Modified spring 2020 grading policy

May 4, 2020

The following was sent via e-mail to students, faculty and staff on Monday, May 4 2020 by Dr. Kevin Rose, Vice President for Instruction:

 

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, 

The Spring 2020 semester has been a semester like none other in the life of Northeast Texas Community College.  We have experienced challenges none of us could have foreseen.

In light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, Northeast Texas Community College will modify its Spring 2020 grading policy to allow students to convert their Spring final course letter grades to “S-Satisfactory/U-Unsatisfactory” or withdraw from courses with a ‘W’.  This may be done following the posting of final letter grades, which will be no later than Tuesday, May 19, 2020. 

The key points of the updated grade policy are as follows:

  1. Letter grades will be posted for the Spring 2020 semester no later than Tuesday, May 19, 2020.  These grades will be the traditional letter grades (A, B, C, D, F, I)
  2. Following the posting of letter grades, students will be given the opportunity to 1) choose to retain the letter grade; 2) request a ‘W – Withdraw’; or 3) convert to an ‘S – Satisfactory’ or a ‘U – Unsatisfactory’
    1. S – Satisfactory – A, B, C, D (Courses in major would require a ‘C’ or better for S)
    2. U – Unsatisfactory – F
    3. S – Satisfactory will not impact GPA, but will be counted in a student’s Total Attempted/Credits
  3. The deadline for students to choose to convert their letter grade will be 6:00 PM, Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
  4. Once a student makes their decision on the Spring coursework/grade, this decision is final, and cannot be reversed in the future.
  5. This policy only applies to the Spring 2020 grades.

While this policy does allow for students to convert their letter grade to a “S/U”, this does not imply a categorical endorsement that students should do so, and there are instances where it may be in the student’s best interest to retain the letter grade (i.e. transferability, application to professional schools, etc.).  Students should seek both their faculty member and academic advisors’ guidance in making this decision.

The procedure a student will use for converting a letter grade or withdrawing from a course will be sent by the Registrar, via email, to all students the week of May 10.  Again, students will have two-weeks (May 19-June 2) to make their request.  This information will also be posted on the NTCC COVID-19 Student FAQ website at:  https://www.ntcc.edu/about-us/marketing-public-information/covid-19-information/covid-19-student-faqs.

Lastly, I would like to express my appreciation for the thought and deliberateness exhibited at each stage of the development of this policy.  The policy is the result of input provided by both the Instruction and Student Services groups and culminated with the unanimous recommendation from a group comprised of the Instructional Council and the President of the Faculty Senate.  Appreciation is also expressed to NTCC President, Dr. Ron Clinton, who, acting under the authority of the College’s Board of Trustees, approved the updated grading policy.  It is truly a recognition of the care and concern NTCC has for the health and well-being of both our students and the institution. 

Thank you,

Kevin P Rose, Ed.D.

Vice President for Instruction