November 9, 2020

To all faculty: 

With the unanimous agreement of your school deans, I write to announce I am extending the fall 2020 grading policy of CR/GC/NC for both the J-Term and spring 2021 semester. 

This policy applies to all undergraduate students; in addition, graduate programs that offered the CR/GC/NC option in the fall will do so again in J-term and spring, using the same criteria. Professional schools will announce their decisions for J-term and the spring term soon. 

In making this decision, we considered the same factors that influenced our decision earlier this fall. Students continue to experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and personal and family challenges, and many have reached out to encourage the deans and me to continue the flexible grading option.  After discussions with students, the school deans, academic deans, student affairs professionals, the Faculty Senate and other faculty leaders, we settled on the policy I am announcing today.  

The email I sent moments ago to announce this change to students is appended below; please read it for the full background on this decision. It also has more details about when and how students will be able to make their grading selections. While we have not settled on all the dates for spring, we felt it was important to notify students today, as J-Term registration begins.

My thanks go to the student leaders and the faculty and staff who work closely with our students, for their advocacy on this important topic.  I also appreciate the extraordinary work all of you have put into your teaching.  I recognize that this policy creates challenges for you, both in grading and advising students. I’m grateful for the support you offer our students, now and always.  

Sincerely,

Liz Magill, Provost
University of Virginia