An incomplete grade (I) is to be used only when a student has not completed the requirements of the course for reasons beyond the student’s control, such as illness or equipment failure in the case of laboratory classes. In addition, the class must have been essentially completed so that only an examination remains or a paper or project already well underway needs to be completed. An I may not be given for failure to submit work on time because of inadequate planning or to extend time to improve a grade.

The student must complete the work within the first two weeks (ten class days) of the following semester in which the student is enrolled at DePauw. Exceptions to the two-week deadline may be granted by the Petitions Committee. When the student completes the work, a letter grade is recorded. If the I is not completed within the time limit and the student has not been approved for an extension, the grade becomes an F.

Students who withdraw and return to campus more than a year (two semesters) following the incomplete may not complete the course. The grade will be converted to a W (Withdraw) provided the student demonstrates that the original I grade was for appropriate reasons.

Students may not graduate with an incomplete grade on their record.