Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) Grading

Directive on Satisfactory & Unsatisfactory (S/U) Grading for Spring 2020

Background

Currently, S/U grades are assigned to a small percentage of courses. S/U grading modes are set by course as requested by the college. Student requests to change their grading mode are normally not permitted.

Proposed Change:

This one-time directive would permit students to convert their grading mode to S/U during the Spring 2020 term.

All undergraduate and graduate courses are included except for FGCU Accelerate (graduate on-line courses), and dual enrollment sections (ACE/Collegiate Academy students and courses).

Time Line and Process:

Students will have until midnight on Sunday, April 19, 2020, to request the conversion to S/U grading mode for one or more courses via an online form for Spring 2020. This form will be electronically forwarded to the Office of Records & Registration. Information will be forthcoming for Summer 2020.

The electronic form would list the conditions under which the student would need to read and certify that they understand.
Students may choose one or more courses to be converted.
Faculty will enter final letter grades on Gulfline as usual by the published deadline. For courses that students choose to convert, Banner will convert to S/U grades according to the following table:

Letter Grade	S/U Grade	Letter Grade	S/U Grade
A	S	C-	U
A-	S	D+	U
B+	S	D	U
B	S	D-	U
B-	S	F	U
C+	S	I	I
C	S	NR	NR

Letter grades of W, WF, etc., will remain unchanged.
There will be an ability for a student petition to the Office of Records and Registration after grades are posted with appropriate documentation of extenuating circumstance (s).

Impact on GPA:

S/U grades do not count in the computation of a student’s GPA, thus S/U grades will not result in an increase or decrease in a student’s GPA.
S/U grades are counted towards a student’s completion ratio and maximum time frame in financial aid calculations, but do not count in the GPA calculation.
“S” grades receive academic credit while “U” grades do not.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

There will be informational FAQs posted on the FGCU COVID-19 and Records & Registration web pages.

Can I choose a S/U grading option for a Spring 2020 course?
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Can all students request the S/U grading option?
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This option is available to both Graduate and Undergraduate students. However, this grading option will not apply to the following:
- FGCU Accelerate (Graduate online courses); or
- All FGCU Early College / Dual Enrollment / ACE / Collegiate Academy students and courses.
How do I request the S/U grading option?
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Students (Undergraduate and Graduate) will opt-in via an online form for one or more courses. The online form will be submitted directly to the Office of Records and Registration by April 19, 2020 for Spring 2020.
Can I select just one course for S/U or do I have to select all my courses for an S/U grade?
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Why am I allowed to request the S/U grading option for courses that were not allowed before?
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FGCU is making the S/U grading option broadly available to you as a result of the unprecedented disruptions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are hoping this option will help reduce your uncertainty and stress so that you can focus on finishing the semester successfully.
Will my Professor know that I am taking my course for an S/U grade?
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No, not unless you tell your Professor. Your Professor will continue grading your work, as specified in the syllabus. He or she will submit your letter grade at the end of the semester to the Office of Records and Registration. Banner, our student database, will electronically change your letter grade to an S/U letter.
How will letter grades be converted to S/U grades?
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FGCU will use the current grade mapping or the equivalencies listed in the FGCU catalog. The following letter grades will correspond with an S/U:
- Undergraduate courses: The letter grades of A, B, C are equivalent to a grade of “S” and letter grades of C – (minus) through F are equivalent to a grade of “U.”
- Graduate courses: An “S” grade is equivalent to letter grades of a C or better, and a “U” grade is equivalent to a grade of C- or less.
Will the S/U option be available to me permanently?
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Can I still ask my Professor for an incomplete (I) grade?
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Yes. The current plan is to manage incomplete (I) grades as they are normally done. When you complete the work required for your Professor to enter a grade, that grade would then be converted to the S/U.

