WPI Acronyms

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Faculty Elected Committees

       CHB  	Campus Hearing Board

CAO Committee on Academic Operations CAP Committee on Academic Policy FAP Committee on Administrative and Financial Policy COAP Committee on Appointments and Promotions CGSR Committee on Graduate Studies and Research COG Committee on Governance CASL Committee on Advising and Student Life CTAF Committee on Tenure and Academic Freedom

See Bylaw One of the Faculty Handbook for definitions of each committee.


IQP - “Interactive Qualifying Project”. This undergraduate degree requirement is a project which relates technology to society. The projects are usually done in teams during the junior year. Many of these projects are now performed off campus. An IQP is the equivalent of three or more courses.


MQP - “Major Qualifying Project”. This undergraduate degree requirement is a project in the student’s major academic area. The projects are usually done in teams during the senior year. Some of these projects are performed off campus. An MQP is the equivalent of three or more courses.


NR - “No Record”. See “Punting”.


Punting - For WPI undergraduates the grading system does not include a failing grade (actually neither an “F” or a “D” exists) for regular classes. (A “Not Acceptable” grade, essential a failing grade, does not exist for projects.) Rather, students who fail a course have an “NR” (no record) reported to the registrar. Formally on their transcript, there will be no record of having taken the course. As term progresses, some students recognize that they will not pass a course. Some will simply stop attending the course. These students have “punted” the course.


Quad - The “Quad” (short for quadrangle) is the grassy open space between Harrington gymnasium and Daniels Hall. The space serves as a common social area, particularly during nice weather and during major school events (e.g., homecoming weekend).


Snowflake - Because of the grading system at WPI (see NR and “Punting”), an undergraduate failing all regular courses in a term will receive a report card that is empty. That’s right! The report card will list their name, but will not list any courses. You receive a blank, historically white, piece of paper. You got a snowflake.


Suff - “Suff” is short for “Sufficiency,” which was the name of the Humanities & Arts degree requirement until recently, when the requirement was modified and the name changed to “Humanities and Arts Requirement.” Especially during the transition period, “suff” may remain in the student lexicon. Students generally complete this requirement in their sophomore or junior year.