Deadline for UW Students to Request S/U Grading Extended to April 30

University of Wyoming students now have more time to request a shift from conventional letter grades to “satisfactory/unsatisfactory” grading for courses they take during the current spring 2020 semester.

The UW Board of Trustees approved the change today (Wednesday) in response to a recommendation from the university’s administration. Students now have until April 30 to submit requests to change from conventional grading to “S/U” grading under the new policy, which applies to all undergraduate and graduate coursework, not just elective courses.

The change resulted from UW’s move to online course delivery for the remainder of the spring semester, prompted by concerns over the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

Undergraduate students are required to consult with and obtain approval of their instructors and academic advisers before making the change. Graduate students must receive approval from their major professors. An exception request to change their grading option is available on the Office of the Registrar’s website -- www.uwyo.edu/registrar -- and must be filled out by students and electronically signed/approved by their advisers or major professors.

Neither a “satisfactory” nor an “unsatisfactory” grade has an impact on a student’s GPA. But an “unsatisfactory” grade does not allow the student to receive course credit.

Students applying to graduate school, including professional schools, or if their lives are not disrupted dramatically by the coronavirus crisis, are advised that it may be beneficial for them to stay with conventional grading and have letter grades displayed and calculated into their GPAs. Students should discuss possible federal aid impacts with their advisers and/or the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid before requesting the switch.