University of Missouri-Columbia Registrar's Office located in 130 Jesse Hall, 573-882-8252. For more information about requesting transcripts, including online forms, visit the Registrar's website.

Aside from law school personnel and the Registrar's Office, no one except the student may see the record card or obtain a transcript unless the student authorizes it. If a student wishes a relative or a friend to receive a copy of the record, the Records Office must have written authorization from the student.

Grades and Grading

The grades recorded in the School of Law are the official grades and the determination of grade point averages and satisfaction of law school requirements is based on the grades recorded in the School of Law.

Grades are recorded in the School of Law as numerical grades ranging from 65 through 100 or, where authorized, by the letters "S" (Satisfactory) and "U" (Unsatisfactory). The grades of S and of 70 through 100 are passing grades and carry course credit. The grades of U and of 65 through 69 are failing grades and carry no course credit. A 70 is the lowest passing grade and a cumulative grade point average of 77.5 is the minimum required for graduation.

With the exception of Independent Research, if grading is to be done other than anonymously, the syllabus shall so state. Professors do not know the names of students until after grades are turned in to the Dean's Office. Professors may not obtain the names of students prior to assigning a class rank order for grades. The rank order may not be changed after the names are known.

Explanation of the Grading Scale (PDF)

Computation of Grade Point Average (GPA)

Grade point averages are based only on law school courses taken at this school and only upon "graded courses." For the purpose of computing grade point averages a "graded course" is one which is graded on the 65-100 scale.

A grade point average is obtained as follows:

The "grade points" for a graded course are obtained by multiplying the numerical grade for the course by the credit hours for the course.
The "grade point average" is obtained by dividing the total grade points for all graded courses by the total number of hours for all graded courses.

In computing grade point averages, all graded courses are included. When a course is repeated, the grade and hours for both takings are included in computing cumulative grade point averages subject to the following exception:

A student who is required to repeat a course will have his or her cumulative grade point average computed as follows: If the grade on the repeated course is 81 or higher, neither the hours nor the grade for the previous taking of the course will thereafter be used in the computation of the student's cumulative grade point average. The earlier grade will, however, remain on the transcript.

Note: When a course is repeated only the hours for one taking may be credited toward meeting the graduation requirement of having passed 89 hours, without regard to how the course is treated for computing grade point averages.

Grade point averages are computed for each student by semester, year, and cumulatively. The fall semester grade point average includes the courses taken in the fall semester and courses taken in the preceding summer session. The yearly grade point average is based upon courses taken during a student's first, second and third years.

Dean's List

A student qualifies for inclusion on the Dean’s List with a semester average of 86 or greater.

Final Examination Procedures

The examination schedule is specified by the Associate Dean.
All students should arrive and be settled in the examination room 15 minutes prior to the scheduled beginning of the examination.
Arrivals after the examination begins should report immediately to Room 203.
The “Instruction(s)” pages of any examination is reserved for all special instructions for the examination. This includes

the length of the examination;
any special instructions for collaboration or material to be used during the examination;
any special instructions for turning the examination or parts thereof;
any other general instructions not a substantive part of the exam itself;

Each student will have a different number on each examination. A three-part, perforated “slip” printed with a number on each of the three parts will be distributed to each student at the time of the examination. The student will complete each portion of the exam number slip and tear off the bottom part for his/her records. (If more than one bluebook is used for any one examination, the student will carefully number the extra book(s) with the assigned number.) At the end of the examination, students will turn in their bluebooks with the remaining two portions attached. The proctor collecting the examinations will remove the identifying second part to be retained in the office and the professor will receive the bluebook bearing only the examination number.
It is important for students to retain their portion of the number slip in order to review an examination or check grades when posted.
There must be an accounting for all copies of an examination. As a result, the person administering the exam will:

notify students to complete the exam “slip” on the front of the Bluebook.
At the conclusion of the exams, these exam “slips” are checked against the class roster. (Any portion of the exam “slip” that contains the student’s name is removed by the law school staff before the exam is given to a faculty member);
collect all copies of the examination itself. All copies of the exam must be turned in with the exam answer;

Examinations are scheduled in rooms that accommodate the taking of that examination. A list of the examination rooms is posted in various places in the law school prior to the last day of classes. This list specifies the place at which examinations will be picked up and which examination rooms are typing rooms.
Examinations are distributed in the rooms scheduled and in no other rooms.
Separate instructions are provided for those students taking exams on computer. The instructions for such students consist of the “Instructions” on the exam, these Procedures and the Exams on Computer instructions. Additional information about Exams on Computer can be found at: http://law.missouri.edu/students/eoc/
Students may work on their examinations in assigned rooms only and in designated computer rooms. It is the responsibility of the student to return the completed examination to the place where it is to be picked up, at or before the time scheduled for the end of the examination.
A student who chooses to leave a designated examination room is responsible for returning their examination to the designated place at or prior to the end of the examination period.
Reasonable attempts will be made to separate those taking exams on computers from those who are writing their exams. It may not be possible to provide different rooms for both groups. During Make-up or conflicted exams, students taking exams on computers may be commingled with those who are writing exams.
Earplugs are permitted in any exam room.
The items below are NOT permitted in any examination room, unless SPECIFICALLY authorized by the “Instructions” at the beginning of the written examination, or specifically permitted pursuant to the law school policy relative to exams on computer. These items should not be brought into the exam room. If they are, they MUST be turned into the Proctor PRIOR TO THE START OF THE EXAMINATION. The Proctor will keep these items until the examination has concluded :

Cellular or other telephones;
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) or any device having the characteristics of a PDA
Laser Pointers;
Any device that allows for the recording of data, or the playing of recorded data, including, but not limited to IPods, MP3 players, CD players, DVD players, cassette players or recorders;
The devices above should not be brought into the examination room. The person administering the exam in each room will, however, have a box to collect any such device while the exam is being taken.

Smoking is NEVER permitted in any examination room.
Examinations are distributed by the proctor unless the professor elects to do so. Upon receipt of an examination, each student places their initials beside their names on the class roll. The proctor writes the time the examination begins and ends on the blackboard.
Students in the authorized examination rooms are given a ten minute warning prior to the end of the examination period. The warning is given by the proctor unless the instructor elects to do so. Once the ten minute warning is given, no student may leave the examination room. Students shall remain quietly seated.
The examination ends at the earliest of the following:

The time written on the blackboard by the proctor or at the conclusion of the time designated on the examination. In some rooms, a law school staff member may say “Stop,” but the failure to so indicate does not allow a student to continue to write after the time limit has expired. No writing whatsoever is permitted after the exam ends;
The time a student submits a written examination to the proctor collecting exams and leaves the immediate line of sight of that proctor. Whether such a student has left the immediate line of sight of the proctor is a question left to the discretion of the proctor, it being recognized that as more students turn in exams, the sight line of the proctor will be decreased;
The time a student taking an exam on computer submits their exam and exits from the exam writing software.

When the examination period ends, students who have not earlier completed the examination go to the place announced for examination pickup and hand to the proctor the examination, bluebooks and/or answer sheet and all scratch paper, used and unused. The material is checked at that time to be sure exam numbers are on each examination, bluebook and/or answer sheet and then placed in receptacles provided for that purpose. Students should not walk away until the proctor has confirmed they have all materials.
At the conclusion of each examination, each student again places their initials by their name on the class roll. The proctor checks to be sure all examinations and materials that should be returned are returned.

Postponed or Delayed Examinations

The opportunity to take postponed final examinations is provided only to those students who qualify under the School of Law’s Examination Conflict procedure or who have emergencies which prevent taking final examination(s) at the appointed time. The following are considered emergencies: critical illness of parents, spouse, or children, death in the immediate family, student illness of such seriousness that the student is under a physician's care or of such nature as to be physically prevented from taking an exam. Weddings of family members or friends, vacation plans and reservations, job interviews, and the like are not considered emergencies.

Exceptions must be arranged with the Dean's Office and the course instructor. Failure to take a postponed exam will result in the student receiving an automatic 65 (or "F") as the final grade.

