Dear SCU Undergraduate Students, Faculty and Staff:

In response to widespread student requests for increased academic flexibility during COVID-19, and in recognition of the steep challenges that students and faculty have faced since the Winter quarter began on January 4, the University will reinstate the changes that were made to the undergraduate pass/no pass (P/NP) grading policy last spring, effective immediately. In addition, the deadline by which undergraduates may withdraw from a class with a “W” will be extended. 

For Winter 2021 and Spring 2021, the following changes will be implemented:

Option to Withdraw

The deadline by which undergraduates may withdraw from a class with a “W” has been extended from the end of week 4 to the end of week 10 (Winter quarter: Friday, March 12; Spring quarter: Friday, June 4). 

Pass / No Pass (P/NP) Option

All undergraduates, regardless of class standing, may select the pass/no pass (P/NP) option for any undergraduate course.

The deadline for selecting the pass/no pass (P/NP) option has been extended from the end of week 4 to the end of week 10 (Winter quarter: Friday, March 12; Spring quarter: Friday, June 4).

The pass/no pass (P/NP) grading option is permitted for all core, major, minor, elective, and prerequisite courses.

Courses taken pass/no pass (P/NP) in Spring 2020, Winter 2021 and Spring 2021 will not count toward the limit of 6 pass/no pass courses taken in total at Santa Clara.

Per the Undergraduate Bulletin, a passing (P) grade is equivalent to a letter grade of "C" or better.

Important considerations for students:

Choosing to withdraw from a course late in the quarter or to take courses with the “P/NP” grading option may have implications for international students, students receiving Financial Aid, NCAA athletes, students with ROTC or GI Bill scholarships, and recipients of some privately funded scholarships. Therefore, we encourage students to consult with their academic advisor, Office of the Registrar, or Drahmann Academic Advising Center, in addition to any other relevant office (e.g. Financial Aid, ISS, Athletics, ROTC, and Veterans Administration) before choosing either of these options. 

Students who are considering a pass/no pass (P/NP) option should note that a pass/no pass (P/NP) grade is not factored into a student’s grade point average. Additionally, students who receive a grade of no pass (NP) will not earn academic credit for the course, whereas credit is earned for a letter grade between “C-” and “D-”. Finally, it is important to note that some external organizations (external funders, graduate and professional schools) have specific letter grade requirements.

Requests for the “P/NP” grading option can be made at the Office of the Registrar website, using this Request for Pass/No Pass online form. Withdrawals from courses can be completed via eCampus.

Requests to change a grading option for courses completed in Summer 2020 and Fall  2020 will not be considered.

The decision to extend these undergraduate registration deadlines and to temporarily expand the “P/NP” grading option was made after broad consultation with deans and associate deans in the College of Arts and Sciences, Leavey School of Business, and School of Engineering; the Office of the Registrar; Drahmann Advising Center; Office of Student Life; and Undergraduate Studies. Working within a very short time frame, the chairs of the University Coordinating Committee, Academic Affairs Committee, Faculty Affairs Committee, and Faculty Senate Council also expressed their support for these temporary adjustments to our policies. We are grateful to all of the faculty, staff, and students who provided input.

Sincerely,

Kate Morris
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Lisa A. Kloppenberg
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs