SEAS Student Handbook

MU (make-up examination): given to a student who has failed the final examination
in a course but who has been granted the privilege of taking a second examination in
an effort to improve his or her final grade. The privilege is granted only when there
is a wide discrepancy between the quality of the student’s work during the term and
his or her performance on the final examination, and when, in the instructor’s
judgment, the reasons justify a make-up examination. A student may be granted the
mark of MU in only two courses in one term, or, alternatively, in three or more
courses in one term if their total point value is not more than 7 credits. The student
must remove MU by taking a special examination administered as soon as the
instructor can schedule it.
P/F (pass/fail): Undergraduate students may take up to two courses of the 9-11
nontechnical elective credit on a P/F basis. These courses must be at the 3000-level
or higher and must be courses that can be taken P/F by students attending Columbia
College (e.g., instruction classes in foreign language and core curriculum classes are
not eligible to be taken pass/fail). These courses may not count toward the minor,
and cannot be uncovered under any circumstances. Students may take only one
class P/F per semester to count toward the 128 points, exclusive of physical
education credit and any other course that is taught only on a P/F basis. Please note
that physical education classes are the only courses taught solely on a P/F basis that
may apply toward the 128 credits for the degree. The P/F option does not count
toward degree requirements for graduate students and cannot be uncovered under
any circumstances.
W (official withdrawal): a mark given to students who are granted a leave of absence
after the drop deadline for the semester. The grade of W, meaning “official
withdrawal,” will be recorded as the official grade for the course in lieu of a letter
grade. The grade of W will zero out the credits for the class so the student’s GPA
will not be affected.
Name Changes
Columbia University recognizes that some students prefer to identify themselves by a
First Name and/or Middle Name, other than their Legal Name. For this reason, beginning
in the Spring 2016 semester, the University has enabled students to use a "Preferred
Name" where possible in the course of University business and education.
Under Columbia's Preferred Name policy, any student may choose to identify a Preferred
First and/or Middle Name in addition to the Legal Name. Students may request this
service via a link on SSOL. The student's Preferred Name may be used in many
University contexts, including SSOL, class rosters, CourseWorks, and Canvas, and on ID
Cards. For some other records the University is legally required to use a student's Legal
Name. However, whenever reasonably possible, a student's "Preferred Name" will be
used.
Students may change their name of record by submitting a name change affidavit to the
Student Service Center. Affidavits are available from this office or online.
31