Dear Pitt Students,
As the University moves to a remote teaching style for the next five weeks, we are embarking on a new way of engaging with each other to help you realize your academic goals. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff as we navigate this situation together. I know this will be a challenging time for all of us, but we are Pitt and we will forge ahead to meet those challenges!
Coursework and Communications
Your professors will be communicating with you about course information, the technology tools they will be using to teach, expectations about how you will engage with the course, and other details about assignments and due dates. I know that many of them have already done so and some of you have participated in practice sessions – thank you for that! Please do not assume that courses will remain exactly as they were outlined during the face-to-face time. Keep in mind that your instructors may have to alter the course assignments and schedules to accommodate our remote teaching environment. We all need to be flexible with each other as we move into and navigate this new environment.
You will likely use a variety of technologies in the coming weeks to communicate with your faculty and classmates. Some of your classes will make extensive use of CourseWeb/Blackboard or Canvas, while others may use video conferencing, email, and even telephones to connect.
Here’s a list of a few of the more common technologies you should be prepared to use from your computer, tablet or phone (note that not every tool works in every environment). Visit the links to learn more about them:
- Make sure you are regularly checking your Pitt email.
- Get started with Blackboard/CourseWeb by visiting these CourseWeb web pages.
- Connect to Canvas (if you are part of the early adopter course) by visiting the Canvas Learning Center
- Zoom is a new online meeting tool your professors may be using to facilitate remote teaching and learning. It integrates with CourseWeb/Blackboard and the University’s new Learning Management System Canvas; it can be reached via my.pitt.edu. Learn how to use Zoom and test your access from Pitt IT’s hub page.
The Pitt IT team can help with technology-related questions or challenges you may have. Contact the 24/7 IT Help Desk (412-624-HELP) or visit the IT Resources to Support Remote Work web pages.
Grading Policies
Understanding the uncertainty of this unprecedented situation is a source of significant anxiety for many of you, and to help decrease stress and facilitate your continued academic success, the University is adopting a significant level of flexibility in course grading for this semester. After the conclusion of this term, all undergraduate and graduate students will be permitted to convert any of their courses during this spring term from a letter grade basis to a satisfactory (S)/no credit (NC) basis. Moreover, all courses that are awarded S grades will count toward graduation/degree requirements and satisfy future course prerequisites, while those courses awarded NC grades will not negatively impact a student's GPA.
By allowing this change to be made after grades have been assigned, we are enabling students to consider all of their options and have time to contact your advisors to fully discuss the potential impact of their decisions, including effects on specialized program accreditation, external scholarship eligibility, impact on future educational pursuits (i.e., graduate school, medical school, residency applications), etc. Additional guidance aimed at helping you, your faculty, and advisors with this process and decision will be forthcoming.
While maintaining instructional continuity is important to your continued academic success, we understand that this challenging situation may pose unforeseen obstacles for students. We remind you that Pitt IT and your instructor should be your first resources when you face technology/connectivity or instructional hindrances, respectively. If those efforts prove temporarily unsurmountable, faculty will award incomplete (G) grades as a last resort. In those cases, we will do what is necessary to ensure that subsequent completion of those G grades does not result in additional tuition charges for affected students. In addition, and as needed, flexibility will be granted with respect to the disposition of the G grade.
I want to thank you for your flexibility as we begin to navigate the new normal of higher education during these days of social distancing and remote operations. We are committed to your success and well-being.
With luck and continued observance of public health guidelines, we will all be able to reconvene on campus in person in the coming months and put these days of concern and isolation behind us. It is my belief that, as we continue to adapt and work together, this experience will make a strong Pitt community even stronger.
Hail to Pitt!
Ann E. Cudd
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor