Spring 2020 grading policy

HCC is implementing a temporary change to our grading policy for all Spring 2020 classes. Given the abrupt changes we have all had to make to our daily lives, we want to do everything we can to help alleviate some of the stress our HCC Family is facing. We will implement the following temporary change to our grading policy for all Spring 2020 courses. The temporary change allows our students to choose the grading option that best suits their needs during this unprecedented time.

Before Final Grade Assignment

Students have two options available to them prior to when final grades are assigned for a course.

Withdrawal Option

The date to withdraw from courses has been extended to May 10, 2020. Students who withdraw from a course during the period of March 1, 2020, to May 10, 2020, will receive a COVID19 designation with the grade of W. The Withdrawal option:

Will not count against the number of allowed withdrawals from your undergraduate career
Will only withdraw you from your course. The time frame for getting tuition refunded has passed; hence, it will cost you time and money.

Incomplete Option

Skills Labs & External Learning Experiences
Any skills lab courses and external learning experiences that cannot be completed this Spring will automatically receive an Incomplete for the semester. This is ONLY for labs that cannot be completed. If you were able to successfully complete your lab instruction in an online format, then this would not apply. Students in these situations do not need to request the incomplete, it will automatically be assigned. These students should work with their instructor to craft a plan and timeline to finish their coursework within six (6) months of the end of the term. These students may request an extension of up to 12 months.

All Other Courses

For any other courses, if students cannot complete their course (e.g. lacking only a few assignments and/or documented extenuating circumstances), they may contact their faculty member to discuss a grade of Incomplete before May 10, 2020. If agreed, these students should work with their instructor to craft a plan and timeline to finish their coursework within six (6) months of the end of the term. These students may request an extension of up to 12 months.

After Final Grade Assignment

After the submission of final grades, students may select a traditional letter grade (A-F) or a pass/fail grading option.

Pass Option – If you earned a passing grade per the defined passing grade in the course syllabus, you may select this option. You will have until 5 pm on May 22, 2020, to select this option. The Pass Option (will not be calculated for GPA):

Will count for credit earned.
Will count toward HCC academic progress with exceptions to some specific programs (e.g. health sciences, public safety, etc.).
Will count toward HCC degree completion with exceptions to some specific programs (e.g. health sciences, public safety, etc.).
Will appear on transcript as (P).
Will fulfill a prerequisite course requirement for a future HCC course.
Will fulfill financial aid, veteran benefits and SEVIS requirements.
To understand how a grade of Passing may impact transfer requirements to other institutions scroll to the bottom of this page or contact the.

Fail Option – Once grades are posted, you may elect to receive no course credit by picking this option. You will have until 5 pm on May 22, 2020, to select this option. The Fail Option (will not be calculated for GPA):

Will Not count for credit.
Will Not count toward HCC academic progress.
Will Not count toward HCC degree completion.
Will appear on transcript as (NCR).
Will Not fulfill a pre-requisite requirement for a future HCC course.
Will Not fulfill financial aid or veteran benefits.

Submitting Your Grade Option Selections

Students have until the following deadlines to submit their selected grade option for each course.

Withdrawal – May 10, 2020 by 5 pm
Incomplete – May 10, 2020 by 5 pm
Traditional Letter Grade – May 22, 2020 by 5 pm
Pass/Fail Options – May 22, 2020 by 5 pm

Students who would like to withdraw should follow the established policy to notify the College. Instructions about how you can submit your selected grade option for a letter grade or pass/fail can be accessed here.

We appreciate the concerns and ideas that several of our students have shared with us regarding grading, and we want you to know we hear you and have developed this flexible grading policy with you in mind. As we shared, this temporary grading policy applies only to Spring 2020 courses that will end on May 17, 2020