The University expanded its pass/fail option for all undergraduate courses as an alternative to earning a letter grade for the Fall 2020 semester.
Students have until Nov. 17, the last day of classes this semester, to elect the option for a course.
Provost Bob Blouin made the announcement in an emailed message to the campus community Thursday evening.
In his message, he said the decision to offer these academic accommodations to undergraduate students is in response to the increased challenges and stress caused by the University’s decision to implement remote instruction for the semester.
The pass/fail option will be made available to undergraduate students taking courses — numbered below 700 — in the College of Arts & Sciences, Kenan-Flagler Business School, School of Information and Library Science, Hussman School of Journalism and Media, School of Education and the Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Courses will receive one of three grades: pass, low pass or fail. Grades of C-, D+ or D will be converted to a Low Pass and cannot be used for graduation requirements, according to the message.
“Students, including undergraduates, enrolled in other professional schools or programs in The Graduate School will follow the decisions of their professional school or of The Graduate School,” Blouin said in the statement.
According to UNC Media Relations, Provost Blouin consulted with the University’s Faculty Council and with the University’s deans, who shared the policy with faculty in their schools. The provost and Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz also discussed the policy with student groups.
Courses given pass/fail credit will still be eligible for students to use toward their major, minor and degree requirements. There is also no limit on the number of courses students can declare as pass/fail for the semester.
