The Office of the Provost LMU.edu
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Message from the Provost to Students on COVID-19 Options

03.25.20

Dear Students,

On Monday, March 23, the Registrar sent important updates to students about advising and registration for fall 2020. These updates included extended deadlines for withdrawing from classes and changing the grade option to credit/no credit. This communication provides further details on these and other accommodations. As always, I begin by expressing my appreciation to the students, faculty, and administrators who provided counsel on the following guidelines and changes; it reminded me yet again how fortunate I am to be part of a community that lives its mission and cares so deeply for each other. I also remind you to continue consulting LMU’s coronavirus website for critical information for our community.

Student Options
Recognizing challenges that undergraduate and graduate students may face adjusting to new modalities of course delivery, the need to care for oneself or family members, and/or other complications resulting from the global pandemic, LMU will implement the changes below for the spring 2020 semester only:

  • Academic Holds
    If you have a hold on your account, you will need to resolve the hold and communicate with the Registrar’s Office at registrar@lmu.edu.
  • Course Withdrawal Date
    The last day to withdraw from classes has been extended to May 1, 2020. To withdraw from a course, visit your registration page in PROWL through your MyLMU portal. If you choose to withdraw from a course, a grade of W will result.
  • Credit/No Credit Grading
    We have extended the last day to change your grade option to credit/no credit to May 1, 2020. If you would like to change your grade option, please complete the form designated for your college or school for dean’s office approval.
  • Counting Courses Changed to Credit/No Credit
    Graded courses taken on a credit/no credit basis will count towards fulfilling Core, major, and minor requirements during the spring 2020 semester. Some exceptions will apply where local, state or national accreditors or licensors have indicated that letter-grades will still be required for the degree or certificate program. Additionally, students in majors or programs where the minimum required grade is higher than C will still require letter-grades for courses since the minimum grade to earn credit is C. Please note the minimum required grades for Core attributes (C-) and for flags (D).

Important Considerations

  • Students considering any of these options should speak to their advisors about the ramifications of withdrawing from a course or changing the grade option to credit/no credit. For example, some graduate and professional schools, post-graduate agencies such as international fellowship programs, or certain employers may expect letter grades for all required courses on transcripts and these bodies may not be as accommodating of the current circumstances.
  • International students need to check with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) before making a decision to go credit/no credit because some governments won’t allow it.
  • Veterans need to check with the Veteran Programs office before making a decision to go credit/no credit.
  • Students who are currently on academic probation should consult with the advisors in their college/school if they are considering taking one or more classes for credit/no credit.  

St. Ignatius of Loyola once said, “It is dangerous to make everybody go forward by the same road.” It is in that spirit that these options are offered, so that students may make the best of these challenging circumstances and find their own best way forward.

Sincerely,

Thomas Poon, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost