The S/U option is provided to encourage students to explore new academic disciplines. The decision to exercise this option must be made by the end of the second week of classes in which the course will be taken. It is not intended to be used as a means of grade protection after students have assessed their ability to complete required course work satisfactorily.
Students who have completed nine course credits may elect to take one course per term outside their major/minor and major/minor department on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. Students who carry more than three course credits may also exercise the S/U option for the overload course. No more than four grades of S or U resulting from the option may appear on a student's transcript at any one time.
Students may, at any time (e.g., during the term in which a course is taken S/U or after the course has been completed), change the basis of grading in a course from S/U to a letter grade; they may not change from a letter grade to S/U. Instructors submit letter grades (A-F) for all courses not offered strictly on an S/U basis. The Registrar then converts the letter grades to S or U for those students who have elected the S/U option. Grades of C- or above become Satisfactory; grades of D+ or below become Unsatisfactory. A satisfactory performance ensures course credit toward graduation but does not affect grade-point averages. An unsatisfactory performance does not confer course credit, nor does it affect the grade-point average.
Click here for a form to remove the S/U option. Once an S/U has been removed it cannot be replaced.
Click here to return to the forms page.