A MESSAGE FROM THE PROVOST

To:Hofstra University Faculty (not Law School and Medical School)

From: Herman A. Berliner, PhD

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Subject: Spring 2020 revised Pass/Fail and Withdrawal policies

For this semester only and after consulting with our shared governance leaders and the deans, we have implemented revised Pass/Fail and Withdrawal polices. These policies, listed on the Student Online Learning web page, are as follows:

Undergraduate Students

For the Spring 2020 semester, Hofstra University will allow undergraduate students to elect a Pass/D+/D/Fail option or to Withdraw from a course through Friday, May 8, 2020 for current term courses in progress. Students can elect the Pass/D+/D/Fail option for Spring 2020 courses by using the link below:

https://my.hofstra.edu/web/home-community/pass-fail-registration

The grade of Pass remains equivalent to a C- or better.
Faculty are not able to select this option for any student or an entire class. This is a choice made by students. As always, faculty should assign the appropriate letter grade to each student, and the conversion to Pass/D+/D/Fail will occur automatically on the transcript of any student who selected this option.
For this semester’s courses only, the Pass/D+/D/Fail option for undergraduates may be applied to any degree requirement, including general education courses, distribution courses, major and minor courses, language, honors options, and electives and will not count towards the regular 15/30 credit limits for the Pass/D+/D/Fail option.
A grade of Pass is not counted in determining cumulative grade point average, and courses with a Pass grade are counted in the total number of credits accumulated for graduation. Grades of D and D+ will be counted in determining cumulative grade point average.
Opting for a Pass grade for this semester will not impact Deans list or Provost scholar eligibility as long as you have earned the required minimum 12 credits in letter grades that count toward the GPA.
For the Fall 2020 semester academic scholarships, Pass grades and letter grades will both contribute to the total credits earned, but Pass grades will not enter into GPA calculations. Decisions on scholarship reinstatement will be made, as always, on a case-by-case basis.
Students in dual and accelerated programs as well as those considering graduate, professional, or clinical education are encouraged to speak to their faculty and/or academic advisor to discuss implications of taking the Pass/D+/D/Fail option at this time.
INTO students must contact Dr. Frank Gaughan (Frank.P.Gaughan[at]hofstra.edu) for advisement regarding this grade option.
Teacher candidates completing Hofstra’s New York state registered program, seeking certification through Hofstra University, can use the Pass/D+/D/Fail option during the Spring 2020 semester. Please Note: Students seeking certification through an alternative route, not through program completion/recommendation, will need a C or above in content and pedagogy coursework. Therefore, the Pass/Fail option from Hofstra in content or pedagogy would not be advisable since Hofstra’s P is C- or better.

Graduate Students

For the Spring 2020 semester, Hofstra University will allow graduate students to elect a Pass/Fail option or to Withdraw from a course through Friday, May 8, 2020 for current term courses that are in progress. Students can elect the Pass/Fail option for Spring 2020 courses by using the link below:

https://my.hofstra.edu/web/home-community/pass-fail-registration

Unlike the undergraduate “Pass”, a graduate course grade of Pass remains equivalent to a B- or better.
Faculty are not able to select this option for any student or an entire class. This is a choice made by students. As always, faculty should assign the appropriate letter grade to each student, and the conversion to Pass/Fail will occur automatically on the transcript of any student who selected this option.
Graduate Students should contact their program director to discuss the potential ramifications of the Pass/Fail option for their specific degree program and/or licensure/professional certification eligibility. The Pass/Fail option may also be applied to any requirement without the normal credit restrictions, except for programs with specialized accreditation or program-specific academic progression criteria that does not allow Pass/Fail grading.
For the Fall 2020 semester academic scholarships, Pass grades and letter grades will both contribute to the total credits earned, but Pass grades will not enter into GPA calculations. Decisions on scholarship reinstatement will be made, as always, on a case-by-case basis.
INTO students must contact Dr. Frank Gaughan (Frank.P.Gaughan[at]hofstra.edu) for advisement regarding this grade option.
Teacher candidates completing Hofstra’s New York state registered program, seeking certification through Hofstra University, can use the Pass/Fail option during the Spring 2020 semester. Please Note: Students seeking certification through an alternative route, not through program completion/recommendation, will need a B- or above in content and pedagogy coursework at the graduate level. Hofstra’s P at the graduate level is equivalent to a B- or better. Still, graded courses are recommended if you are choosing this pathway.
This policy does not apply to the Law School or the Medical School.

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