If a student has two examinations scheduled on the same day, the student may elect to reschedule one of the exams at the Associate Dean's direction in consultation with the professor. If a student has three examinations scheduled over two or three consecutive days, the Associate Dean may elect to reschedule one of the three examinations.

Rescheduling of an examination is to be accomplished through consultation with the Associate Dean. The Associate Dean will generally discuss any proposed change in examination for a student with the Faculty involved prior to the change.

During Make-up or conflicted exams, students taking exams on computers may be commingled with those who are writing exams.

Automatic Fs

Grade sheets are provided for each course by the Registrar's Office at the end of each semester. All students registered for each course are listed on these sheets and grades must appear for each student listed.

When the professors turn in their grade sheets to the Administrative Office, each grade sheet is carefully checked. For each student absent from a final, an attempt is made to ascertain whether there is a postponed exam permit on file, or whether the student dropped the course or withdrew from school too late for the Registrar's Office to record this before sending the grade sheets to the Law School. If no authorized reason is found for the absence of any student from a final, a 65 (or "F") is recorded.

A professor may, at his or her discretion, record an incomplete for any student. Such student must complete the work for the course by the end of the next semester in which the student is enrolled, or the next semester the course is offered.

When a postponed exam permit is issued, it will indicate a future time for the student to take the final examination. If the student fails to take the exam at the designated time, the student receives an automatic 65 (or "F") for that course.

Rules for Determining Class Level

First year student: a student who has received less than 24 hours of law school grades. (Note: this includes numerical and pass-fail grades.)

A student completes the first year at the end of the semester or summer session when the student first receives 24 or more hours of law school grades. (Note: This is 24 hours of grades, not 24 hours of credit toward graduation.)

Second year student: A student who has completed the first year but has more than one year's credit to satisfy for graduation. (One year's credit is normally 30-32 hours.)

A student completes the second year at the end of the semester (but not summer session) when the student first receives 57 or more hours credited toward graduation.

Note: In cases of students in unusual situations (i.e., part-time or unusually heavy or light semesters) a determination of completion of the second year may be made on the basis of dividing the student's law school career into relatively equal periods for first, second and third years. However, students who complete the first year in two semesters (fall and winter) and then enroll in a summer session and fall semester will NOT be deemed to have completed the second year at the end of that second fall semester even if the student has received 57 hours of credit toward graduation.

Note: Students admitted with advanced standing will be treated for class listing purposes as if the credit awarded for work at the other school were taken here. However, the grades received at the other school will not be used in computing the student's grade point average.

Third year student: A student who has completed the second year but who has not graduated.

A student completes the third year when the student satisfies the requirements for graduation.

Class Rankings

At the end of each semester, students are included in either the first year, second year or third year class lists.

Fall Semester Class Lists

The fall semester first year class list includes:
- First year students who have not completed the first year.
The fall semester second year class list includes:
- First year students who completed the first year at end of fall semester (and those completing the first year at the end of the preceding summers session).
- Second year students who have not completed the second year.
The fall semester third year class list includes:
- Second year students who completed the second year at the end of the fall semester.
- Third year students who have not graduated.
- Third year students who graduated at the end of the fall semester or at the end of the preceding summer session.

Winter Semester Class Lists

The winter semester first year class list includes:
- First year students who have not completed the first year; and first year students who completed the first year at the end of the winter semester.
The winter semester second year class list includes: second year students who have not completed the second year; and second year students who completed the second year at the end of the winter semester.
The winter semester third year class list includes:
- Third year students who have not graduated.
- Third year students who graduated at the end of the winter semester.

Rankings

All students are given a class ranking upon completion of the first and second years and a graduation class ranking.

The first and second year class rankings are the position of the student on the first, second or third year class listing for the semester when the student completes the first or second year.

A student who completes the first year at the end of the summer session is given a class ranking based upon where his or her first year cumulative GPA would have placed him or her in the preceding winter semester first year class list.

The graduating class ranking is determined as of the end of the summer session and includes all students graduating within the academic year (preceding fall and winter semesters and current summer session).