Spring 2020 Grading Options for Undergraduate Classes

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This message to all students, faculty and staff has been approved by Dr. Sally McRorie, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Before deciding whether to change one or more of their Spring 2020 courses to be graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) basis, students should consider:

Grade Point Average Implications

  • For all classes, an ‘S’ grade is equivalent to a C- or higher. A ‘U’ grade is equivalent to a D+ or lower.
  • If you receive a ‘U’ grade you will not earn credit for the course just as if you earned an ‘F”.
  • If you believe you might earn a D+, D, or D- in one of your classes, it might be best to not select the S/U option as remaining in the course as graded will allow you to earn credit. Keep in mind the D+, D, or D- grade will be included in your GPA calculation.
  • All S/U graded coursework is not included in your grade point average (GPA). It will neither raise your GPA, nor lower it.
  • If you decide to change any of your courses to S/U,  the decision is final after April 12, 2020.
  • If you are trying to raise your GPA to achieve academic good standing, S/U grades will not increase your GPA. The University has determined that students who select all S/U grades for the Spring 2020 will maintain their current level for academic standing for the next term. For example: if you are on probation currently and you need to raise your cumulative GPA to above a 2.0 to remove probation, selecting all S/U grades will not change your academic standing. You will remain on probation.
  • If your academic standing is currently “warning”, “probation”, or “reinstated from dismissal”, and you elect to have some or all letter-graded courses, your academic standing will either remain at its current level or improve. It will not worsen.
  • If you are enrolled in any prerequisite courses for a degree program or combined pathway, consider any grade or GPA requirements before choosing the S/U option for those courses.
  • If your academic program requires grades for licensure/certification, you should consult with the program’s advisor before changing any course to S/U.
  • It is important to note that some courses are not eligible for S/U grading. You will be notified by your department/college if any of your courses do not qualify for S/U grading.

Grade Point Average Implications Based on Certain Academic Goals

  • Dean’s List and President’s List require at least 12 hours of letter-graded coursework with a 3.5 or 4.0 term GPA, respectively.
  • If you are trying to raise your GPA for entry into a limited access major, S/U grades will not increase your GPA.
  • If you are trying to raise your GPA to remain eligible to participate in NCAA athletics, S/U grades will not increase your GPA and at this time, the NCAA has not ruled on whether an exception might be made for S/U grades earned in the Spring 2020 term.

Graduation Implications

  • All S/U graded coursework will count as attempted hours and if successfully passed, earned hours toward graduation and other academic requirements.
  • All current graduation requirements restricting the number of S/U credit hours within a term (1 course) or degree (18 hours for undergraduate) will be suspended for the Spring 2020 term.

Financial Aid Implications

  • If you are a Benacquisto scholarship recipient, you will need to maintain a cumulative overall 3.0 GPA or higher and earn all credit hours you attempt this spring for your scholarship to be renewed next year. A grade of ‘S’ will only be awarded if you have earned the equivalent of C- or higher in the course. The ‘S’ grade will earn credit but will not be applied to your GPA. In other words, they will neither increase or decrease your GPA. A grade of ‘U’ will not earn hours and, just like an ‘F,’ result in the loss of your scholarship.
  • If you are a Bright Futures Medallion award recipient, you will need to maintain a cumulative overall GPA of 2.75 or higher and earn all credit hours you attempt this spring for your scholarship to be renewed next year.  A grade of ‘S’ will only be awarded if you have earned the equivalent of C- or higher in the course. The ‘S’ grade will earn credit but will not be applied to your GPA. A grade of ‘U’ will not earn hours and, just like an ‘F,’ result in the loss of your scholarship.
  • If you are a Bright Futures Academic award recipient, you will need to have a cumulative overall GPA of 3.00 GPA or higher and earn all credit hours you attempt this spring for your scholarship to be renewed for next year. A grade of ‘S’ will only be awarded if you have earned the equivalent of C- or higher in the course. The ‘S’ grade will earn credit but will not be applied to your GPA. A grade of ‘U’ will not earn hours and, just like an ‘F,’ result in the loss of your scholarship.
  • If you have worked with the Financial Aid Office and your academic advisor to create an Academic Plan to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) guidelines, it is important to earn credit in all the courses on your academic plan.  An ‘S’ grade will earn credit and is considered as a passing grade.  A ‘U’ grade is not considered a passing grade and does not earn credit hours.  Keep in mind, an ‘S’ grade will only be awarded if you have a C- or better in the course. If you choose to receive a letter-grade, a ‘D-’ grade or better earns credit and is considered passing.
  • If you choose the S/U grade option for all your courses this spring, your GPA will not change after grades post. Your cumulative GPA after Fall 2019 will be considered for all financial aid determinations.

To request S/U in classes that use letter graduates, see instructions on How to Change Letter Grades to S/U Grades.