DUS News - December 21, 2020

News: 

Making Decisions About Alternative Grading for Fall 2020

When making decisions about alternative grading for the fall 2020 semester, you’ll want to consider how selecting SAT, V, or Z grades will impact your academic goals, keeping in mind that the rules for alternative grades this semester are different from this past spring.  

Most notably: 

  • Not all majors will count fall 2020 courses with alternative grades towards entrance-to-major requirements.
  • Courses in which academic sanctions have been received for academic integrity violations will be ineligible for alternative grading this semester.

There are additional considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to take alternative grades such as financial aid status, program eligibility, Dean’s List eligibility, and the perception of alternative grades when applying to graduate or professional school. These are all reasons to use alternative grading very cautiously and only in situations where you faced significant, unexpected academic challenges due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Resources for considering alternative grading include: the Keep Learning website, the LionPATH GPA calculator, and the upcoming DUS alternative grading workshop. If you are still unsure whether you should elect alternative grades after using these resources, please reach out to your adviser. You can also consult the new alternative grading worksheet tool from this week’s Resource Spotlight to make your decision.

Alternative Grading Workshop:

Important Dates: 

  • December 23, 2020: A link to the online tool used to select alternative grades for each course will be available to students in LionPATH. This will be the same tool that was used for spring 2020.
  • January 12, 2021: All selections must be finalized by 11:59 p.m. (ET).

Remote Start to Spring 2021

Penn State recently made the decision to delay the start of in-person classes and transition to a fully remote learning environment for the beginning of the spring 2021 semester at all campus locations. To provide an uninterrupted educational experience for students, all classes will be delivered remotely beginning on Jan. 19 and will continue remotely through Feb. 12. At this time, classes will transition to their regularly scheduled mode and resume across all campus locations on Feb. 15, though this date could change based on health and safety factors and guidance from the state. If possible, students are strongly discouraged from returning to campus, off-campus locations, and group dwellings (e.g., apartments and fraternities) during the four-week remote period. Regardless of return date, all students must complete a COVID-19 test prior to returning to any campus community. Students, including international students, who cannot make alternative housing arrangements and must return to campus during the remote learning period due to extenuating and/or compelling circumstances, should contact their campus housing office. The University will work with students on an individual basis to make special visit or housing arrangements. 

Read the full announcement on the Penn State News page.

Stay up to date by viewing the Virus Info website.

Leave of Absence

Are you considering taking some time off next semester? If so, you may want to think about filing a leave of absence, which allows you to return to the University without having to apply for re-enrollment and without having to change your academic program. If this is something you are pondering, please talk to your academic adviser as soon as possible, as there are still items that need to be considered (i.e. student aid). The deadline to file a leave of absence for spring 2021 is Friday, January 15, 2020.

Important Dates: 
  • December 18–January 18
    - Update Academics Unavailable
  • December 23–January 12
    - Alternative Grading Decision-Making Period
  • December 24–January 4
    - DUS Office Closed (No Advising Appointments)
  • January 7 (Thurs)
    - Alternative Grading Workshop
  • January 18 (Mon)
    - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO CLASSES
  • January 19 (Tues)
    - First Day of Classes Spring 2021
Resource Spotlight: 

Alternative Grading Worksheet

Considering using alternative grades for the fall 2020 semester? Visit the alternative grading worksheet website to find helpful information to use in your decision-making process.

Events and Announcements: 

DUS Office Closed Over Break

All Campuses

The Division of Undergraduate Studies will be closed for Winter Break starting on December 24, 2020 and reopening on January 4, 2021. Be aware that academic advisers will not be available for appointments, emails, phone calls or to answer questions during this time. Enjoy your time away and have a great break!

Alternative Grading Workshop

All Campuses

Curious about alternative grading and how it will influence your academic career? Come to the group advising session titled “Everything You Need to Know About the NEW Alternative Grading Policy,” to learn more about the fall 2020 alternative grading options.

In this workshop, you will learn:

  • What the NEW alternative grading policy is for fall 2020
  • Why letter grades matter
  • How decisions about opting in to alternative grading relate to entrance-to-major requirements, graduation, and beyond
  • How to make appropriate decisions regarding alternative grading for yourself

One workshop date is still available, and students must register in advance:.

Nominate an Excellent Adviser

All Campuses

Now through December 23, students may nominate advisers for the 2021 Penn State Excellence in Academic Advising Award. Sponsored by the University Advising Council and the Office of Undergraduate Education, the award recognizes and rewards advising excellence.

One award is given annually to a faculty member and one to a professional academic adviser. All current full-time University employees with advising responsibilities and two years of advising experience at Penn State are eligible.

Students who wish to honor an adviser who has helped them navigate the University’s academic system, plan a fulfilling program of study, consider co-curricular experiences, and learn to manage their own educational journey at Penn State are welcome to complete a short, online nomination form.

Advisers selected for the 2021 Excellence in Advising Award will be recognized by the University in the spring.