Alternative Grading Option Spring 2020
All Dakota State University students are strongly encouraged to work closely with academic advisors and other program representatives to determine possible implications of choices related to grading for the spring 2020 semester.
Alternative grading options do not apply to any graduate courses at DSU or any courses taken by undergraduates enrolled in the Respiratory Care major.
This is the form undergraduate students (with the exception of students in the Respiratory Care program) will use to select S/U grades for classes taken during the Spring 2020 semester. The form will be available for use beginning May 4, 2020. Students can make alternate grading selections between May 4 and May 18, but all selections will be final at that time. Students who received an Incomplete for the Spring 2020 grade, however, will be able to make alternative grading selections once the final grade is recorded, as per policy. Completing the form will require students to enter their user id/password credentials.
Frequently asked questions
Updated: 04/03/2020 5:00 p.m.
Why is DSU giving students the choice to change spring 2020 grades to S/U?
- DSU is providing this choice for some courses in recognition of the unprecedented circumstances related to COVID- 19. To maximize student success and learning, the University recognizes the challenges inherent as courses have moved online and students and faculty work from home settings.
- The instructor of your class will assign a letter grade at the end of the semester.
- Students may select to convert a letter grade of A, B, or C to a grade of S.
- Students may select to convert a final letter grade of D to a U. Students who select the U (rather than keeping the D grade) will not receive applicable credit for the course and the grade will not be calculated in their grade point average.
- All grades of F shall be automatically converted to grades of U. Students receiving the U grade will not receive applicable credit for the course and the grade will not be calculated in their grade point average.
Which students are not able to request that their grades be recorded as S/U?
- Alternative grading options do not apply to any graduate courses at DSU or any courses taken by undergraduates enrolled in the Respiratory Care major.
Will the credits from a course recorded as S/U count toward graduation?
- Students will receive course credit toward graduation for any class in which they earn an S. Students will not receive course credit toward graduation for any class in which they earn a U.
Can I pick and choose which courses to take S/U?
- Yes, students may request any or all courses be changed to S/U except any graduate course or any course taken by undergraduates enrolled in the Respiratory Care major.
Can the S/U course count towards my major or minor?
- Students may use Spring 2020 S/U graded courses to fulfill major/minor /certificate requirements.
Does the course instructor have to grant approval or permission for a student to switch to S/U?
- No. It is a student’s decision and the course instructor is not involved in the decision, is not aware of your decision and your decision cannot be overruled by the instructor. We do suggest, however, that contacting your advisor may be helpful in making your decision.
Can a S/U graded course meet General Education requirements?
- Students may use Spring 2020 S/U courses to fulfill any graduation requirement, including all general education requirements.
If I desire a course S/U, can it be used in a future semester as a course prerequisite that requires a minimum grade?
- Yes, a S/U grade earned in a Spring 2020 course may be used to fulfill a prerequisite minimum grade requirement in a future semester.
Does a S/U course affect my GPA?
- A grade of S/U will not factor into your GPA.
How will this impact students who are graduating in May 2020?
- For undergraduate students who are graduating in May 2020 and choose to have any of their grades recorded as S/U will need to earn an S or D in all of the courses required for graduation. Note that some programs may require a minimum grade of C (or S) in courses. In this case, a D does not meet graduation requirements in those programs.
How do I declare a course S/U?
- First, review the letter grades assigned by course instructors and consult with your academic advisor and others as needed. Details on the process to select S/U grading via an electronic form that is being developed will come at a later time.
What is the timeframe for declaring a course S/U?
- The time frame for requesting that a grade be recorded as S/U will be open from May 4, 2020 (first day of finals week) until midnight on May 18, 2020 (two weeks later). Selections for choosing alternate grading options or retaining original grading are final and cannot be changed at a later date
What happens if a student does not request that a class's grade is recorded as S/U?
- Unless a student specifically chooses to have their grade in a class recorded as S or U, they will be graded in the traditional A-F grading system or in whichever grading system the class was originally intended to grade them.
Is this optional?
- This is entirely optional. DSU has designed it with the intention that choosing to select S/U grades will not negatively impact future academic success.
What happens if a student takes an incomplete for a course in spring 2020? Can the student select S/U grade this summer after completing the course?
- Yes. All A-F grades that are reported for Spring 2020 semester – regardless of the exact start or ends dates of the class, regardless of when the grade is reported – can be recorded as S/U.