How will the S/U impact my GPA?
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S/U grades do not count in the computation of a student’s GPA and only “S” grades will receive academic credit. S/U grades will not result in an increase or a decrease in a student’s GPA.
How does an S/U grade affect my academic standing?
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Since a student’s GPA is not affected by S/U courses, a student’s academic standing (undergraduate) at the end of the term would be dependent only on any regularly graded courses included in a student’s schedule.
How do I know if selecting an S/U grade is the right choice for me?
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Please review the following S/U grading map:
- S (Satisfactory) = Letter grade A through C
- U (Unsatisfactory) = C- (minus) through F
- Due to minimum grade requirements established by some colleges, departments and programs, students are advised to review all options before selecting the S/U grading option.
- If you are unsure if an S/U grade is the right choice for you, please consult with your Academic Advisor.
How will an S/U grade impact the GPA needed to graduate?
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Undergraduate seniors need a minimum GPA of 2.0 to graduate. If they are on the threshold, they may need letter grades in order to raise their GPA and graduate. Letter grades will increase or decrease a student’s GPA. S/U grades do not count in the computation of a student’s GPA.

How will an S/U grade affect my eligibility for the President’s / Dean’s List?
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How will S/U grades affect admissions requirements for Graduate School?
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Bachelor degree recipients, who are applying to graduate school, should be mindful of how S/U grades may affect their GPA and should check the admission requirements at their graduate school of choice.
How will S/U grades impact course sequencing?
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If something changes, will I be able to adjust or change my S/U request?
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How does a S/U grade affect Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid?
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Will a S/U grade change my GPA?
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I need to improve my GPA in the Spring term to meet Bright Futures renewal criteria. Can I do so while receiving S/U grades?
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No. S/U grades will not result in a change in your GPA. If your GPA is 2.8 after the Fall term and you receive all “S” grades in the Spring term, your GPA will remain 2.8.

If I apply for the S/U grading option, do I need to continue to attend class and complete all of the course requirements?
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Yes, students must continue to attend their class and complete all course requirements. The S/U grade is awarded based on the final grade earned in the course. The final grade will reflect all course requirements as outlined in the course syllabus.
I use Veteran’s Educational Benefits, may I utilize the S/U grading mode?
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Per Veterans Affairs (VA) guidelines, there is no impact in benefits regarding the S/U grades. However, we advise students using VA Education Benefits to review all aspects of the FGCU’s S/U grading guidance and how it may or may not impact your education requirements. Additionally, please visit https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ for updates and contact the VA School certifying official at FGCU with any questions or concerns.
May a student submit an S/U grading conversion request for one part of a co-requisite course (i.e. a lecture or a lab) and not the other?
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Can I use a satisfactory/unsatisfactory course for Grade Forgiveness?
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Grade forgiveness guidelines do not permit classes with different grading modes to be utilized. However, limited exceptions to the grade mode requirement will be permitted for courses taken as S/U during the Spring 2020, semester, either as the original course or the repeat course. Grade forgiveness forms submitted for different grading modes require an academic advisor signature.
May students pursuing Academic Amnesty be permitted to request S/U grading option?
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It is highly recommended that students in this category not utilize the S/U grading option as they have special completion conditions attached to their coursework mandated by the Academic Standards Committee.
Do some programs have special guidelines regarding S/U grading?
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Yes, we recommend all students review their specific college guidelines.

Noted below are guidelines for students in the Marieb College of Health & Human Services.

MPAS Program
No S or U

The MPAS program currently has 80% as the minimum passing score for all PA graduate courses. MPAS students remain with the A/B scoring. Some of the scholarships for PA students ask for their current program GPA. In addition, the PA honor society also requires GPA for the induction of students into Pi Alpha.

MSHS Program
Only 1 “C” is allowed in the program

Social Work
BSW & MSW Programs
No S or U

Counseling
No S or U

No conversion to S/U for grades for courses that meet CACREP standards for accreditation.
These include all MHS 6000 level courses except Practicum, Advanced Practicum and Internship or Clinical Internship courses.

Nursing
Undergraduate Nursing
S or U

Graduate Nursing
MSN Nurse Anesthesia; MSN Nurse Educator; BSN-DN;, MSN-DNP Programs No S or U

Rehabilitation Sciences
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs
No S or U