March 27, 2020

Dear University of Oregon student,

I wanted to update you with the very latest information about some changes to your grading options for spring term 2020 undergraduate courses, given that the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our university to a system of remote learning.

These are unprecedented times for many UO students and faculty. Because of the issues involving COVID-19 (coronavirus), coupled with the current social and economic instability students might be experiencing, we have created a new undergraduate-course grading policy for spring term that offers a simple and consistent approach. We hope this alleviates any anxiety you might be feeling about grades and encourages you to focus on learning.

Here are the new grading options for spring term 2020:

• The deadline to change grade-optional courses from graded to P/NP (pass/no pass) will be extended 30 days after the date that spring 2020 final grades are posted. That means all students will have until July 16, 2020, to decide whether to change to P/NP once they see their final grades. (REMINDER FOR WINTER TERM 2020 GRADES: We are extending the deadline to change courses from graded to P/NP until April 24, 2020.)

• The option to change from graded to P/NP will also be available for all courses that are currently designated as graded only. 

• Courses that are designated as P/NP only will remain as they are. There will be no additional options for these courses.

• Any spring 2020 course grade of P will be counted as a P* grade for the purposes of the policy that states: “Students must earn 168 transfer or University of Oregon credits with grades of A, B, C, D, or P*.” This means that spring 2020 classes taken as P/NP can count toward graduation requirements. Credits earned in courses offered only as P/NP will use the P* designation.

• Instructors of record shall maintain letter grades throughout the term and record final course grades for students in all spring 2020 courses (and only assign P/NP grades for courses that are designated as P/NP only).

• If a student chooses P/NP by the new deadline of July 16, 2020, a P grade will be recorded for a C- or above, and an NP grade will be recorded for a D+ or below.

• Departments are asked to waive any requirements that (a) limit how P/NP courses count toward the major; that (b) require specific grades for courses that count toward the major; or that (c) serve as prerequisites for other courses. This is especially important for cases where the lack of such a waiver will require students to enroll in an additional term or delay graduation for students.

Your continued education remains an extremely high priority for the University of Oregon community. These grading changes for undergraduate courses go into effect immediately, and we have communicated the new policy to our faculty and instructors. If you or your family have any questions, please send an email to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@uoregon.edu; the Office of Academic Advising at uoadvising@uoregon.edu; or the Office of the Provost at execviceprovost@uoregon.edu.

Take care.

Sincerely,

Janet Woodruff-Borden
Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs