Dear Georgetown University Main Campus Students, Faculty, and Staff,
We look forward to beginning the Fall semester in just a few weeks. Taking into account student response to the Spring grading policy, and as recommended by the Main Campus Executive Faculty, the University will implement the grading policy outlined below for the Fall semester.
An important change to note is that students will have until the last study day to choose the grading method, as opposed to the last day of class, as in the Spring semester. Similarly, students will have until the last study day to withdraw from a course. Modular courses within the term will have the withdrawal deadline of the last day of class for that module.
For Undergraduates Students in the Fall Term:
- Undergraduate students will have the option to choose one of two grading frameworks, either:
(1) a letter grade, or
(2) Satisfactory (S); Credit (CR); or No-credit (NC): (S=grades A through C; CR=C-, D+, D; NC=F)
- Students can make this choice in MyAccess, beginning on September 7 until the last study day on December 10 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
- The choice to take a class S/CR/NC can apply to any course: Core, major, minor, certificate or free elective.
- The choice can be made without permission from the deans (per the usual process).
- The S/CR/NC options will not be counted toward the stated maximum of student’s degree programs (e.g., “six” as outlined in the Undergraduate Bulletin).
- The course withdrawal date will also be extended to the last study day, December 10 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Modular courses within the term will have the withdrawal deadline of the last day of class for that module.
- A transcript notation for Fall 2020 will explain that S/CR/NC was instituted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Graduate Students in the Fall Term:
- Graduate students in programs that opt in to this policy will be able to choose one of two grading frameworks, either:
(1) a letter grade, or
(2) Satisfactory (S) or No-credit (NC): (S=grades A through C; NC=C-, D+, D, F)
- Students can make this choice in MyAccess beginning on September 7 until the last study day on December 10.
- Individual programs may exclude any or all courses from the S/NC grading modality; a list of exempted courses should be submitted to the Associate Dean of Academic affairs in the Graduate School as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, August 14.
- Requests by graduate students in programs that have opted into the policy must be approved by the appropriate director of graduate studies or dean, and by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the Graduate School.
- The withdrawal date will also be extended to the last study day, December 10 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Modular courses within the term will have the withdrawal deadline of the last day of class for that module. Late withdrawal is only available to graduate students in programs that have opted in to the policy.
- A transcript notation for Fall 2020 will explain that S/NC was instituted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We thank students and faculty, both for your enthusiasm approaching the Fall term, and for your patience as, together, we work through the many challenges the current public health crisis has presented. We look forward to the start of Fall classes and to joining each other in Georgetown’s community of learning.
Sincerely,
Robert M. Groves
Provost