Dear Students,
We recognize that undergraduate and graduate students are facing unique challenges this semester. We know that in some cases, the switch to online learning will go very well and for other cases, it will be more challenging. We are all working together to determine solutions that enhance our university community.
Are you having any issues with making the transition to online learning? If so, here are some options that you can consider.
All undergraduate students will be assigned to an advisor in the Center for Academic and Career Success. If you are having issues with feeling successful in your online classes, please reach out to your CACS or faculty advisor. Graduate students should reach out to their faculty advisors. Advisors are all prepared to provide you with some guidance.
In addition, CACS is making the Academic Coaches available on an ad hoc basis to provide support to students as they transition to the online learning environment. They can provide tips for studying, managing your time, etc.
The Center for Academic Success, the Writing Center, and the Math Center have all transitioned to online services. If you need assistance, please reach out to schedule an appointment. They will continue to provide you with the same supports virtually that they have provided you on campus. Please remember to use google docs for any drafts you submit to them for review so that the tutors can all have access to materials you share.
As part of our normal processes, students can request that an Instructor give them a grade of Incomplete. This is possible when the student has not been able to complete the requirements of a course for legitimate reasons, such as the current disruption in the semester, provided that the work completed at the time of the request is of passing quality. Grades of I are submitted by the Instructor to the appropriate deans to be entered into Cardinal Students. If you are passing but need more time to complete the work for the semester, please consult your Instructor to discuss if this is an option for you.
We have heard that some of you want to be able to go pass/fail. We have also heard that some of you would like to continue to earn grades. We are committed to a process that allows you some choice as to what best meets your needs as you adjust to the online learning environment.
The following exceptions regarding pass/fall apply for all undergraduate students in Spring 2020.
Pass/fail courses will always count as meeting a free elective requirement.
For this semester only, pass/fail courses will meet Distribution or Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements.
In some cases, courses that are pass/fail may be able to count as meeting major or minor requirements. Each dean and program chair is carefully considering which courses might possibly meet the requirement for their majors and minors if taken pass/fail and which courses cannot. Each school or department will then provide more specific guidance to interested students in their major and minor programs.
Among the factors that will determine whether a course taken on a pass/fail basis can satisfy major or minor requirements are the following:For some majors, the determination is connected to accreditation needs or licensure preparation needs (e.g., nursing, which has clear guidelines on what courses must be graded).
For some courses, a letter grade may be necessary in order to ensure that the course has been completed at a sufficient level to progress to the next one.
If you are taking a graduate course and want the course to count as part of a 4+1, you must earn a letter grade for that course.
You should also carefully consider financial aid ramifications if you elect to take a course pass/fail as some funders may require the course to be graded.
We are creating a university-wide process for requesting a switch to pass/fail for a course. The process will require you to speak with your instructor first, since it is possible that you may be able to resolve concerns that you might have about your performance in the class. It will also require that the request be approved by your academic dean. We are allowing this as an “opt in” process. Forms are due by April 22, 2020.
If you would like to request pass/fail, the steps are as follows:
Graduate courses, by their nature, do not lend themselves to pass/fail grading, because graduate students are held to a higher academic standard towards satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Such progress also plays an important part in financial aid and scholarship eligibility, both of which cannot be judged with pass/fail course grading.
Normal exceptions to this rule are language requirements, comprehensive examinations at both the master's and doctoral levels, thesis presentations, and doctoral dissertation defenses.
In light of the current conditions imposed on students and faculty by the COVID-19 pandemic, individual schools may consider exemptions from the normal grading system if a student enrolled in a course, the instructor of the course, and the school dean agree to this exemption.
If you would like to request pass/fail, the steps are as follows:
We have extended the deadline to withdraw from a course. You now have until April 22, 2020 to withdraw from a course. You can withdraw using Cardinal Students.
Please be aware of the possible consequences of withdrawing from a course. There are potential financial aid implications if you withdraw from courses. If you reduce your credit load when you withdraw and are enrolled in fewer than 12 credits as an undergraduate or fewer than 8 credits as a graduate student this change would move you from full time to part time status. If you have any questions about the possible impact of withdrawing from any course on your financial aid, please consult the Office of Financial Aid.
Note also that a term withdrawal does not normally result in a refund of the semester’s tuition charges. If your semester was impacted by you or someone in your family's COVID-19 diagnosis, the University will consider a tuition appeal under Section VI of our Refund of Student Charges Policy.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and God Bless,
Aaron.
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Aaron Dominguez, Ph.D.
Provost
The Catholic University of America