Dear Undergraduate Students,  

I am writing with an important update regarding the grading system in use for the Spring 2020 semester. In recognition of the many different challenges students may have faced this semester related to the pandemic, the McDaniel faculty has voted that grades of Ds and Fs will not be calculated into students’ GPAs this semester.

For this semester only:

• Grades of D+, D, D- or F will not be calculated into students’ cumulative GPAs.
  • Grades in the D range will be recorded as DX, such that credits are awarded, but the GPA is not affected.
  • Grades of F will be recorded as FX, such that no credits are awarded and the GPA is not affected.
• Grades of DX and FX will be given instead of D or F grades in undergraduate classes, regardless of whether students opted into the Pass/D/F policy or not.
• Official transcripts will carry a notation explaining the meaning of DX and FX grades.

If you have questions about this update, please contact your advisor or your academic deans (academiclife@mcdaniel.edu).

As you move into finals week, I hope that this information will ease concerns if you are currently worried about any longer-term effect that unsatisfactory grades may have on your academic record. I do still encourage you, however, to continue to do your best work in preparing for final exams and completing finals projects/papers.

Wishing you a productive and successful final week of the spring semester.

Sincerely,

Julia Jasken

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Julia Jasken
Executive Vice President/Provost
McDaniel College