AA/30/AS/20/UEPC - Temporary Modification to University Grading Policies as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Effective Fall 2020

Resolved: That Academic Senate assert that the most effective means of supporting our University’s core mission is to ensure that students are not penalized because of a public health crisis; and be it further

Resolved: That Academic Senate approves the attached statement, Temporary Modification to University Grading Policies as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and urges immediate implementation of the temporary policy; and be it further

Resolved: That the standard procedure of forwarding resolutions to the University President 10 days after Senate minutes are published be waived and that this resolution be immediately forwarded to the President for action; and be it further

Resolved: That the modification to University Policies described in the attached statement be implemented immediately for Fall 2020 and kept in place for as long as CSU Stanislaus is unable to return to face-to-face instruction for the majority of offered courses.

 

Related Policies and Procedures:

Rationale: 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused additional stress to both students and faculty. We believe that our University has a moral obligation to do what we can to facilitate our students’ success in their coursework by adjusting our policies. Students who are adversely affected by these unprecedented stressful times may, by choosing the CR/NC option, be able to stop worrying about the grade and start learning. 

WASC has chosen to remain silent on institutions’ temporary move to increased use of CR/NC options; thus this policy will not affect our accreditation. Programs that have other accreditation requirements or that have significant connections to graduate programs can advise students regarding grading options. This policy gives students a choice, based on their individual needs and struggles. 

The mission of Stanislaus State is to create “an inclusive learning environment which encourages all members of the campus community to expand their intellectual, creative, and social horizons.” We believe that fulfilling our mission requires that we respond to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our students’ lives and instruction by making thoughtful and considered modifications to University Policies concerning grading options. 

For all Undergraduate courses the following modifications to extant curricular policy documents and published deadlines will be implemented for the duration of pandemic conditions requiring remote instruction.

a) The deadline for students to select a grading option shall follow extant policy: 14 calendar days prior to the first day of finals for fall and spring semesters; first day of the last week of instruction for any non-stateside terms.

b) The deadline for students to withdraw from a course (without completing the Late Withdrawal form) shall follow extant policy under Executive Order 1037: by the end of the eleventh week of instruction, or the first day of the last week of instruction for any non-stateside terms.

c) If students select Credit/No Credit grade option, a course grade of Credit will be assigned for the grades of A, B, or C (including C-). A course grade of No Credit will be assigned for grades of D or F.

d) The default course grading option would remain as stated in the catalog and course schedule. For most courses this is a letter grade.

e) For courses designated as letter grade only, students will have the option of selecting a grade option of Credit / No Credit.

f) For courses designated as Credit / No Credit only that designation remains in place.

g) All departments and programs will accept Credit / No Credit grades for courses completed in semesters which fall under this policy regardless of requirements for letter grades in major courses.

h) Courses completed in semesters which fall under this policy with Credit / No Credit grade will not be included in the 24 unit cap.

i) PeopleSoft will be updated with these modifications for Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021.

j) Instructors are asked to inform students in their courses that they have the opportunity to select a grade option, and if necessary, counsel the students regarding those grade options.

k) The restrictions on repeating courses with Credit / No Credit will be waived for courses completed while this policy is in force.

l) In the event that subsequent information indicates that students may be harmed by the grade option chosen, instructors may submit a grade change from Credit/No Credit to the letter grade that was earned, or submit a grade change from letter grade to Credit/No Credit. All departments should keep a record of letter grades for each class, to allow the grade change if necessary. This record should be kept in the department for 5 years.

m) Advising should include a focus on how CR/NC might affect entrance into post-baccalaureate programs and continued qualification for financial aid. Departments should clearly communicate with students in major courses the potential consequences of a choice of CR/NC.

Review History: Approved by the Academic Senate on October 20, 2020 Approved by President Ellen Junn on October 22, 2020 

Academic Affairs Division has the primary responsibility for this policy.

Attachment(s): AA/30/AS/20/UEPC - Temporary Modification to University Grading Policies as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic  

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