In my email on March 23, I promised that we would continue to communicate with you about academic decisions that have been made. Below I will give you a summary of those decisions, and you can find more detailed information at the University COVID-19 FAQs.
Alternate Pass/Fail option – Undergraduate students now have the option to choose an alternate Pass/Fail grading scale for any course that had been face-to-face but moved online for the rest of the semester. This is not a decision to rush into, which is why you have until Friday, April 24 to submit your decision to the Registrar’s office. You must consult with your academic advisor about this decision and fill out a form.
The new grading option includes the following grades:
- PV denotes work at the C- level or better.
- DV denotes work at any “D” grade level (D+, D, D-).
- FV (Fail) denotes failing work.
For more detailed information on how to select this option, visit the University COVID-19 FAQs.
Depending on the academic program, these grades can fulfill program requirements. These grades will not be computed in your Spring 2020 semester GPA. Graduate courses and courses that started online at the beginning of this semester are not eligible for the alternate pass/fail grading scale option.
Withdrawal deadline extension – The withdrawal deadline for courses has been extended until Friday, April 24. Please be aware that course withdrawals may affect your financial aid. You should contact the staff in the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.
These are important decisions that encompass a lot of factors, including your academic major or minor program requirements, and you do not have to make them alone. Reach out to your academic advisor or other faculty and staff for advice. We are here to help you make the most informed choices possible and to help you finish the semester during this unprecedented and stressful time. You and your education are important to us.
Best wishes,
Larissa M. Smith, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs