Grading FAQs Spring, Maymester, Summer 2020

Students will be able to opt into S/U grading through the S/U Grade Form (available May 1, 2020 for spring 2020).

No.  If you choose not to opt into any grade changes, your recorded grades will remain on your transcript.

Students have 18 months from the end of the full term to update their grades to S/U. Currently, only the Spring and Summer 2020 terms are eligible for this grading option. The last date to request a grade change for Spring 2020 is November 12, 2021. The last date to request a grade change for Summer 2020 is February 10, 2022.

Not all courses are eligible for S/U grading. You are encouraged to speak with your advisor to determine if S/U grading is a good option for you. You should also reference the available grading information for each academic school.

No.  You may request S/U grading for more than one class using the S/U Grade Form (available May 1, 2020 for spring 2020).  School-specific information on satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading is available on the Grading Policy site.

Undergraduate Courses: Consistent with the Undergraduate Catalog,

A Satisfactory “S” will, by default, correspond to a C or higher, in:

• A course needed to fulfill the major, concentration, specialization, minor, teaching field and additional support work required by the major;
• Core Curriculum courses that are required for a program (not all programs require specific Core selections);
• ENGL 1311, ENGL 1311L, and ENGL 1312, regardless of the program.

A Satisfactory “S” will, by default, correspond to a D or higher in:

• Elective courses;
• Core courses that are not specified to fulfill program requirements.

Graduate and Professional School Courses:

• Professional schools will follow the guidelines of their respective accrediting bodies.
• Consistent with the Graduate Bulletin, the Satisfactory “S” will, by default, correspond to a letter grade of B- or better.

If you choose the S/U grading option for all courses, you will have a Term GPA that appears as 0.00.  Your transcript will display the Term GPA as "blank", not as zero.

No.  Credit is not earned for U grades. U grades are also not calculated in your GPA.

No. Grade changes to a letter grade for courses already designated as S/U are not permitted.

No. For courses completed and graded prior to March 13, 2020, the S/U grading does not apply, as instruction was not interrupted.

Students may elect to change their S/U grading option up to 18 months after completion of the term. Changes are limited to twice per course. The change to S/U grading represents the first change. Restoring the letter grade represents the second change. After the second change, recorded grades will be permanent and any future changes not permissible. The last date to request a grade change for Spring 2020 is November 12, 2021. The last date to request a grade change for Summer 2020 is February 10, 2022.

School-specific information on satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading is available at the Spring, 2020 grading information page.

Yes.  Courses taken in Spring and Summer 2020 with a grade of S will count towards major, minor, program and core curriculum requirements.  School specific information on satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading is available at the Spring, 2020 Grading Information page

No. However, you are encouraged to speak with your academic advisor to determine whether or not S/U grading is the best option for you.

No. Instructors will submit letter grades. Your request for opting into S/U grading will be managed by the Office of the Registrar, exclusively.

No. However, it is highly recommended that students meet with their academic advisor, prior to submitting their request, to determine if S/U grades align with individual academic goals.

Because S/U grades have no impact on your GPA, the 2.00 GPA required to remain in good academic standing will not be altered by an S or U grade(s).

No. Because S/U grades have no impact on your GPA, the 2.00 GPA required to remain in good academic standing will not be altered by an S or U grade(s).  In addition, only Fall and Spring term grades impact academic standing.  Summer grades are exempt from impacting academic standing.

No. Neither S, nor U grades affect your GPA. If you are currently in academic good standing and receive grades of U in all courses, you will remain in good standing. Courses graded on the letter grade scale do impact GPA and academic standing.

Click here to learn more about academic probation.

The Spring 2020 semester Dean's List will be suspended, given the unprecedented situation.

While we understand that this may be a disappointment to some, this is the most equitable solution. The suspension of the Dean’s List is also intended to help students, by reducing the pressure to choose between earning letter grades or opting into S/U grading, given the stress and challenges of this term and the transition to a virtual learning environment.

S/U grades do not impact your GPA.

Yes. However, be aware that Repeat Policy rules remain in effect. Retaking a course in the future can impact the GPA. Please contact your academic advisor to determine whether or not you should repeat a course.

S/U grading may impact financial aid awards. Students are highly encouraged to contact financial aid concerning any financial-related impact.

Consult the graduate/professional program(s) for which you intend to apply for specific information on any future impact of S/U grading.