Coronavirus: West Chester University Announces Alt. Grading Policy For Remote Education

Press release from West Chester University:

March 27, 2020

West Chester University Announces COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy Prior to Students’
Remote Education on March 30

As West Chester University prepares to launch alternate modes of instruction (Zoom,
Skype, conference calling, email, etc.) for the remote education of students on March
30, the University announces a temporary new “opt-in” grading system for all undergraduate
and graduate students for the spring 2020 semester and until the disruption to the
learning environment lessens from the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy is designed to reduce the stress that many students are experiencing due to worldwide
disruption. One week after grades have been posted for the semester, WCU’s temporary
policy allows for undergraduate and graduate students to choose from two available
grading options that will enable students to complete the semester successfully without
fear of negatively impacting grade point averages (GPAs). The flexible policy is effective
immediately.

“In the midst of today’s sweeping global health challenges, West Chester University
stands by its promise to put students first and foremost in order to help them succeed,”
stated an email message sent to WCU students, faculty, and staff on March 27 by WCU
President Chris Fiorentino, Provost Laurie Bernotsky, Deputy Provost Jeffrey Osgood,
and Chair of the Curriculum and Academic Policies Council Josh Auld.

“The University understands that over the course of the last few weeks, students’
lives have been totally disrupted by a pandemic that has ripped across our nation
and turned day-to-day living completely upside down,” the University-wide email acknowledged.
“Knowing that the stresses of this reality are indeed creating an added burden for
our students, WCU is seeking to maintain an educational environment centered on learning
by focusing on the acquisition of the knowledge and skills necessary for students
to be successful in their personal and professional lives. It is in this context
that we are implementing a temporary policy that allows our students to focus on what
is most important: learning.”

Highlights of WCU’s COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy can be found below:

FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

On a course-by-course basis, and one week after grades have been posted, undergraduate
students will have the option to select one of the following grading options:

Option 1:

• A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and C- will continue to be recorded and will impact a student’s
  GPA.

Option 2:

• A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and C- will be recorded as “satisfactory” and will not impact
  a student’s GPA.

In addition, the following will be applicable for all undergraduate students:

• D+, D, and D- will automatically be converted to “credit earned,” will count as credit
  earned for the course and have no impact on a student’s GPA. If the course serves
  as a prerequisite and has a minimum grade requirement for future courses, “credit
  earned” will not satisfy those minimum grade requirements.

• F will automatically be converted to “no credit earned,” will not count as having
  successfully completed the course and have no impact on a student’s GPA.

FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

On a course-by-course basis, and one week after grades have been posted, graduate
students will have the option to select one of the following grading options:

Option 1:

• A, A-, B+, B, and B- will continue to be recorded and will impact a student’s GPA.

Option 2:

• A-, B+, B, and B- will be recorded as “satisfactory” and will not impact a student’s
  GPA.

The following will be applicable for all students regardless of the option they select:

• C+, C, and C- will automatically be converted to “credit earned,” will count as credit
  earned for the course and have no impact on a student’s GPA. If the course serves
  as a prerequisite and has a minimum grade requirement for future courses, “credit
  earned” will not satisfy those minimum grade requirements.

• F will automatically be converted to “no credit earned,” will not count as having
  successfully completed the course and have no impact on a student’s GPA. However,
  an F will still result in an automatic dismissal. Upon petition by the student or
  the approval of the Graduate Coordinator, the automatic dismissal may be waived.

Shared governance groups have come together to support the adoption and implementation
of WCU’s COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy. The policy was approved by the University’s Curriculum and Academic Policies Council
Executive Committee, a group empowered to make decisions between the body’s Assembly
meetings. The University’s primary shared governance leadership was also consulted,
including the president of the WCU Chapter of APSCUF, the president of Faculty Senate
and immediate past president, and the chair and co-chair of the Council of Chairs.

This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.