Intersession 2021 Pass (P) Grade Option Policy

Rationale

As USF made the decision to continue remote learning during intersession 2021 and return to campus when risk has diminished, the Provost and deans have approved access to the Pass (P) grade option for after the posting of grades. This temporary measure for the intersession 2021 term is in recognition of the challenges the term has posed to students and the continued seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak. Continued access to the Pass (P) grade aims to fulfill our mission of cura personalis or “care for the whole person,” while still providing a pathway to fulfill program and degree requirements. Students who receive a letter grade (A - D-) will be given the ability to elect the Pass (P) grade option during a one-week window. Some courses will be exempt from this policy.

Applies for intersession 2021 to: Graduate and undergraduate students; domestic and international students; all campus locations; all schools except School of Law.

Read the Intersession 2021 Pass Option FAQ

Policy

  • The registrar's office will add Pass (P) as an option in addition to letter grades A-F, after grades are posted by instructors.
  • Students may elect the Pass (P) grade option for courses not exempt from this policy.
  • Restrictions on Core and major courses not exempt from this policy will be lifted so that Pass (P) counts as fulfillment of those requirements for intersession 2021 courses only.
  • The deans of the college/schools will determine, in consultation with their department and program chairs, which courses are exempt from the continuation of the Pass (P) grading option
  • It is required that students consult with their faculty/academic adviser before making this choice. Students will be asked to confirm that they sought any guidance that they needed before electing the Pass (P) option.
  • This policy is not an extension of the existing P/F option ( as laid out in the Catalog), but a one-time unique grade option policy initiated for intersession 2021 only.

Considerations

  • Pre-licensure, credentialing, and some additional programs may require course grades.
  • Admissions requirements of graduate and professional programs, information requested by employers, and some documentation may require course grades in order to maintain good academic standing for certain scholarships.
  • Future guidance from the US Department of Education regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress in relation to financial aid may affect whether some students can exercise the Pass (P) option.
  • While a P will count as passing a course, it does not necessarily qualify students to advance to the next step in their major. Some majors have and will maintain a letter grade minimum that is higher than D- in a particular course to advance in the major or program. Please check with your academic adviser regarding any particular rules in your major or program.

Implementation

  • Provost will notify students, faculty, and staff in Academic Affairs of the policy after it is fully approved. A website will contain the policy with updated considerations and implementation information.
  • Faculty will submit grades at the end of the semester by the due date.
  • An electronic form will be available for students to elect the P (Pass) option starting Monday, February 1, 2021 at 9:00 am (the first weekday after grades are posted) through February 7, 2021 at 11:59 pm.
  • Students who do not request a consultation with their faculty/academic adviser will be asked to affirm on the Pass (P) election form that they have sought the necessary guidance before electing the Pass (P) option.
  • Intersession 2021 Pass Option FAQ