Learning in age of remote instruction

Remote learning will continue at all of the Penn State campuses through the remainder of the spring semester.

WEST CHESTER » As West Chester University prepares to launch alternate modes of instruction (Zoom, Skype, conference calling, and email) for the remote education of students on March 30, the university announces a temporary new “opt-in” grading system for all undergraduate and graduate students for the spring 2020 semester and until the disruption to the learning environment lessens from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy is designed to reduce the stress that many students are experiencing due to worldwide disruption. One week after grades have been posted for the semester, WCU’s temporary policy allows for undergraduate and graduate students to choose from two available grading options that will enable students to complete the semester successfully without fear of negatively impacting grade point averages (GPAs). The flexible policy is effective immediately.

“In the midst of today’s sweeping global health challenges, West Chester

University stands by its promise to put students first and foremost in order to help them succeed,” stated an email message sent to WCU students, faculty, and staff on March 27 by WCU President Chris Fiorentino, Provost Laurie Bernotsky, Deputy Provost Jeffrey Osgood, and Chair of the Curriculum and Academic Policies Council Josh Auld.

“The University understands that over the course of the last few weeks, students’ lives have been totally disrupted by a pandemic that has ripped across our nation and turned day-to-day living completely upside down,” the University-wide email acknowledged. “Knowing that the stresses of this reality are indeed creating an added burden for our students, WCU is seeking to maintain an educational environment centered on learning by focusing on the acquisition of the knowledge and skills necessary for students to be successful in their personal and professional lives. It is in this context that we are implementing a temporary policy that allows our students to focus on what is most important: learning.”