Pitt allows students to convert classes to pass/fail grading

The University of Pittsburgh is allowing students to convert their courses to pass/fail grading when classes resume online next week.

In a letter to faculty members, Provost Ann Cudd said all undergraduate and graduate students can convert any of their courses to pass/fail grading after the semester ends. Passing grades will count toward the student’s degree requirements, while failing grades will not negatively affect their grade point average.

“The uncertainty of this unprecedented time is a source of significant anxiety for many of our students and their families,” Cudd wrote. “To help mitigate student stress and facilitate academic success in the coming weeks, the University is adopting a significant level of flexibility in course grading for this semester.”

The adjustment is certainly welcome among students. An online petition to move classes to pass/fail began circulating this week, according to The Pitt News. By Friday, the petition had garnered nearly 4,000 signatures.

“With the suspension of in-person activities, usual available stress-coping mechanisms like the stress-free zone, student organizations and other campus programming have become unavailable to students,” the petition reads. “Adding to any stress from the personal challenges that students may be facing, many academic resources are no longer easily accessible. Additionally, as professors transition their classes to online, mistakes and miscommunications are likely to occur that may be difficult for students.”

The petition also referenced neighboring Carnegie Mellon University, which announced Monday that students could convert classes to pass/fail. Carnegie Mellon was the first university in the area to make the switch, to allow greater flexibility in the transition to online learning.

Pitt extended its spring break last week amid the covid-19 pandemic. Classes will resume online Monday, March 23, and will remain online for the rest of the semester.

Earlier this week, the university postponed its commencement ceremony. Pitt is also limiting public access to several facilities, including the Cathedral of Learning, Hillman Library and Heinz Chapel.

There are 23,466 undergraduates at Pitt’s main Oakland campus in Pittsburgh and regional campuses in Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown and Titusville, along with 1,087 part-time students, according to figures provided by the university.