We're dedicated to helping you succeed during this unique year full of challenges and opportunities. While this fall 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 Fall 2020 semester. 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 in response to the impact of COVID-19, we want to support you as best we can. Included below are services and resources available to you virtually:
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.
To help students navigate challenging times, the College of LAS has established the LAS Emergency Fund. This fund helps to provide relief for current students who experience unexpected financial need due to emergency situations. For more information about the fund (and the application form), click here.
As you navigate your semester, please contact the following individuals with specific questions related to the College of LAS.
Looking for a place to study for exams? Through the fall semester, spaces will be available across campus, including in Lincoln Hall, and you even can reserve a seat in the theater to take final exams.
Through COVID-Corps: Action for Solutions, you can earn credit as you assist in conducting research and helping mitigate the pandemic on our campus, in our community, and in the world.
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.
Grade Replacement Option for Spring 2020 - If you elected Grade Replacement for a course that you now wish to move to Credit/No Credit status, you should know that, if you earn a CR for the course, the previous grade will be replaced (will not be counted in your GPA). If you do not earn credit (NC) in the course, the previous grade stands (and remains counted in your GPA), just as would be the case if the course retained standard letter grading; however, any hours you use for Grade Replacement count towards the maximum of 4 courses/10 hours.
Course Drop Deadline for Spring 2020 - You may drop a semester course or a 2nd 8-week course (POT B) through May 6 in Enterprise Self-Service. If you plan to graduate in May 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. If you are an International Student on F-1 or J-1 visa status, you must also seek Reduced Course Load approval from ISSS.
Overload Requests for Spring 2020 - Due to increased demand for 2nd 8-week (POT B) courses, we cannot approve Overload (over 18 hours) Requests for Spring 2020 at this time. Exceptions will be made for students who were required to terminate their study abroad experience in Spring 2020.
Academic Standing and Probation Concerns
We will not place students on Drop Status after the Spring 2020 Semester
Students currently on Probation can clear themselves by earning the required term GPA and posting major and cumulative GPAs of 2.00 or higher
Credit/No Credit Option (CR/NC) for Spring 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 and suspect you may earn a passing grade but lower than a C-, you should not elect the CR/NC option.
You should consult with your departmental advisor regarding the implications of CR/NC on graduate and professional school applications.
If you are taking a course that is required for transfer to another major, please check back on April 3 for updated information.
If you believe you’ll be eligible for Dean’s List or are a James Scholar, please wait to make your CR/NC decisions.
If you earn CR in your Spring 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.
Declaring or changing a curriculum or major -For adjustments to LAS declaration criteria for changes effective SU20 or FA20, please view the COVID-19 ICT/CC adjustments document.
