Ohio University made the decision Thursday to continue providing undergraduate students with the Satisfactory/No Credit, or S/NC, grading system for Spring Semester, according to a university news release.
The S/NC grading option will only be available for select undergraduate classes and will have “a more robust course exemption process,” according to the release. Colleges must have their request to exempt classes by March 5, and the list of classes exempt from the S/NC grading option will be released to students March 12, according to the release.
Class exemption requests must be based on evidence in order to get approval, such as accreditation standards or a particular grade in the course leading to future success in a program, according to the release.
Student Senate leadership and Faculty Senate’s Educational Policy and Student Affairs committee worked in consultation with the Academic Policy and Process Group to recommend extending the alternative grading system.
Concerns on continuing the S/NC grading system were heard, but disruptions like quarantine, illness, lack of Internet access, mental health and other concerns, which disproportionately impact minority students, were factors in the decision, according to the release.
Earlier this semester, several students created petitions urging OU to reinstate the S/NC system, including the vice president of Student Senate.
Though the S/NC option is now available for the Spring Semester, the S/NC option will not be available for summer courses or the upcoming Fall Semester.
