Aimed to help students complete missed assignments
West Virginia University announced new attendance and emergency leave policies Tuesday that allow a student to withdraw up to week 13 of a 15-week term.
“If students are ill and unable to attend class, work or complete assignments in isolation, the revisions to both the attendance policy and the emergency leave policy give students the ability to work with instructors on how to best complete the course requirements and demonstrate the necessary learning that was missed,” WVU said in a statement.
“If students are under quarantine because of potential contact but are not ill, they are expected to contact their instructors for direction on how to keep up with the content and required work in the course. They should not go to class.”
Under the long-term leave policy revised to reflect the potential impact of COVID-19, the university said any student who withdraws before the end of the 13th week, may need to return portions of his financial aid package. A ‘W’ would then be placed on all courses.
But if a student withdraws after the 13th week, then the relevant dean’s office will review eligibility for credit on courses on a case-by-case basis. If a course is mostly complete and the work is solid, the student would receive the grade earned.
The university said, however, if the work is not complete and the student requests it, the instructor can follow the procedure for an Incomplete with the department chair and the appropriate dean.
“When it is deemed that no credit can be awarded, the student can be administratively withdrawn from the course,” WVU said.
The Pass or Fail grading option will not be available for the fall semester, the university said.
“Since early summer, the Office of the Provost has tasked faculty with developing courses that could more seamlessly pivot to online instruction in response to the evolving public health situation,” WVU said. “In addition, our faculty’s experience in the spring has helped them adapt their classes for this fall, and many instructors have engaged in professional development and training opportunities through the WVU Teaching and Learning Commons. We expect to see more live and interactive virtual classes.”
On-campus students who come down with COVID-19, have the option of quarantining in Arnold Apartments, which will have 160 beds available.
The COVID-19 education module must be completed by all faculty, staff and students by Aug. 22. Students who do not complete the module will have a $250 fee added to their accounts and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. The penalty for faculty and staff who do not complete the module is disciplinary action.
The schedule for final exams is Dec. 7-11 and all will be delivered online.
WVU will discuss additional details during a 10 a.m. video conference Thursday.
TWEET @41Suzanne
