In an email from Dean Melanie Woodin, the Faculty of Arts & Science (FAS) announced that it is extending the deadlines for credit/no credit (CR/NCR) and late withdrawal (LWD) until after students are able to see their grades for the 2020–2021 year.
The new deadline for both CR/NCR and LWD is January 15, 2021 for fall semester courses, and May 7, 2021 for spring semester and yearlong courses. Students will be able to view their grades first, and then “[decide] if the CR/NCR or LWD options are right for them,” wrote Woodin.
She explained that the change was to help students amidst the difficult semester. Many students have seen their course deliveries change spontaneously, with all hybrid courses in the FAS being moved online on October 10.
“I am keenly focused on any adjustments we can make to current academic policies throughout the year to help alleviate stresses students are experiencing,” explained Woodin in her email to students. The FAS also extended the deadline in March 2020 as classes moved suddenly online due to COVID-19.
Aside from the new deadline, Woodin noted that the policies for CR/NCR and LWD will remain the same.
Arts and Science Students’ Union (ASSU) President Ikran Jama wrote to The Varsity that “ASSU overwhelmingly supports this decision as it provides much needed academic and personal relief to students during such a difficult time.” She added that many students had reached out to ASSU with concerns about the deadlines, and that the ASSU executive then communicated the concerns to Woodin.
In the future, ASSU hopes the change will be made permanent, so students will always have the option of viewing their final grades before selecting the CR/NCR or LWD options. The executives are currently drafting a proposal for the faculty to approve.
Editor’s note (November 1): This article has been updated to include comment from the ASSU.
