Update from Vice Dean for Undergraduate Programs Barclay Morrison

Nov 17 2020

Dear Undergraduate SEAS Students,  

This past week the Engineering Student Council presented a proposal to the SEAS Faculty Committee on Instruction regarding possible academic accommodations for the fall 2020 semester. In acknowledgment of the difficulties faced by students this semester due to the coronavirus pandemic, the SEAS Committee on Instruction has instituted the following policy changes for the fall 2020 semester:  

  • Moving forward, SEAS undergraduate students will be allowed to take one (1) ongoing course P/D/F this semester, with no restrictions on the type of course (core, non-tech elective, or major requirement).  The course will count toward its respective requirement.
  • SEAS undergraduate students will have until the last day of class (December 14, 2020) to choose this P/D/F option.
  • SEAS undergraduate students will have until the end of the second week of spring semester (January 22, 2021) to choose whether or not to uncover the grade in this class.
  • This option to P/D/F a course this semester is in addition to the existing option to P/F a non-technical course (the latter needing to be >=3000 level per the existing SEAS policy).  

It is hoped that these accommodations will provide you flexibility for dealing with the added stressors of this unusual semester.  Students may exercise this option through the P/D/F Grading option in SSOL.  As a reminder, the drop deadline remains November 19, 2020.  

However, it is critically important that you understand the potential implications of choosing the P/D/F option on future plans that may require a transcript, including internships, jobs, or post-graduation education. Additionally, given the sequential nature of the SEAS curricula, electing to P/D/F a course could have impacts on student-success in future classes.  

Students are strongly encouraged to speak with your advising deans in the Center for Student Advising before exercising this option.   

We appreciate the collaboration with ESC on such matters of importance and impact to our undergraduate student population.  

Sincerely,  
Barclay Morrison
Vice Dean for Undergraduate Programs

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