Dear Faculty, Undergraduate Students, and Staff,
In support of the NJCU community we have revised some key academic policies for the Spring 2020 semester to help address the hardships that students and instructors alike are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the move to online teaching/learning. The past two weeks have been difficult for our academic community and for our families. The public health imperative for us all to work and study at a distance has created unique challenges that will impact the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. We hope that despite the extraordinary times we are living in, we can rally as a community to ensure that the educational plans of our students are not derailed by what is ultimately a temporary disruption. To that end, these revisions are intended to provide the maximum flexibility to students and faculty to successfully complete the Spring 2020 term.
Perhaps unlike any other time in our institution’s history, instructors and students struggle side-by-side to adjust to the sudden shift of campus courses being offered online. Many of us are new to distance learning and to working remotely. Staff are working through the night in an effort to problem-solve and facilitate the learning environment and success of instructors and students. As an institution, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the delivery of quality education and student learning.
In order to respond to the unexpected demands placed on all of us for the remainder of the semester, changes have been made to the grading policy for Spring 2020. What follows is the result of collaboration with academic administration, academic deans and chairs, University senate, and student government. We believe these changes provide the greatest support and flexibility for students and instructors who are faced with abruptly shifting on-campus learning to a remote learning environment. Please note — the following revised grading option applies to undergraduate students only for the Spring 2020 semester.
Instructors will use the current A-F letter grading system and will submit final grades using our current procedures. The evaluation and submission of final grades by instructors will remain exactly the same as before.
What will change for Spring 2020 term is as follows:
The regular deadline and process to apply to take a course P/NC/DCR (Pass, No Credit, D-Credit) is waived for Spring 2020. Students will not need to complete a P/NC form or to get approval. The option will automatically be given to all students through GothicNet.
Students will have an opportunity to view their final letter grade in a course and to then opt for a Pass/No Credit grade. Students will have until June 5, 2020 to choose the Pass/No Credit option. Students will have the option to keep their final letter grade if they are satisfied.
A “P” grade will replace grades of C- or better in the regular grading system, and it will fulfill college and major requirements, even in cases where a grade of P (passing) does not.
A grade of “DCR” designation will be an option for students who earned a “D” grade. The “DCR” grade will designate satisfactory performance for course credit, but that the grade of “D” may not be satisfactory for certain requirements. This option will provide students with the opportunity to receive course credit while not negatively impacting their GPA. The “DCR” will apply to all courses requiring a “C-“ or better to meet specific major and pre-requisite course requirements.
An “F” grade or a “D” grade without “DCR” designation will automatically revert to a grade of “NC” or No Credit. Grades of “NC” will not impact overall term or Cumulative GPA and will not be considered a failure of the course for determining academic standing. Financial Aid eligibility as determined by Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will not be negatively impacted by a P/NC/DCR option.
The NJCU policy that prevents students from taking a major course on a Pass/Fail basis will be waived for Spring 2020 term only. Hence, students taking a major course who receive a “C-“ grade or higher may choose to receive a Pass (P) grade, which will fulfill the particular major requirement.
Pass/No Credit/DCR courses will not count toward the existing limit of nine P/F credits in an elective, General Education Program elective, or academic minor course, nor will there be a limit on the number of Spring 2020 courses that a student may convert to the P/NC/DCR grading system.
Incomplete (IN) and Withdrawals (W) will not earn credits to meet the academic year minimum or influence the GPA in the term the course was attempted.
Beginning April 15, 2020, consult with your academic advisor for information on any courses which may be exempt under this Pass/No Credit/D-Credit policy.
We hope these modifications will reduce some of the stresses our students are facing as they adjust to the sudden shift in instructional mode. I also take this opportunity to commend our all who continue to keep our university functioning in support of our teaching mission.
Sincerely,
Tamara Jhashi
Provost and Senior Vice President
