Emailing the university could potentially be a more effective way of initiating this policy change. (academicaffairs@osu.edu)

Last month, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ohio State University decided to shift to online learning for all of its classes. The university also decided that students would be allowed to opt-in for a Pass/Fail grading system because of the nature of the situation. The deadline to opt-in for Pass/Fail grading was a week before the last day of lectures (i.e. before final exams).

Although these are unprecedented circumstances for everyone, the university should have taken into consideration the uncertainty that goes into deciding between the P/NP and A-E grading system. Having the decision deadline two weeks before final exams inhibited students' abilities to accurately assess their standing in a course and many are now realizing they made the wrong decision. The possibility of family/health emergencies occurring after April 17th was also not accounted for with the early deadline. The uncertainty of the situation should have been accounted for when choosing the deadline-- especially for non-graduating students. We're all stressed. The university's job is to reduce that stress, not increase it.

If the deadline to opt-in is moved to sometime after final exams, students would be able to make a decision that benefits them the most. For instance, many professors grade assignments towards the end of the semester, so some students may have seen their grades drop significantly after choosing not to opt-in and now do not have the option. Others may have seen their grades rise up in the past week, but have chosen to P/NP and won't be able to count them towards their GPA. Hopefully, the university will reconsider its decision and implement this change in policy.

EDIT: Other universities' policies for reference

University of Michigan: “Faculty will continue to record letter grades, but students will receive either a “P” (Pass) or “NRC” (No Record Covid) grade for A-E graded courses. The grade cut-off for a “P” will be the same as the traditional grade minimum for students to receive course credit, which is a C-. Language will be added to transcripts explaining the university’s policy for the Winter 2020 term. Students who are interested will be able to request that their grade for a course be converted to a letter grade. Such requests must be made by July 1, 2020.”

Last Day of Classes: April 21, 2020

Semester Ends: April 30, 2020

University of Cincinnati: UC knows that this semester may have been disrupted due to circumstances beyond your control, and that grades this semester may not reflect your actual learning the way they normally would. We want to do all we can to respond equitably to the diverse impacts the COVID-19 pandemic is having on all of us as we adjust to new ways of teaching and learning during these extraordinary circumstances...Once a final grade is posted by your instructor, a Change Grade to Pass button will appear on the right–hand side of your final grade. You will also see a GPA Calculator link underneath the Official Grades table. This calculator allows you to anticipate the impact of changing your grade to a pass. Note: If a grade is not presented, your instructor has not yet submitted it to Catalyst. You will need to check back later once the grade is posted. You should receive an email once your instructor has officially entered the grade in Catalyst."

Last Day of Classes: April 24, 2020

Semester Ends: April 30, 2020

Rice University: "May 20, 2020 -- is the deadline for Spring 2020 degree candidates to designate a course status to Pass/Fail option. June 1, 2020 -- is the deadline for continuing undergraduate to designate a course status to Pass/Fail option."

Last Day of Classes: April 24, 2020

Semester Ends: May 6, 2020