EC announces pass or no pass option for students
Photo by Julia Zawitkowska
Elmhurst College students have the option to make their classes pass or no pass until May 15, announced via email sent out by the vice president of Academic Affairs on April 1.
“For Spring 2020 undergraduate and graduate courses, students will have the option of choosing a Pass/No Pass Grading Preference for any of their classes,” stated Dean Pribbenow, the new VP of Academic Affairs and dean of faculty.
EC acted upon extending the pass or no pass deadline up until May 15, the last day of the spring term, after analyzing the various circumstances that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in order to ensure success.
“We know there may be circumstances in your lives that are barriers to performing as well as you’d like in your classes,” stated Pribbenow. “To minimize the anxiety associated with current times, we are making exceptions to some of our standard academic policies.”
Students will have to complete a Grade Preference Change Form online through the Registrar’s Office by May 15 in order to have their courses counted as pass or no pass.
However, the email states that some classes or programs may not have the option to become pass or no pass for students, urging students to speak with their advisors before switching to pass or no pass.
“Students enrolled in programs with accreditation, licensure, and/or professional standards (e.g., Nursing, Education, etc.) may not be allowed to elect the P/NP preference for courses required for those programs,” states the revised academic policy on the EC website. “Because those standards may not allow courses to be eligible for the P/NP grading schemes.”
The revised policy also states the withdrawal deadline has been extended until May 15 as well.
Pribbenow began his position at EC on March 12, the day EC announced that students would begin online learning.
“What I was most excited about was meeting you on campus, attending your performances, witnessing your accomplishments being recognized, and properly sending off our graduates,” stated Pribbenow. “For now, this will have to wait.”
