MUW announces alternative grade options

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, Mississippi University for Women announced it will allow students the option for alternative grades for the spring semester.

The option allowed students to focus on learning outcomes and successful course completion. The Academic Council approved the COVID-19 Emergency Grade policy to allow students flexibility as classes moved online.

The temporary policy does not retroactively include First Term classes but does apply to both Full Term and Second Term courses that are currently in progress.

The temporary policy allows students to choose an assignment of PE (Pass Enhanced), PS (Pass Satisfactory) and NP (No Pass) grades for the spring 2020 semester only. The following further describes the alternative grade options:

• A grade of PE earns course credits, but is not counted in the semester, overall and institutional grade point averages. As a result, a PE grade does not impact the determination of whether a student graduates with academic honors. A PE grade does satisfy the “C or better” prerequisite that may exist in some courses. A PE grade does accrue attempted hours and earned hours.
• A grade of  PS also earns course credits, but is not counted in the semester, overall, and institutional grade point average. As a result, a PS grade does not impact the determination of whether a student graduates with academic honors. A PS grade does not satisfy the “C or better” prerequisite for another course. A PS grade does accrue attempted hours and earned hours.
• A grade of NP earns no course credits and does not count in the semester, overall and institutional grade point average. It satisfies no course requirements. A NP grade does accrue attempted hours, but not earned hours.

Once the grade assigned by the teacher is assigned, students can choose to invoke the option between Tuesday, May 5 and noon Tuesday, May 12. The option is available for individual courses.  For any student failing to meet the deadline, there will be an appeal process to request invoking this option for a short period of time following the deadline.

To invoke the change in grade mode, a grade change authorization form will be provided prior to May 5.  Additional guidance will be provided in the days to follow.    

Students were encouraged to consult their academic advisor before using the alternative grade option.