Registrar Spring-Summer COVID-19 FAQ

We understand that you probably have a lot of questions about how the rest of your semester will be impacted, and we want to do everything we can to help.

Please refer to this website for answers to general questions or go directly to the University’s main COVID page, which is being continually updated, sometimes several times a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Grading Accommodation
• Graduation

Grading Accommodation

What options are available for grading accommodations in response to the pandemic?

As of March 23, 2020, the University expanded the option for undergraduate students to declare a class pass/fail allowing it to count towards degree requirements. All professors have the option to assign a modified grade of CV instead of an IN for incompletes, selected classes are being modified on a case-by-case basis, and The Graduate School as well as professional schools are making grading accommodations as appropriate for their curriculum needs.
Summer 2020 accommodation:

As of April 2, 2020, the College extended the expanded pass/fail option for enrollments through the summer 2020 terms (including Maymester, summer session I, and summer session II courses). This applies to all undergraduate courses within the College. Professional school students and Graduate School students should consult their programs or deans offices with questions.

How does this apply to an undergraduate student in a professional program or in a graduate level course for the spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters?

Undergraduate students in a professional program or registered in graduate level courses will have to seek approval from their dean prior to requesting their official class grade be recorded on a pass/fail basis. If you need additional information, please refer to your school website, or contact your dean’s office for additional information.

How does this apply to professional programs and graduate students for the spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters?

The deans of the professional schools and The Graduate School will determine which courses, if any, are eligible for pass/fail declaration. If courses are approved for pass/fail grading, students in those classes may have the option to declare it pass/fail. Further information will be forthcoming from your deans offices. The discretion of the professional and Graduate School deans is necessary due to compliance with accreditation and external boards.

What is the pass/fail option?

The expanded pass/fail option for undergraduate students means the deadline to declare a class pass/fail is extended and that classes graded on a pass/fail basis may meet graduation requirements previously excluding these classes. Undergraduate students can switch any enrolled class, that is not in a professional school program or graduate course, to pass/fail for the spring 2020 semester through August 7, 2020.

How do I place a course on or remove a course from pass/fail for the spring 2020 semester? Summer 2020? (undergraduates)

For the spring 2020 semester, undergraduate students, who are not in professional programs, may elect to place a course on or remove a course from pass/fail by submitting the designated form to the Office of the University Registrar (see link below). Students must request this by Friday, August 7th, 2020.

For all summer 2020 terms (Maymester, summer session I, and summer session II), undergraduate students, who are not in professional programs, may elect to place a course on or remove a course from pass/fail by submitting the designated form to the Office of the University Registrar (see link below). Students must request this by Friday, August 7th, 2020.

If I am a student in an undergraduate or graduate level professional program, how do I place a course on pass/fail for spring 2020 or summer 2020?

The deans of the professional programs and Graduate School have communicated any grading accommodation to professional and graduate students for the spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters. Please refer to your school website or contact your graduate program or dean’s office for additional information.

If I declare a course pass/fail, how is my grade determined?

The instructor of your class will assign a final letter grade at the end of the semester.

• • • For classes opted as pass/fail, the letter grades of A-D:
      • convert to a grade of PS (pass) on your transcript and official record,
      • count as earned credit, and
      • not included in the GPA calculation.
    • For classes opted as pass/fail, the letter grade of F:
      • remain on the record,
      • will not earn credit but
      • are included in the GPA calculation.
    • For classes courses using other final grade scales, such as H, P, L, F, grades of H, P or L will convert to a pass (PS). F grades will remain a fail.

Are my faculty aware that my course has been put on pass/fail?

Consistent with the current criteria for students who opt for pass/fail grading, faculty members will not be aware of students who elect the pass/fail grading option when entering final grades.

Will pass/fail courses count toward my earned semester hours for eligibility purposes?

Yes, classes with a PS grade count towards earned semester credit hours.

Will the Tar Heel Tracker accept PS grades for requirements for spring 2020 and summer 2020 courses? (undergraduates)

Yes, the Tar Heel Tracker will accept PS grades and reflect the expanded criteria allowing classes to count towards applicable requirements.

Will the adjusted pass/fail policy have any impact on conferring May degrees, if students have until August 7 to declare or reverse a pass/fail declaration?

There is no impact on conferring May degrees as long as coursework and requirements are completed by June 1st. That said, graduating students are able to exercise the pass/fail option on spring 2020 enrollments until August 7, 2020.

What does a grade of CV mean?

A grade of CV is a temporary grade option to reflect incomplete classwork as a result of the COVID pandemic. This option is in lieu of an IN grade, does not factor into the GPA, does not count towards earned credit hours, and the deadline to replace the temporary grade with a permanent grade is extended 3 months beyond the typical IN deadline. If the temporary CV grade is not replaced with a permanent grade by the extended deadline, it will lapse to a F*. Instructors and students should be in agreement on requirements to complete the class before the CV grade is assigned.

