Zer-ouch 

Instituted in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the State University of New York at Albany, this term is really a "penalty" given to a student when her/his homework assignment is not turned in. Each zer-ouch contributes a negative 3.0 (-3.0) score to her/his course's homework-based GPA.

(Disclaimer: It is necessary that the course homework contribute majorly to the class GPA, or the Zer-ouch loses its impact.)

"One zer-ouch won't hurt you. It's when you start collecting them that it becomes a problem."

Zer-ouch by ATM 210, 211 & 311 Boot Camp Graduate/Survivor January 23, 2005