We're dedicated to helping you succeed during this unique year full of challenges and opportunities. While this academic year will be unlike any other, together we can have a rewarding semester.
As we all work through the impact COVID-19 is having on our campus and learning, the College of LAS has collected information for students related to the 2021-22 academic year. Campus-wide information and resources are available on the campus COVID-19 website.
College-level advising
The LAS Student Academic Affairs Office offers advising through an online live chat or through a walk-in system on Zoom.
As you adjust to learning in new ways due to COVID-19, we're here to support you.
College-level advising
Our office in 2002 Lincoln Hall is open for walk-in advising. Please wear a mask and be prepared to show your Safer Illinois building access status upon check-in
You can schedule an appointment to meet virtually with an LAS academic advisor (including AAP, International Programs, and LAS Honors) or schedule an appointment to discuss career development
Vaccination: For Fall 2021, it is required that all students who are able be fully vaccinated if they plan to be on campus with no additional health and safety obligations. Please view the June 21 university massmail for details. Students should submit their Vaccination Record Card in the MyMcKinley Portal.
Testing: Individuals who are not able to be vaccinated and/or who do not submit vaccination records will be required to participate in the COVID-19 on-campus testing program and wear a face covering. More information about the on-campus testing program can be found on the On-Campus COVID-19 Testing Page.
Building access: Students entering many buildings to attend in-person classes may be checked at the building entrance to verify their Building Access status.
As we shift to a hybrid learning environment this academic year, the following resources may be helpful for completing online courses.
Internship, service-learning, and volunteer opportunities—gain valuable professional experience and explore potential career paths in a virtual format. LAS International Programs offers various opportunities for students who are eager to engage in global learning.
We know that unexpected events can affect students' ability to pay your bills which can affect your academic success.
To help students navigate unplanned financial hardship or emergency, we've established the LAS Emergency Fund. This fund helps provide students address their financial challenge quickly, with the goal of minimizing its impact on your studies.
Between online learning, precautions, and uncertainty about the future, we know life as a student can feel heavy right now. That's why we've designed Life + Career Design in the Pandemic to be a simple, four step program that is available to all undergraduate students in LAS.
The deadlines to drop a course without a grade of W and, for undergraduates, to use the campus Grade Replacement Policy, has been extended to the last day of instruction as follows:
1st 8-week (POTA) courses – Friday, March 19, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
2nd 8-week (POTB) courses – Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Full-semester (POT1) courses – Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Nonstandard courses – Last date of instruction, 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Most course drops can be performed through Self-Service until 11:59 p.m. CST on the last day of instruction unless the drop puts the student below full-time enrollment status.
Extension of the drop deadline does not change the refund schedule.
Students who drop a course via Self-Service or who withdraw completely from the university on or before the drop deadline will not receive W (withdrawal) grades. Students who successfully petition their college for a drop of a course or who withdraw from the semester after the drop deadline will receive W grades.
Pass COVID/No Pass COVID (PZ/NZ) grade mode options will be available, replacing the Credit/No Credit grade mode for the Spring 2021 semester.
For changes effective Fall 2021 and beyond, courses used to satisfy LAS major declaration criteria must be taken for a letter grade, not PZ/NZ.
Pass COVID (PZ) will apply to grades of D- or higher, will earn course credit and can be used to fulfill major, minor and general education requirements.
No Pass COVID (NZ) equates to a failing grade and does not earn course credit.
Pass COVID/No Pass COVID grades do not factor into a student’s GPA.
Undergraduates will be able to select Pass COVID/No Pass COVID after final grades are available in Self-Service. The selection period, May 22-27, gives a 6-day window for students to decide if they want to exchange their letter grade for the PZ/NZ grade mode.
Graduate students will work with the Graduate College to submit requests for use of the PZ/NZ grade mode.
The deadline for undergraduate and graduate students to elect or rescind PZ/NZ grading is Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
PZ/NZ grading is not available to students in College of Law programs or students enrolled in the MD or DVM programs.
Grades of F that are the result of an academic integrity violation sanction are not eligible for this option.
Academic adjustments for Fall 2020
In response to advice and input from our students, and approval by the Academic Senate, we are implementing the following academic policy modifications for the Fall 2020 semester. These changes acknowledge the unique and challenging pandemic-related circumstances and the additional stress it has caused for students.
You may drop a semester course or a 2nd 8-week course (POT B) until 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, December 18, 2020 in Enterprise Self-Service. If you plan to graduate in December 2020, please be sure to consult with your Admissions/Records Officer before dropping any courses. If dropping a course will take you below 12 semester hours, please submit an Underload Request. The Underload Request will need to be approved before you can drop the courses, so be sure it is submitted by 11:59 p.m. CST on Tuesday December 15. If you are an International Student on F-1 or J-1 visa status, you must also seek Reduced Course Load approval from ISSS. Please note that course drops at this point will not result in tuition refunds.
Grade Replacement for Fall 2020
The deadline to elect or rescind Grade Replacement Requests has been extended to 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday December 18, 2020. Please note that Grade Replacement cannot be used on Fall 2020 courses in which CR/NC is earned.
Credit/No Credit Option (CR/NC) for Fall 2020
You must earn a C- or higher in the course to receive CR. If your final grade in the course is a D+, D, D-, or F, you will receive a grade of NC (no credit).
If you need the course credit in order to graduate this semester and suspect you may earn a passing grade but lower than a C-, you should not elect the CR/NC option.
Grade Replacement cannot be used on Fall 2020 courses in which CR/NC is earned.
You should consult with your departmental advisor regarding the implications of CR/NC on graduate and professional school applications.
If you earn CR in your Fall 2020 courses, they may be used to satisfy major, minor, and general education requirements. Courses taken for CR/NC are not included in any GPA figures.
To submit your CR/NC declarations, or to reverse the CR/NC option you previously declared, use this form between December 19, 2020 and January 5, 2021. The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. CST on January 5, 2021.
