Update on S/N grading and extended withdrawal deadlines

the following information has since been updated -- please see March 30 message for current deadlines

Dear Students,

In support of students in these unprecedented times, all University of Minnesota Twin Cities undergraduate students have the option to change grade basis for undergraduate courses from A/F to S/N (satisfactory/not satisfactory) for any number of spring 2020 and/or B-term (second half of term) courses. Grading basis changes must be submitted by April 15, 2020, and information about how to do so will follow in a future message.

Two policies are being temporarily suspended to accommodate this change:

  • Limits to S/N policies will be expanded as necessary for students who change course grading basis. APAS will be updated as needed in May 2020.
  • S/N course grading basis will be accepted for major (and minor) requirements.

Please be thoughtful as you decide whether or not to change grade basis for any or all of your spring 2020 courses. As a reminder of the difference between S/N and A/F grading:

  • In order to earn an S in a course, you need to earn a letter grade of at least C- or higher. If you earn an equivalent letter grade of D or lower, you will not receive credit for the course and a grade of N will be posted to your transcript.
  • In A/F grading, a letter grade of D or higher is acceptable for receiving elective credit and liberal education credit. A letter grade of D is not acceptable for major coursework.

Consult with your academic advisor if you have questions and please consider the following:

  • Are you likely to earn a strong grade in the course? Many faculty have been asked to be flexible and if this is your experience, your grade may not be negatively impacted.
  • Consider your licensure, graduate, or professional program goals as some programs may not accept S/N grading basis in prerequisite courses.
  • The decision to change one’s grading basis cannot be reversed. If you choose to change grading basis from A/F to S/N it will not be possible to reverse your decision at a later date, even if your performance is very strong.
  • UMR students: Please work with your Student Success coach before making changes.

In addition, the last day to cancel classes without college approval is moved to April 16 for full session and B Term courses. A W will appear on your transcript. Please consult with One Stop Student Services ([email protected]) if you have any questions about impacts to your financial aid.

Please take the coming weeks to evaluate how your courses are going. In the meantime we are working on the technical aspects so you can make any grade basis changes. The deadline to change grading basis will be April 15, 2020.

Sincerely,

Robert B. McMaster
Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education

message sent to Twin Cities undergraduate students on Friday, March 20 at 2:25 p.m.