Spring 2020 Undergraduate COVID Grading Options

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the University of Saint Mary is responding by offering the following options to undergraduate students enrolled in full 16-week courses and 8-week courses that began March 17th or March 23rd.  If you want to take advantage of any of these options, please contact your academic advisor to determine which option(s) are best for you. 

Withdraw Deadline Extended

The deadline to withdraw from a course and receive a non-punitive grade of “W” has been extended to midnight CST May 1, 2020 for 16 week courses and midnight CST May 4, 2020 for 8 week classes.

Students may elect to withdraw from one or all courses.  “W” grades do not impact grade point average, there is no refund for the course and no credit is awarded towards program or degree requirements. There will only be “W” grades for the Spring 2020 semester (WP and WF grades will not be issued). 

To withdraw from one or more courses, complete this form: Change of Enrollment.

Incomplete Grades Offered

Students may work with a faculty member to receive the grade of Incomplete for a course to allow more time to complete course requirements. Students are not eligible for the Dean’s List (if applicable) if there is an Incomplete Grade on the student transcript; however, the designation to Dean’s List will show up at a later point once the grade(s) are issued. 

Please work with individual faculty to identify if this option is available.  The incomplete contract form can be found by following the following link: Incomplete Grade. 

Pass/Fail Option

Students may elect to receive a Pass/Fail grade in one course for the Spring 2020 semester. Certain courses will not be eligible for Pass/Fail grades due to accreditation, licensure or other requirements.  Once paperwork is approved, the decision is final.

a. A “Pass” will be issued in one course if the student has achieved a minimum of 70% in the course.

b. The grade of “Pass” will not impact the grade point average; however, the grade of “Fail” will count in the computation of the term and cumulative grade point averages.

c. Students must complete the following application: Pass/Fail prior to midnight CST Friday, May 1, 2020 for 16 week courses or midnight CST Monday, May 4, 2020 for 8 week courses.

The following are a few things to consider as you and your advisor discuss options:

• a “W” or a “P” grade will not affect your GPA, but a Fail will negatively impact your GPA.
• there is no refund for courses that receive a “W” or Pass/Fail grade.
• your decision may impact Veteran’s Services benefits.
• there may be athletic eligibility consequences to this decision.
• there may be financial aid implications to this decision.
• a Pass/Fail course may not transfer to another institution. Each institution sets its own acceptance standards for coursework. If a student plans to transfer, they should consult with the other institution to discuss the implication(s) of taking a course Pass/Fail.
• a course may need to be repeated if required for program progression, accreditation or licensure purposes and have discussed these with my advisor.
• graduate schools may not accept a Pass/Fail grade for acceptance to graduate programs. If a student plans to attend graduate school or transfer, they should consult with the other institution to discuss the implication(s) of taking a course Pass/Fail.