What date will the temporary CV grade be replaced with a F* if work isn’t completed for the spring 2020 semester? (undergraduates)

Undergraduates receiving a CV grade, in lieu of the IN, would receive 8 weeks plus 3 months-time to complete the work of a course with a CV grade prior to converting to an F*. For the spring 2020 semester, lapsing of the CV grade will occur around January 12, 2021. Instructors and students should be in agreement on requirements and timeline to complete the class before the CV grade is assigned.

What date will the temporary CV grade be replaced with a F* if work isn’t completed? (Graduate students)

Graduate students receiving a CV grade, in lieu of the IN, receive 1 year plus 3 months-time (a total of 15 months) to complete the work of a CV prior to converting to an F*. For the spring 2020 semester, lapsing of the grade will occur around July 23, 2021. Instructors and students should be in agreement on requirements and timeline to complete the class before the CV grade is assigned.

What will appear on my transcript?

For all students enrolled in spring 2020, a notation on the official UNC-Chapel Hill transcript will indicate the extraordinary circumstances of the global public health emergency during the spring 2020 semester.

I am taking interinstitutional courses; what grading accommodations apply for these courses?

Students taking courses through Interinstitutional Registration will be graded in the course in accordance with the grading system of the institution where the course is taken. For more information please visit the special enrollments page.

Since all of our classes are online, how will that affect University limits on distance learning?

All spring and summer 2020 courses converted to an online format will not count toward limits on online courses in majors and minor and overall graduation requirements.

If I have additional questions about declaring a course pass/fail, where should I go?

We encourage you to speak with an academic advisor about your choice and any impact your choices might have for success in future courses or admissions to future programs. Professional program students and graduate students should contact their program or deans office with questions.

Graduation

If I request to have a course graded as pass/fail, and this is processed after my degree has been conferred, will the University use my recalculated GPA to award distinctions?

May 2020 graduates whose degrees are conferred between May 10th and June 8th, will have their final distinctions calculated on June 8th. Any academic adjustments made to a graduates’ account after the final distinctions have been calculated will not change the distinctions awarded.

I have applied and plan to complete all the requirements for my degree in spring 2020. What will happen with Commencement?

Students completing all degree requirements will graduate in spring 2020 and the degree award date will remain May 10, 2020. The Spring Commencement event has been postponed. The chancellor is consulting with upcoming graduates about alternative dates and other options for recognizing the significant achievement of graduation.

May I still purchase my cap and gown online?

Students may still buy a cap and gown online.

How long do I have to apply for graduation in order to be a candidate for spring 2020 graduation?

The deadline to apply for graduation has been extended. Students who intend to graduate for spring 2020 must apply by April 24, 2020.

I have applied for spring 2020 graduation. How long do I have to complete work in order to qualify for graduation?

Students who have applied for spring 2020 graduation will have until June 1, 2020, to complete work required to earn their degree, including completing coursework, exams or other required milestones, such as a master’s comprehensive exam, internship/clinical requirement or capstone project/presentation.

If I am finishing up work between the end of the spring semester and June 1st in order to graduate in spring 2020, do I need to sign up for additional coursework?

Graduating students are not required to enroll in additional coursework between May 10 and June 1, 2020, in order to complete remaining work required to earn their degree.

Will The Graduate School extend the deadline for spring 2020 degree candidates to submit an electronic thesis or dissertation? If so, until when?

Yes, The Graduate School has extended the deadline for spring 2020 candidates to submit an electronic thesis or dissertation from April 13 to May 8, 2020.

The deadline for graduates has been extended until June 1st. If I am approved for graduation before June 1st, do I have to wait until after June 1st for my degree to be conferred?

No. Between May 11 and June 8, 2020, degrees will be awarded daily. Once a degree has been approved, the degree awarded will be reflected on students’ accounts the next business day.

I did not complete my work from the spring 2020 semester by June 1st. What do I do?

Spring 2020-degree candidates who do not complete all work required to earn their degree by June 1, 2020, will not be eligible for spring 2020 graduation and must apply for graduation in a future term.

I want to change the name that appears on my diploma. How do I change my diploma name now that the Registrar’s Office is working remotely?

The process and form for students to initiate this change can be found online at the following link: Name Change. If questions, please contact registrar@unc.edu.

When will I receive my spring 2020 diploma?

Graduates who are approved by June 8, 2020, will have the diplomas ordered by the Office of the University Registrar in mid-June. More information on diploma distribution.
Spring 2020 graduates approved for late graduation checkout, due to administrative delays, will have their diplomas ordered the first week of each month, beginning in July.

I normally receive my diploma at my departmental Special Ceremony. Since Special Ceremonies have been cancelled, how do I get my diploma?

Diplomas will be mailed directly to graduates’ home addresses in ConnectCarolina.

How do I avoid diploma delivery delays?

Graduates are encouraged to update their names and/or home addresses prior to the close of ConnectCarolina Graduation Tracker on June 8, 2020.

For more information, contact the Office of the University Registrar