Undergraduate Student FAQ
(Spring 2020 Exceptions approved by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, Undergraduate Council, General Education Committee, and Student Government Association.)
The academic and enrollment policies described below will allow students the opportunity to make the most informed decisions possible regarding their coursework, based on their individual circumstances, to ensure continued academic progress and degree completion. We hope that by offering this flexibility, students will be able to adjust to their new academic environment and focus on doing well in their coursework to successfully complete the Spring 2020 semester without the need to withdraw.
In considering the options below, students are encouraged to wait until after May 27, when Spring 2020 final grades are posted, before submitting a request to change the grading method to the Pass/Fail option, before making the decision to withdraw from an individual course(s), or before making the decision to withdraw from the entire semester.
Last Day to Request Grading Method Change from Regular to Pass/Fail (P/F):
Requests accepted through June 10
Students currently enrolled in a course under the regular grading method (A, B, C, D, or F) may request to have their final grade changed from an A, B, C, or D to a Pass (P) by submitting a request to the Registrar’s Office. Note: Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to discuss the various implications (i.e., applicability to major/minor/certificate requirements, pre-requisites, professional school requirements, financial aid and scholarships, etc.) associated with changing the grading method to the Pass/Fail option.
Pass (P) Grades for Spring 2020 Courses will be Permitted to Satisfy General Education Requirements
With the exception of English composition (pending necessary clarification from the Maryland Higher Education Commission), all courses with an approved General Education designation with Pass (P) grades will be permitted to satisfy the General Education Requirements for Spring 2020 courses only. Note: For major, minor, and certificate requirements, only courses enrolled under the Regular grading method in which a letter grade of “C” or better is earned will be permitted, unless otherwise indicated by the academic program.
Pass (P) Grades for Spring 2020 Courses will be Permitted to Satisfy the Writing Intensive Requirement
Pass (P) grades will be permitted to satisfy the Writing Intensive requirement for Spring 2020 courses only. Note: In cases where the Writing Intensive course also satisfies a major, minor, or certificate requirement, students must confer with their academic advisor in the academic department to discuss this option. It is the discretion of the academic department to determine if a (P) grade in a Writing Intensive course will also be accepted for purposes of the major, minor, or certificate requirements.
Last Day to Withdraw from an Individual Course(s):
Deadline Changed from April 6 to June 10
Students may withdraw from an individual course(s) via myUMBC self-service through May 12. After this date and through June 10, students may submit an RT Help Ticket to the Registrar’s Office and the withdrawal will be processed administratively. Note: Students are strongly encouraged to confer with their academic advisor before withdrawing from an individual course(s) to ensure they have exhausted all other options to successfully complete the semester. Students who are receiving financial aid or scholarships should also contact their financial aid counselor to determine any impact a “W” grade may have on their future financial aid.
Last Day for Complete Semester Withdrawals (Grade of “W”):
Deadline Changed from May 12 to June 10
Students may withdraw from the entire semester via myUMBC self-service through May 12. After this date and through June 10, students may submit an RT Help Ticket to the Registrar’s Office and the semester withdrawal will be processed administratively. Note: Students are strongly encouraged to confer with their academic advisor before withdrawing from the entire semester to ensure they have exhausted all other options to successfully complete the semester. Students who are receiving financial aid or scholarships should also contact their financial aid counselor to determine any impact a “W” grade may have on their future financial aid.
Additional Policy Options
As students are seeking options for Spring 2020, we want to remind you of the following additional academic and enrollment policy options:
- Incomplete (I) Grade Option: If a student is passing a course but is unable to complete the coursework for reasons beyond the student’s control, the student may request to be granted an Incomplete grade. A grade of “I” may be granted at the discretion of the course instructor. Students should have a written agreement with the instructor that specifies the work remaining in the course and timeline for completion. More information regarding the Incomplete grade option is available here.
- Requests for an Exception to Enrollment: In rare and exceptional cases, students may submit a Request for an Exception to Enrollment for the last day to drop course(s), last day for term withdrawal, and last day to cancel enrollment.
- Requests for an Exception to other Academic Policies: All other academic policies remain in force. Students who are in need of an exception to other academic policies may submit a request to the Academic Success Center for consideration of exceptions including: late-add petitions, course repeat petitions, petitions to waive graduation requirements, non-applicable semester petitions, and grading method adjustments beyond the deadline.
Policy Questions?
If you have a policy question that is not addressed here or you are unable to find the policy resource that you were looking for, please email academicpolicyquestions@umbc.edu and support will be provided.