Taylor is extending the deadline to apply for pass/fail classes until May 1.
“We want to be responsive, we don’t want you to feel that you have no options,” Provost Michael Hammond said in a video that was sent out on April 4.
This decision was made in an effort to be flexible and considerate of each student's academic needs in light of the recent move to online classes for the remainder of the semester.
Hammond said that Pass/Fail and drop options are typically only available at the start of a new semester.
“This is not a typical semester, so we have been trying to work with faculty and academic departments to assist in every way possible,” Hammond said. “Our faculty have been very responsive to students and their needs.”
Larger universities such as Georgetown University Law Center, Harvard University, McNeese State University in Louisiana and University of Utah among others have moved to mandatory pass/fail classes, according to the Washington Post.
However, Taylor made the decision not to mandate the switch to pass/fail classes, in order to consider every student's individual needs.
Hammond said that pass/fail classes are not always the right option for all students, but can be beneficial in some cases.
“Mandating a switch for everyone may seem easier but it does not serve everyone well. Taylor is not a “one size fits all” college and we like to work with individual students,” Hammond said.
When considering applying for pass/fail classes students must take into account a myriad of factors.
These include, impact on overall GPA, transcript, eligibility for honor societies, athletics eligibility, graduate school admission and scholarship requirements.
“We have been working over these past few weeks and trying to send a message consistently that faculty and administration are trying to work and be flexible in this really unique situation that we are in,” Hammond said.
The main goal of the university is to remain flexible during this time and consider all requests made from students.
Typically to submit a request for a pass/fail class the student must meet certain requirements. However, most requirements are being reconsidered this time.
“Consequently, the University is open to entertaining requests and in some extraordinary circumstances may relax the guidelines of the policy,” said Scott Gaier, director of the Academic Enrichment Center. “However, the cutoff of a C- to earn a pass will remain in effect and is not negotiable.”
In order to submit a request, students must communicate their needs with their course instructor, advisor and deans.
The option to withdraw from classes has also been made available until the end of the semester.
Requests can be made through a form that will be sent to the Office of the Registrar, where they will be considered.
“I hope that all students know how much our faculty and administrators are all working to make the best out of this semester,” Hammond said. “This is a tough transition, but we also want to be flexible and think of the best way to move forward.”
Hammond said above all else it is important for students to reach out and communicate their needs to faculty members, advisors, department chairs, deans or Hammond himself over email.
To submit a request, email and submit to the Registrar (registrar@taylor.edu) before May 1. https://public.taylor.edu/offices/registrar/documents/forms/pass-fail-registration.pdf
