April 16: Pass/Fail Policy for Spring 2020 Undergraduate Students
Dear undergraduate students,
We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the learning environment and experience for all of our students. Faculty and staff continue to be mindful of the challenges facing our students and are making accommodations and changes where necessary to support our students. We recognize that this unprecedented situation has required unplanned changes in curriculum and often a significant increase in stress for students and faculty alike. In an effort to alleviate that stress and the negative impacts on students’ GPAs, the College has developed a new policy for allowing students to take Spring 2020 courses pass/fail. The following outlines the new pass/fail policy:
1. With the exception of students majoring in Nursing (See #2), all undergraduate students:
- May take all spring 2020 courses pass/fail. (See exceptions below in #2)
- If a student chooses the pass/fail option, any grade of D- and above would convert to pass (P).
- A grade of “P” will be listed on the transcript and will not affect a student’s GPA.
- A grade of “P” will count for the LS Core, majors and minors.
- The deadline for students to choose pass/fail grading is May 28 – eight days after final grades are due from faculty – which allows you to make this change after seeing what grade you would have otherwise received.
2. Because of accreditation requirements, Nursing majors may take all spring 2020 courses pass/fail except for: NUR1500, NUR1550, HSC3320, MTH1111.
3. To change any course to pass/fail, you can fill out this electronic form.
Knowing that the academic environment has changed, it is our hope that the new pass/fail system will provide our students with some relief during this difficult time and allow you to focus on what is important most – your health and your families, as well as your studies. Please continue to consult your academic advisors and coaches to make the best decision for you as it relates to the pass/fail option.
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact your instructor, your academic adviser or the Academic Success Center at asc@merrimack.edu.
Sincerely,
Office of the Provost