Dear graduate students,
We hope this email finds you well, engaged with your academics, and taking time to take care of yourselves. We realize that this is a stressful time and that the disruption caused by covid-19, coupled with social and physical distancing may have impacted your ability to be successful this semester. We’d like to share some information to support your academic success this semester.
Dropping classes
The University is allowing students to drop classes through the Friday of Week 14 (5pm, April 24) with a grade of W. A W grade is not calculated in your cumulative GPA. There is no refund for dropped classes.
If you are supported as a GTA/GRA/GTI, please contact the Graduate School prior to dropping classes, if possible, to receive permission to be registered for less than 9 credits.
International students may drop below 9 credits in the spring 2020 semester while maintaining their student status. If you have questions regarding your status, please contact International Programs and Services.
To drop a class, email the Registrar’s Office at registrar@mtu.edu making sure to include both the course information and your M number. The deadline for withdrawing from a single course with a W will be extended through Friday of week 14 (5pm, April 24). Please submit your request no later than 5pm.
Withdrawing
If you would like to withdraw from all of your classes, please complete a Student Withdrawal form no later than 5pm on the Friday of week 14 (April 24). You will receive a grade of W in all of your courses. There is no refund for your tuition if you withdraw.
If you are supported as a GTA/GRA/GTI, please contact the Graduate School prior to withdrawing, if possible.
International students should contact International Programs and Services to ensure that their student status and I-20 are updated.
Non-graded classes
(EDIT: 4/24/2020. If approved by the administration, pass/fail grades will be allowed for graduate students. Please see the updated information on our blog.)
The University Senate has passed a policy to allow undergraduate students to convert graded classes to non-graded classes (pass/fail). Graduate students will not be able to change the grading mode for their classes. The Graduate School requires that classes earn a letter grade (A, B, etc.) in order to be used toward a graduate degree.
Each graduate program may allow up to six credits of BC or C grades to count toward a graduate degree. Please consult with your graduate program director to determine the academic standards in your program.
Student support
Our student support coordinator, Anna McClatchy, is available to help you find additional resources for your personal and academic concerns. HuskyFAN is available to provide emergency food for those in need. Finally, Counseling Services is providing individual services, group sessions, and seminars through remote services and referrals.
Academic grievances
If you have a grievance about any grades you have received this semester, please use the Academic Grievance policy to address these concerns.
Good standing
(EDIT: 4/24/2020. Senate Proposal 54-20 puts probation and suspension on hold for spring 2020.)
Graduate students must maintain good standing in order to continue pursuing a degree. In general, this requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and making progress in research.
A switch in academic standing from good to probationary status may occur after a poor academic performance. This is simply an indicator (or warning) that improvement is needed and has no impact on a student’s ability to participate in a degree program in the next semester.
However, if a student is currently on academic probation, continued poor performance would lead to academic suspension. All students who are suspended are encouraged to appeal this decision so that they can remain active in their academic program. The Graduate School reviews these appeals holistically and understands that it may have been an extra challenge to return to good standing this semester.
We are here to help. Please let us know how we can assist you this semester. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Sincerely,
Graduate School