CLAS requires that an Incomplete be given only if the following are met:

• The unfinished part of the student's work is small.
• The work is unfinished for reasons acceptable to the instructor.
• The student's standing in the course is satisfactory.

These requirements must be further defined by the instructor since they depend on the context of the situation.

• However, CLAS never expects faculty to tutor a student; the student must be capable of finishing the work independently.

The questions below are meant to help any instructor to decide if a student will successfully finish the Incomplete by the deadline set by the instructor and student.

Please use this form so deadlines are clear to the student:

INCOMPLETE FORM https://clas.uiowa.edu/sites/default/files/CLAS%20UNDERGRADUATE%20INCOMPLETE%20COMPLETION%20AGREEMENT(1).pdf

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE AGREEING TO AN INCOMPLETE

Questions about the student’s performance before the absences occurred:

• Before the longer absence or absences occurred, did the student usually attend class (or attend class according to SDS accommodations as discussed with the instructor)?
• Has the student communicated reliably with the instructor as needed?
• Was the student’s written work submitted by the relevant deadlines?
• Did the student usually participate by speaking, asking questions, and through active listening when given opportunities to do so (or participate as indicated by SDS accommodations)?
• Did the student take the previous exams or quizzes at the day and time scheduled?
• If the student’s absence was related to COVID-19, was the self-submit report received by the instructor?
• If not related to COVID-19, did the student provide the instructor with the related absence form and/or documentation if the absence was more than one or two days and was requested by the instructor?

Questions about the course size, level, and structure:

• Does the course build on earlier course components, with the course’s learning outcomes depending on the student having competence in a previous course component? Was the student in attendance during these key modules and thus has enough background to complete the course?
• If the course built around discrete modules, can the student reenter the course and finish it without making up the missed modules while still being able to achieve the course’s learning outcomes? 
• Do students in the course frequently learn through interactive and applied, systemic skill-building and/or practice during the class? Can this learning be “made up” in short experiences or alternative activities outside of class?
• Given the level of the course and the complexity of the content matter, does the student have enough prior knowledge about the subject matter, perhaps from related courses, to successfully complete the course and to achieve competency in its learning outcomes with little additional instructional support?
• Given the class size, what approach to helping a student would enable the same opportunities to be extended to others in similar situations?

The student should also be encouraged to discuss the matter with an academic advisor and may be referred to my staff in the Academic Programs and Student Development Office (clasps@uiowa.edu) if the student expresses concerns related to probation, dismissal, overall academic standing, and graduation requirements, for example. UI athletes and international students may also be reminded to contact those offices.

The last day to drop a course is this Friday, May 7, at 4: 30 p.m.

Other important resources may be found on the Quick Guide to Helping Students, available from this page: https://dos.uiowa.edu/assistance/quick-guide-for-helping-students/

Thank you and please feel free to consult with me or with the staff in my office at clasps@uiowa.edu or at 319 335-2633.