F Grades vs. WU Grades

The distinction between WU and F (or NC) is not about academic rigor; it is about the basis on which a grade is determined. The WU grade indicates that a student failed the course because they did not officially withdraw and completed insufficient coursework, rather than for evaluated academic performance.   

Core Principle

The key to determining the correct grade to assign is the instructor’s professional judgment of whether the student’s participation and/or completion of coursework provides sufficient evidence to support a fair and valid evaluation of the student’s achievement of the course learning outcomes.

Ask yourself: Has the student participated in and/or completed sufficient coursework to adequately evaluate their academic performance?

Policy Reference: CSU Executive Order 1037

Key Definitions

Assign an F (or NC) when:

      • The student completed enough coursework for you to evaluate their academic performance, even if the performance was poor, and
      • The grade is based on demonstrable academic work (exams, assignments, projects, participation, etc.).

An F reflects academic failure, not failure to withdraw.

Assign a WU when all of the following are true:

      • The student did not officially withdraw from the course, and
      • The student stopped attending or participating, and
      • There is insufficient completed coursework to assign a grade based on academic performance.

A WU indicates that the failure resulted from non-attendance or lack of participation and failure to withdraw, rather than from assessed academic work.

When assigning a WU, faculty are required to report the last known date of attendance or participation to the best of their ability.

Examples

• Student attends briefly and submits no assignments or exams: WU.
• Student completes minimal early work but stops participating and does not withdraw: WU.
• Student completes most assignments and exams but earns a failing average: F.
• Student attends irregularly but completes major graded work (enough to assess performance): F.

Flowchart showing grading decision process: If a student has participated or completed sufficient coursework to evaluate academic performance, assign an appropriate grade (including F or NC if necessary). If not, assign a WU grade.

Policy References: