As the 2020-2021 academic year enters its final semester, Shippensburg University Provost Tom Ormond is once again offering students a pass/fail grading option.
This is the third consecutive semester with the option. According to an email announcement sent Feb. 11, students can elect to replace the letter grades A, A-, B, B-, C+, and C will be replaced with a PASS, while grade D will be replaced with PASS*.
All failing grades will remain. Students’ GPA will not be affected by a PASS option but will still be decreased by an F grade. This option can be applied to one or more of a student’s courses, according to the email. After final grades are posted on May 28, students may choose their preferred grading method. Students will have five days to decide which option they are choosing. Directions for the change will be emailed to student accounts from the registrar in early May.
In the announcement, students are strongly encouraged to contemplate the decision and reach out to their advisers to discuss the best option according to their needs. Ormond urges students to consider their own academic needs when choosing the pass/fail option, due to its effect on scholarships, student athlete requirements and career requirements, among others.
Ormond emphasized the university’s understanding of the conditions presented to students as the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to affect their lives.
Faculty intend for the grading option to relieve stress from the circumstances that have continued for the last year, the email said.
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