Keep On Teaching FAQ Archive

Can students still request an incomplete grade?

Yes. The current plan is to manage incomplete (IN) grades the way you would normally. We strongly encourage you to carefully consider the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and make every effort possible to support students requesting (IN) grades.

What if a student wants to withdraw from my course?

KSU is extending the current deadline for withdrawal to April 28, 2020. You may want to encourage students to wait to make a decision about course withdrawal until closer to the withdrawal deadline. Faculty should caution students that course withdrawal may have a negative impact on a student’s progression and may have negative financial implications, including repayment of federal financial aid, continuing eligibility for scholarships, and may result in ineligibility for certain scholarships in the future. Please encourage students to talk with an advisor and the OneStop or the Student Success Office on their Campus.

What changes have been made to University Policies related to grading deadlines and grading options?

The deadline for students to withdraw from classes has been moved to April 28th. In addition, students who withdrew from classes between March 10th and March 30th have the option to re-enroll by April 1st. Finally, the deadline for students to consider whether to take a course for Pass/Fail has been moved to the end of the semester while for many courses that previously were not available for Pass/Fail, students now have the option to take a course for Pass/Fail. More details on these changes can be found at https://www.kent.edu/coronavirus/grading

What do I need to do to ensure a student receives a Pass/Fail grade?

There is nothing you need to do. You will report the regular letter grade. Faculty will only know whether a student has opted for a pass/fail grade if the student chooses to disclose that information to the faculty member.

How will I know whether a student wants to receive a Pass/Fail grade?

You will not know if a student submitted a request to receive a Pass/Fail grade.

Does requesting the Pass/Fail grade mean the student can stop participating (i.e., completing assignments, taking quizzes) before the course has ended?

Whether a student opts for a Pass/Fail grade does not affect how a student is involved in a course. The only document guiding completion of classwork is the course syllabus which outlines what a student needs to do to meet the learning objectives and assessment requirements for the course.

Some instructors explicitly state in their syllabus that all course elements must be completed, and in those cases student would be required to complete all assignments and assessments. However, others do not make that statement and would allow a student the option of not completing some course requirements. For example, an instructor may have regular testing throughout the semester. Collectively, each of the learning objectives may have been assessed during the semester. An instructor may choose to allow students to drop a lowest grade and that might include a cumulative final. The learning objectives have all been assessed, the final may be an opportunity for students to improve their grade, but not necessary for assessment of learning outcomes. In such a case, students could opt not to complete all assignments/assessments. This option may be especially desirable if a student or immediate family member becomes ill.

What if a student withdrew from a class and has now re-enrolled?

Students who withdrew after March 9th are able to re-enroll by April 1st. These students may have missed one or more assignments/exams, and we encourage you to be flexible and work with these students, so they can succeed in your class.
Can all students request the “P/F” grading option?
The P/F grading option is available to most, but not all, students. Students are asked to check https://www.kent.edu/coronavirus/grading, consult with their academic advisor and/or the OneStop or the Student Service Office at their campus.

Do students have to request the “P/F” grading option?

Yes. Students will be required to submit an online application that will be submitted directly to the Office of the Registrar. Requests will be made on a course-by-course basis.

Why are students being allowed to request the “P/F” grading option?

We are making the “P/F” grading option broadly available to students as a result of the unprecedented disruptions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of removing all restrictions of the use of the “P/F” grading option is to reduce students’ uncertainty and stress while encouraging a focus on the successful achievement of student learning outcomes.

Can students change back to a letter grade after they request a “P/F” grading option?

No. One goal of expanding the temporary use of the “P/F” grading option is to decrease students’ uncertainty in the short term and not to prolong their anxiety. We believe requiring a well-informed decision that cannot change back and forth is a way to accomplish this goal for KSU’s high achieving students.

Can a student submit both a Pass/Fail request and take an incomplete for the same course?

No, they must choose one or the other, but not both.

• You should talk to the student regarding their request to determine which is better for them.
• Please keep in mind that an incomplete adds to a student’s and your workload in a subsequent semester.
• If your default grade for the incomplete is a passing grade, then recommend that the student request a Pass/Fail instead of entering into an Incomplete contract.