Updates on Academic Planning for Spring 2021

As we begin the Spring 2021 semester, the college has recognized the importance of ensuring the most accessible learning environment that supports student success. Faculty, along with staff and administration, have continued to make adjustments to some of our essential processes and policies and create systems that enable students to focus on their educational experience. Below you will find a review of the essential updates for the Spring 2021 semester with further detail for each component, including policies, the Academic Calendar and Learning Technology access.

  • Updated Academic Policies for Spring 2021
    • Grade/Pass/Fail Policy
    • Dean’s List Policy
  • Updated Academic Calendar
    • Registration begins Thursday, January 21st at 8:30am
    • Add/Drop Period ~ with deadlines for Course Drop and Course Withdrawal
    • Break Days ~ No classes on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 and Friday, April 30, 2021
    • MAP Day ~ moved to Thursday, March 25, 2021
    • Grade/Pass/Fail submission deadline for Spring 2021
  • Learning Technology – Securing hardware and software for the semester, including Chromebooks and Wifi.
ACADEMIC POLICY UPDATES

Grade/Pass/Fail Policy

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following changes to the Grade/Pass/Fail (G/P/F) policy apply to Spring 2021 semester:

  1. Students may, if they wish, exercise the G/P/F option on any or all course(s) that they are taking in Fall 2020, Winter 2021, and Spring 2021 semesters.
  2. Any Ps recorded on a student’s transcript for Fall 2020, Winter 2021, and Spring 2021 will not count towards a student’s normal limit of one P grade in any given semester, nor towards the limit of three P grades allowed them during their four years at Wheaton.
  3. Students may fulfill any general education requirement with a grade of P for a course they take in Fall 2020, Winter 2021, and Spring 2021.
  4. Students may, for all majors and minors, fulfill major and minor requirements by earning a grade of P for courses taken in Fall 2020, Winter 2021, and Spring 2021.
  5. Students who are studying abroad in Fall 2020, Winter 2021 or Spring 2021 and receive a P in their courses will earn the same academic credit at Wheaton for that coursework as they would have earned under normal circumstances.
  6. The Committee on Academic Standing will determine the student deadline for submitting G/P/F requests.

In order to select this option, students should complete the G/P/F form found in WINDOW through insideWheaton.

Spring 2021 Dean’s List Policy

A Dean’s List shall be compiled at the end of the Spring 2021 semester. It shall contain the names of all those students who have completed at least two graded courses (total of 2 course credits) in the Spring 2021 semester and whose academic standing for the semester is a GPA of 3.50 or higher.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR UPDATES

ADD/DROP Period and Online Registration Forms to Add Courses

The Add/Drop period will begin on Thursday, January 21 at 8:30am. Students can add and drop courses with available seats and no other course restrictions via web registration in WINDOW through insideWheaton.

To register for a course that is full and/or has registration restrictions requiring instructor permission, students should use the online form available in WINDOW on insideWheaton. See instructions below. The college no longer will be using paper Gray Cards or other paper forms. The Registrar’s Office will continue to operate remotely and will not be in the office to collect or process paper forms.

Please note that students WILL NOT be permitted to attend a class to request permission to enroll. If a student needs instructor permission, all requests must be completed electronically using the online form.

Online Student Forms are available in WINDOW

Go to: insideWheaton>WINDOW>Student & Financial Records>Online Forms for the Office of the Registrar

  • Request for Permission to be signed into a class.
    • Use this form to request instructor permission to be signed into a class. Complete the form and send it via email to the appropriate course instructor. (e.g., instructor permission required, override enrollment limit, prerequisite, class year restriction, etc.)
    • If approved, the instructor may forward the approval to the Registrar or use a faculty online form in WINDOW.
  • Independent Study and Honors Courses
    • If a student is working with a faculty member to enroll in an independent study course for Fall 2020, ask the instructor to submit a request to the Registrar via a faculty online Independent Study Course Form in WINDOW.

NOTE: Holds that prevent registration

  • Students should remember that there are some holds that prevent course registration if not resolved prior to the web registration dates. To check a student account for holds, go to: insideWheaton>WINDOW>Student & Financial Records>View Holds

Critical Dates in the Spring 2021 Academic Calendar

  • Registration Period Ends: The last day to register/add a course will remain as Thursday, February 11, 2021.
  • Break Day for Mid-Semester: No classes on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.
  • MAP Day: On Thursday, March 25, 2021, MAP Day programs and advising meetings will take place from 9am-2pm. On this day, classes with start times earlier than 2pm are cancelled and those beginning at 2pm or later will take place.
  • Dropping from a Course: The deadline to drop courses without record will remain as Friday, March 26, 2021.
  • Grade/Pass/Fail Submission: The deadline for submitting a Grade/Pass/Fail (G/P/F) has been moved to Friday, April 23, 2021.
  • Break Day for End-of-Semester: No classes on Friday, April 30, 2021.
  • Withdrawing from a Course: The last day to withdraw from a course with a notation of WD has been moved to May 7, 2021, the last day of classes.
LEARNING TECHNOLOGY

Some components of the Hybrid Tutorial Model and remote learning experience require students to have access to specific technologies in order to complete classwork successfully. Students will need reliable wifi and access to a computer, with a webcam and mic for any virtual interaction with faculty and peers. Having trouble accessing these learning technologies or others as outlined in your course syllabus? First, students should work with their faculty instructor to clarify requirements for learning technology pertaining to any courses. Next, students can reach out to their Student Success Advisor in Academic Advising for help with acquiring material or software or contact us at [email protected].

Students and the college community should be on the lookout for additional information about Learning Resources for this semester to support the educational experience in this hybrid/remote learning environments. The Academic Advising staff looks forward to working with students virtually throughout the semester and to remain even further connected, please follow us on:

Instagram: @wheatonadvising

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wcmaacademicadvising

Twitter: @wheatonadvising

We look forward to supporting each student throughout the semester!

– The Academic Advising Staff, Filene Center for Academic Advising and Career Services

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