West Chester U To Employ 'Opt-In' Grading Policy Amid Coronavirus

WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester University will be using a new "opt-in" grading system, designed to reduce stress for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak.

The new policy allows students to choose one of two available grading options without negatively impacting their grade point averages, the school announced.

"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," the university said in an email message sent to students and staff Friday.

For a week after courses have completed, undergraduates will have the choice of keeping their grade, anything between an "A" and a "C-," and having it count toward their GPA; or, alternatively, accepting a grade of "satisfactory" for anything between an "A" and a "C-" without impacting their GPA.

Graduates can do the same thing, except only for "A" through "B-," the school said.

West Chester has moved to remote instruction for the duration of the spring 2020 semester and the rest of the outbreak.