Numerical Analysis II, Spring semester 2020

Dropping classes and converting classes to Pass/Fail

Posted Mar 19, 2020

This message has been sent to Spring 2020 Teaching Faculty

Dear Colleagues:

I write to you with information regarding new rules on Pass/Fail and
an update with regard to add/drop in these current circumstances.

The University Senate has voted to amend the requirement for Pass/Fail
for this semester and the Provost’s Office supports this
change. Therefore, effective for spring semester 2020 only, the usual
limitations on students for electing to take courses on a Pass/Fail
basis will be suspended.

Individual schools and colleges will determine which courses may count
toward majors and minor requirements if taken Pass/Fail. General
Education courses which are taken Pass/Fail will count toward the
general education requirements.  The 26-credit and scholastic
probation restrictions are suspended. Pass/Fail courses from the
spring 2020 Semester will not count toward the three-course limit.
Students may elect Pass/Fail grading at any time by the last day of
classes of spring 2020. In the event that students select Pass/Fail
grading, the course is graded in the usual way by the instructor and
the instructor submits a letter grade. This letter grade is translated
into a ‘P’ (‘D-‘ or above) or remains an ‘F.’ In neither event will a
course taken under the Pass/Fail option be included in the computation
of the semester or cumulative grade point average, but a grade below
‘C’ makes the student ineligible for Dean's List. Students should
consult with their advisors before electing to complete courses on a
P/F basis.

Our current By-Laws related to dropping a class state, “No student is
permitted to drop a course after the ninth week of classes or to drop
more than one course after the first ten days of classes unless on the
recommendation of the advisor, an exception is made by the dean or
designee of the school or college in which the student is
enrolled. Exceptions are made only for extenuating circumstances
beyond the student's control.” We feel that the current situation
clearly constitutes a case of extenuating circumstances beyond
students’ control and, therefore, students may be permitted to drop
courses up until the last day of classes.

Sincerely,

John

John A. Elliott
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs