WCU Reinstates Its Original COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy

Press release from West Chester University:

November 12, 2020

“The University understands that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues unabated
and, in many ways, has increased in its disruption since the start of the fall semester.
We realize that the stresses of this reality are causing students to be more anxious
and stressed than ever before,” stated an email message sent to WCU students, faculty,
and staff on November 12 by WCU President Chris Fiorentino, Provost Laurie Bernotsky,
Deputy Provost Jeffrey Osgood, and Chair and Vice Chair of the Curriculum and Academic
Policies Council Francis Atuahene and Josh Auld.

“When we implemented the COVID-19 grading policy this past spring, we found that students
ultimately ended up performing better when compared to previous springs semesters.
Many of us believe that this was because the policy provided students with the opportunity
to focus on learning instead of worrying so much about their grades. It is in this context that we are announcing that the COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy adopted for the spring 2020 semester will be applied to the entire 2020-2021 academic year (fall 2020, winter 2020/21, spring 2021, and summer 2021 terms).”

“Our shared governance groups have come together to support the adoption and implementation
of this policy, and we could not be prouder of the faculty and staff who worked to
author this document,” the University-wide email acknowledged. “From a procedural
perspective, this was approved by the 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 Faculty Senate President and Immediate
Past President, and the Chair and Co-Chair of the Council of Chairs.”

Highlights of WCU’s COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy.

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