Modified Academic Policies for Spring 2020

POSTED: April 1, 2020

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Southern Indiana moved all instruction to online or alternative delivery effective March 23, the first regularly scheduled day of classes following an extended spring break. Given this new mode of course delivery, the disruptions imposed on members of our University, and the mental and emotional impact of these disruptions, the University, in consultation with faculty, has adopted several temporary policies related to grading and other areas for the Spring 2020 Semester. These changes are meant to give students every opportunity to succeed, especially during these times of uncertainty.

In devising the Pass/No Pass and other policies, we evaluated faculty perspectives about educational outcomes; considerations unique to the range of academic programs offered; applicable professional licensing concerns; and academic considerations relevant to students at different stages of their education. We also sought policies that allow us to take into account the unique circumstances that a particular student may have as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the period these policies are in effect, they will govern and control to the extent of any conflict with existing policies, procedures or provisions published in the USI Undergraduate or Graduate Bulletins. For the Spring 2020 semester, the following academic policies will apply:

Modified Academic Policies

• Add/Drop:
  The deadline to drop a full semester course without evaluation has been extended to Friday, April 17, 2020. The deadline to drop a full semester course with evaluation remains Wednesday, April 29, 2020. 
  
  
• Pass/No Pass (P/NP):
  Students have the option to consider, in consultation with their academic advisor or instructor, to change their course grade from a letter grade to P/NP.
  
  
  • Students will have from Monday, April 13 through Monday, April 27 to make a decision.
  • Courses taken as P/NP may be used to fulfill major, minor and Core 39 requirements.
  • There is no limit on the number of courses selected for P/NP.
  • The minimum threshold for an undergraduate course grade of "P" is defined as a D for all courses in Spring 2020.
  • The minimum threshold for a graduate course grade of "P" is defined as a C for all courses in Spring 2020.
  • Grades of P/NP are not used in computing GPA. Grades of "P/NP" will have no impact on decisions based upon a student’s GPA; some of these include Honors, Dean’s list, and President’s Medal.
  • P/NP grades cannot be used to replace a grade for a repeated course taken in order to improve GPA.
  • Some courses, primarily as part of professional programs, taken as P/NP cannot be used in the consideration for admission to professional programs. These include courses that are prerequisite courses needed for admission into programs such as nursing, occupational therapy assisting, dental hygiene, medical school, etc.
  • Some courses, primarily as part of professional programs, taken as P/NP cannot be used to fulfill degree requirements. These include courses that are required for programs such as nursing, occupational therapy assisting, dental hygiene, etc.
  • Choosing a P/NP option may have external impacts beyond the control of the University. This may occur in the evaluation of NCAA athletic eligibility requirements, study abroad requirement for international students, graduate or professional school applications, military benefits for students, and other similar circumstances.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their instructor or academic advisor before changing to P/NP grading for a course.
  • It is expected that once a decision has been made to change to P/NP, the decision cannot be reversed. However, under exceptional circumstances, an appeal may be considered.

Incoming Transfer Students:

• The University will accept grades of P for courses taken during Spring 2020.
• Courses with grades of P will not be used for scholarship decisions.

• Academic Dismissal:
  No student will be dropped from the University as a result of their performance in Spring or Summer 2020. Normal academic standing policies will be reapplied in Fall 2020.
  
  
• Academic Probation:
  No student will be placed on academic probation as a result of their performance in Spring or Summer 2020. Normal academic standing policies will be reapplied in Fall 2020.
  
  
• Transcript Notation:
  A comment will be added to the transcript of all students enrolled in the 2020 Spring Semester referencing the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  
• University Scholarships:
  Students receiving University-sponsored scholarships will not lose their scholarships as a result of completion or performance during the Spring 2020 Semester.

Students are urged to work with their academic advisors prior to making any grade modality or drop decisions to make sure the full implications of these decisions are understood. Students receiving financial aid are encouraged to speak with a counselor in Student Financial Assistance to fully understand the impact of these decisions on their financial aid.

Questions about these changes should be directed to the Provost Office.

Faculty, Advisors and Students:  Pass / No Pass Grading Guidance for Spring 2020

Appeal Process

The purpose of the Spring 2020 Pass/No-Pass Administrative Appeal is to determine if there is an administrative policy that was misapplied for the modified spring 2020 Pass/No Pass (P/NP) policy. Administrative policy issues include, but are not limited to, calendar deadlines, instructor/advisor approval, and other relevant student-administrative issues. Spring 2020 Pass/No-Pass Appeals must be submitted by May 29, 2020.

The student must write a detailed narrative describing the administrative policy that was misapplied and explain specifically what they are asking for and why they believe their situation should be considered by the committee. To file an appeal, a student must fill out the Spring 2020 Pass/No-Pass Administrative Appeal Request form; the form should be typed to ensure legibility. All appeals must be signed by the student (student’s digital signature is temporarily being accepted, but it must be submitted from your USI student email account to be accepted). Appeals written by anyone other than the student will NOT be accepted.

The completed appeal request form should be Faxed (812-464-1911) or Scanned/Emailed (usi1adappeal@usi.edu) to the Administrative Appeals Committee for review.

Please send any questions regarding the Spring 2020 Pass/No-Pass Administrative Appeal process to the usi1adappeal@usi.edu.

Dr. Mohammed Khayum
Provost

Dr. James Beeby
Dean, College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Cathy Carey
Dean, Romain College of Business

Dr. Zane Mitchell
Dean, Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education

Dr. Ann White
Dean, College of Nursing and Health Professions

Dr. Shelly Blunt
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

Heidi Gregori-Gahan
Associate Provost for International Programs

Jennifer Hammat
Dean of Students