Grading Policy Exceptions and Guidance for Spring 2021

November 13, 2020
Categories: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Messaging, General News, Messages from the Provost Tags: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Messaging, Messages from the Provost

Dear colleagues,

Over the past several months, we have made extraordinary changes to keep the campus safe and to continue delivering our instructional programs. With the input of many groups, including Faculty Council, Faculty Executive Committee, the Future Planning Advisory Group, Deans, Associate Deans and Student Government Association as well as results from a student survey, I would like to share with you new guidance in three areas.

GRADING POLICY

The Faculty Executive Committee (on behalf of the Faculty Council) has approved an amendment to the current Academic Policy guiding Pass/No Credit (P/N) for undergraduate students for the 2020-2021 academic year (Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021) to allow undergraduate students to elect Pass/No Credit (P/N) for up to three undergraduate courses for the entire academic year, and no more than two per term.

The grading policy exception will be implemented as follows:

  • For the Fall 2020 term, up to two courses can be elected by December 14.

  • For Spring and Summer 2021 terms, students must elect Pass/No Credit (P/N) by the date identified in the Academic Calendar (January 27 for spring term and May 25 for summer full term).

Students will be allowed to elect P/N for any enrolled course(s), however if a student elects a grade of Pass (P) they will not be able to progress to any course that requires a C or better without departmental approval. This amends the current Academic Policy guiding Pass/No Credit for the 2020-2021 academic year and applies to undergraduate students only.

COURSE FORMAT CHANGES

To the extent possible, our goal for the spring is to have an experience that is as predictable as possible for both students and faculty. For this reason, we have adjusted the schedule by moving spring break and planning for widespread testing as students return to campus. As part of this effort, I am asking for your help to ensure course format consistency throughout the semester.

Students must be assured when they register for classes that the course delivery format (in-person, hybrid or remote, synchronous or asynchronous) will not change during the semester. Shifts in format create disruption for both students and faculty.

Once the course schedule is made available for registration on November 30, it should be considered final. After that, the University will not ask faculty to make changes except for exceptional circumstances related specifically to COVID-19. Further, no faculty members should alter a course format without explicit permission from their dean.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

The FEC has reinforced the importance of student engagement in online courses through their recently released recommendations. Among those, departments are asked to offer an appropriate balance between synchronous and asynchronous course offerings, and instructors of all courses (regardless of delivery method) should provide regular opportunities for substantive interaction, engagement and building community with their students, and should respond promptly to student emails. Faculty are reminded that more information, assistance and training is available to them.

More details and FAQs regarding these measures and guidelines can be found on the Provost’s site. Thank you for your continued cooperation as we maintain quality instruction and support our students throughout the pandemic.

Sincerely,

Joan F. Lorden
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs