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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQs
Here's where you will find answers and guidance specifically for Norwich students, faculty, staff, and friends.
How does the alternative grading option equate to earned letter grades?
Earned Letter Grade
Alternative Grade on Transcript
Attempted credits
Earned credits
Counts into GPA?
C+ and higher
HP
Yes
Yes
No
C
LPC
Yes
Yes
No
C-, D+, D, D-
LP
Yes
Yes
No
F
NP
Yes
No
No
Q: How will the alternative grading option affect my GPA? A: The alternative grades have no effect on your GPA, positively nor negatively.
Q: Am I required to switch into the alternative grading mode? A: No. You can keep letter grades as assigned by your professors by simply not opting-in to the alternative grading mode.
Q: Can I switch to alternative grades in every class? A: Yes, but with some exceptions: if you are on a commissioning track or seeking a commission, please contact your ROTC adviser for specific courses in which you may need to keep letter grades. If you are receiving Veterans Affairs benefits, contact the VA certification specialist for advice.
Q: Can I switch to alternative grades in only one class where I am not doing well? A: Yes. You can switch grades for one, several, all or none of your classes — it’s your decision.
Q: If I switch all of my grades into alternative grades, how will my grade-point average be calculated? A: Your semester GPA will have no value, and your cumulative GPA will be the same as it was after the Fall 2020 semester.
Q: My major requires that I pass major-specific courses with C or better. Will my classes still count towards the major if I switch to alternative grades? A: If your alternative grades are HP or LPC, the courses will count towards the major. However, if you receive an LP or NP, the courses will not count.
Q: I need to pass a class with C or better to have a prerequisite for the next class. If I get C- and switch it to LP, will I have met the prerequisite? A: No. To earn a pre-requisite for your next class, you will still need to earn a C (LPC) or better in this class.
Q: I have been approved to receive an Incomplete (I) grade for one of my Spring 2021 classes. Can I switch this class to the alternative grading option? A: No. You will first have to complete the work for incomplete, receive a letter grade, and then decide whether to switch to an alternative grade. This option will be available to you even after the semester is completed.
Q: I withdrew from a class earlier this semester. May I re-enroll and request an alternative grade? A: No. You will still have a W on your transcript for this class.
Q: I’m thinking about transferring. Can I transfer my courses if I switch to alternative grades? A: This depends on the college that you are transferring to. Your Norwich transcript will note letter-grade equivalencies of the HP/LPC/LP/NP grades. Other colleges will decide on credit transferability based on those equivalencies.
Q: If I choose to take alternative grades now, can I switch back to letter grades later? A: Only through the academic petition process. You will need a good reason to switch back to letter grades.
Q: If I choose alternative grades, how will it impact my financial aid eligibility? A: You are still required to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for federal and institutional aid. Alternative grades will not affect your cumulative GPA, however, all credits are still counted as attempted. Any course with an NP grade will count as unearned credits in the quantitative measure. You can always get individualized advice from Financial Aid Office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PROCESSES AND DEADLINES
Q: How can I switch my letter grades to alternative grades? A: After your instructors have posted all final grades in Banner, you may request to switch to alternative grades by completing an electronic Alternative Grade Option Request Spring 2021 form, which will be available starting on Monday, April 26, 2021.
Q: May I request alternative grades before my grades are posted in Banner? A: Technically, yes (after April 26). But we recommend that you wait and view your final grades first.
Q: Will my letter grades automatically become HP/LPC/LP/NP, even if I do not request alternative grades? A: No. If you do not request to switch to alternative grades, you will keep your letter grades.
Q: Is there a deadline for alternative grade requests? A: Yes. All grade alteration requests must be submitted to the Registrar's Office by 11:59 pm. May 17, 2021.
Q: When can I expect to have my grades converted if I choose the alternative grading option? ? A: The Registrar’s Office staff will make grade alteration and degree audits for students who request the alternative grading option in the following order of priority by Monday, June 1, 2021
For graduating seniors
Commissioning students and Nursing seniors must request alternative grades no later than noon EST on April 30, 2021.
Q: When can I expect to have my grades converted if I choose the alternative grading option? A: The Registrar staff will make grade alteration and degree audits for students who request the alternative grading option in the following order of priority:
Commissioning students – by Saturday, May 1, 2021
Graduating Nursing students who are scheduled for NCLEX exams — by Friday, May 7, 2021
All other Graduating students — by Monday, June 1, 2021
Q: What date will be on my degree? A: Graduating students' degrees will be backdated to May 2, 2020, the official degree conferral date. The Latin Honors will be applied to their diplomas in accordance with the university policy on academic honors.
Q: Will Latin Honors still be awarded to graduating students? A: Yes.
ACADEMIC STANDING QUESTIONS
Q: Can I be suspended based on the results of this semester? ? A: Yes, if you have been on probation for the Spring 2021 semester and did not improve to achieve Good Standing.
Q: I am on academic probation. Can I get off probation if I do well this spring? A: Yes.
Q: Can I be placed on academic probation based on the results of this semester? A: Yes, if your overall GPA falls below the values outlined in this policy.
Q: Can I earn Dean's list designation for this semester? A: Yes.
23 questions and answers on spring semester protocols
As Norwich University adjusts to coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions and navigates the Spring 2021 semester, parents and students have posed several questions. Here are answers to queries posed on social media platforms in recent days.
13 questions and answers on Student Health Contract.
As students arrive on campus, Norwich University is devoted to ensuring their safety and the health and protection of the wider Norwich and Northfield, Vermont, communities. In this effort, students, faculty and staff will sign a contract in which they promise, among other things, to wear face masks, keep 6-foot physical distance and alert health staff if they suspect they have COVID-19 symptoms and isolate and quarantine if necessary. Here’s a breakdown of what’s in the contract students will sign.
EMPLOYEE WORK GUIDELINES (effective March 17, 2020)
Temporary Remote Work
Norwich University is open for regular business. However, in an abundance of caution and to help reduce the possible spread of the coronavirus, aka COVID-19, supervisors will allow their employees to work remotely if the employee can:
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