COVID Changes to Syllabus

Course Grades and
Pass/No Credit Option

You will assign letter grades in your classes in accordance with the methodology and criteria you have established in your revised syllabus and you will enter letter grades at the end of the semester as you normally would.  After letter grades are entered, students will have until June 15, 2020, to submit a request to the Registrar for P/NC grading on a course by course basis.

The restrictions and procedures for Pass/No Credit (P/NC) grading as defined in the Grading System Policy (IV.1.b.) are waived for the Spring 2020 semester. The P grade will be assigned on request for D- or higher letter grades for undergraduate courses or in accordance with graduate program policy for graduate courses. Courses in which a P grade is assigned will count for credit and will fulfill pre-requisites and graduation requirements regardless of normally required minimum letter grades. Students will be urged to consult with appropriate offices and individuals to understand the impact of this decision on academic standing, financial aid eligibility, graduate and professional school applications, employment opportunities, certification and licensure, athletic eligibility, and other circumstances where GPA is a consideration.

Assigned letter grades will remain on record for future reporting if needed. The Rowan University official transcript key will note the expanded availability of the P/NC option for the Spring 2020 semester.

Academic Integrity

Please be sure that your revised syllabus clearly explains your expectations for academic integrity in the remote learning environment, including authorization for collaboration, recording or sharing of class materials, and use of internet sources.  Normally, resubmitted or alternative assignments required as a result of an academic integrity violation are considered sanctions and require reporting of a Level 1 violation. This provision of the Academic Integrity Policy is waived for the Spring 2020 semester and a new Level 0 category has been created.

In a crisis, students may not have the capacity to access resources, seek assistance, comply with restrictions on collaboration and sharing of information, or otherwise make good choices when under pressure to maintain academic performance. The abrupt shift to the virtual classroom environment also introduces new challenges.

Cultivating an atmosphere of trust, compassion, and flexibility will do much to counter this heightened pressure. Where appropriate, you are encouraged to offer opportunities to resubmit an assignment or complete an alternative assignment. Academic integrity violations for which you and the student agree that a resubmitted or alternative assignment is appropriate may be designated as Level 0 violations and do not have to be reported.

Students’ rights to due process will otherwise be maintained and all academic integrity violations for which a penalty is applied must be reported to the Office of the Provost. Level 3 and 4 violations, along with appeals of Level 1 and Level 2 violations, will continue to be adjudicated via a scheduled hearing that will be conducted remotely.

Attendance

For courses offered via a remote learning format during the Spring 2020 semester, the Attendance Policy applies as appropriate for verification of student attendance (IV.2.a.) and for accommodations in the event of excused absences (IV.2.c.). Your revised syllabus should define what forms of participation or activity will constitute attendance and you should keep a record accordingly.

Depending on the format of your classes, student absences may take the form of failure to join scheduled synchronous remote class sessions; failure to participate in remote class activities, whether synchronous or asynchronous; or failure to meet deadlines for submission of assignments.  Disruptions of any kind relating to the Coronavirus-COVID-19 crisis will be recognized as circumstances for which absences are excused and students will be instructed to contact you and/or the Dean of Students for accommodations and assistance. Documentation may be requested by the Dean of Students.  Requirements that documentation be provided to instructors, whether in advance or after the fact, are waived.