How will graduate and professional schools view grades reported as S/U when students apply to their institutions?
- Many institutions have already gone to some type of alternative grading option for spring 2020. That being the case, one can reasonably expect that graduate and professional schools will take the unique circumstances in mind as they consider applications. If you are planning on attending graduate or professional school, you may want to elect to receive letter grades. Discuss with your academic advisor or faculty member.
Will students who opt into S/U grades and who earn an S still be able to repeat the course?
- Yes. Regardless of the grade earned and recorded, courses recorded as S/U are exempt from any policies limiting a student’s ability to retake the course.
Will S and U grades impact my ability to meet financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards?
- To maintain SAP, students must complete and pass at least 67 percent of cumulatively attempted credits. U grades (like F grades) will count as credits that have not been completed. If you do not meet SAP standards due to COVID-19 related circumstances, you will have the opportunity to appeal to continue receiving Federal Financial Aid.
If I am currently receiving financial aid on a probationary status, how will converting grades to S and U impact my eligibility for financial aid?
- If you are receiving financial aid on a probationary status contingent upon my meeting certain requirements or following an academic plan, please contact Financial Aid at fa@dsu.edu to discuss how converting to S and U grades will impact your eligibility.
If a student is enrolled in an Honors class, how will the S/U affect the honors credit?
- Students earning either a passing grade or “S” will earn Honors credit for the course.
Will the use of the S/U grades put an undergraduate student at greater risk of going on probation or being suspended?
- Letter grades that have been converted to an S or U will not be used by any entity at Dakota State University in decisions about probation status. No student will be placed on academic probation and suspension due to grades received during the spring 2020 semester.
Are the faculty aware that a student has elected S/U when assigning final grades?
- No, faculty will not know which students have elected S/U when they assign final grades.
I am a student athlete. How does receiving a S/U grade affect my eligibility for athletics next year?
- All student-athletes are strongly encouraged to contact the Athletic Academic Advising Office before choosing the alternative grade. Please contact Dana Hoff prior to making your choice at dana.hoff@dsu.edu.
What happens if a student is repeating a course and elects the S/U option?
- The repeat process will work as it has in the past. The prior grade will no longer count in the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA). Credits earned for the current course will count. Because the course is being taken S/U, the grade earned will not be calculated into the GPA.
Does S/U grading option apply to non-degree seeking students?
- Yes, the option to declare S/U applies to undergraduate non-degree seeking students.
Does S/U grading option apply to dual credit and concurrent credit students?
- Yes, however, high school students participating in high school dual credit or concurrent credit programs should consult with their school counselors/advisors prior to selecting the S/U option to ensure that S/U grades will comply with local school district policies.
Would S/U grades for required education courses cause any issue with certification, and, if so, would the SD DOE be able to make an exception due to the circumstances?
- The SD DOE will accept an S grade for South Dakota Indian Studies. If an applicant now, or at a later point, wants to add an endorsement based on a major in content, the class cannot be used unless it has a letter grade. Similar requirements may exist if seeking certification from another state. Check with that state’s Department of Education (DOE).
How will S/U grades appear on my transcript?
- For courses where the S/U grade have been selected, the course grade will appear as S or U on the transcript.
Are there any possible negative effects if a student chooses to take an S grade in a course?
- There are no possible negative consequences for choosing to take an S grade instead of a letter grade in the context of studies here at DSU. However, depending on future plans, outside parties may view an S/U grade differently from a letter grade. Keep in mind that the use of alternative grading is being widely used by a large number of universities.
What if I change my mind and want the grade changed back to regular A-F grading?
- Once a student submits the change request for S/U grading, it cannot be changed back to regular grading.
What other factors should be considered before deciding to convert a course to S/U?
- A student who is doing well may decide to not convert a course(s) to S/U because a strong letter grade will improve the GPA.
- A student who is concerned about not having a letter grade for graduate of professional school may not want to convert to S/U.
- A student who plans to enter a profession where a letter grade is critical for competitive employment may not want to convert to S/U.
- A student who plans to pursue overseas employment where a letter grade is essential may not want to convert to S/U.
If I have additional questions about declaring a course S/U, where should I go?
- Contact your advisor about your choice and about any impact your choices might have for future courses or admissions to future programs. Academic advisors are available to communicate with students remotely. Questions can also be directed to the university advising office at DSU-Advising@dsu.edu.