Professor still hasn't changed to Pass/Fail

EatwillBAux-K
Wed, 11 May 2016 00:34:28 +0000

@dfbdfb which one? The University registrar or the engineering registrar?

I actually spoke with Engineering registrar in person, and he was the one who said it’s possible to switch to Pass/Fail with the professor’s instructor. Today I called University registrar(apparently they don’t do any student meeting so it’s either phone or email) and they say it’s the issues within the COE division.

To summarize what happened:

1. I tried to meet my advisor during March to swtich to Pass/Fail(I had very serious family problems and I was too distracted to do well in all classes, and Cell Bio was the worst), but couldn’t meet her because she was constantly busy, and I wasn’t able to see any other advisors.

2. On early April, I find out it’s too late. I then decided to get at least B-, but later learns I can’t even get B- because I screwed up 3rd exam really bad.

3. On late April I finally decided to email to someone in higher position, which was Dean of Engineering, who then directed me to “our registrar”(he used these words), and the director of engineering service. Then I set up an appointment, met him, and explained why I would like to switch to Pass/Fail and why I was doing badly in this semester in general, and he told me that as long as the professor allows it, it should be possible. Also told me to tell the professor to email him.

4. Had an appointment with the instructor, explained him what I heard from the registrar. The instructor immediately agrees to give Pass/Fail and to send email to the director. At that point I thought it was all taken care of.

5. The exchange from this point are all done by emails. After final exam I see C-, and I contacted the instructor. He said he contacted the director, and if COE approves the changes it’s gonna take a while to change. Final grades are due by Tuesday, but if it has not switched, the earned grade for the semester will remain until they have made the change. At this point, it is out of his hands and into the hands of the Registrar.

6. This is where I might have made mistake-maybe I really should have waited until today? I emailed the director to ask how long it will take to switch to pass/fail, then the director replies that the instructor has to submit a grade change; This is done through the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office. This email reply was sent to me, the instructor, AND the Associate Dean of the College of A&S.

7. The instructor then emailed me that:
either the Dean’s office in the A&S College considers my explanation for the request in change of status regarding your registration and switch you to Pass/Fail , or The Dean’s office in the COE grants you a late withdrawal from the course for the semester. If neither worked, I would receive letter grade. Obviously I can’t withdraw because this one would result in me being part time student. He also says “I literally I literally cannot submit a “change of grade” unless the Dean’s office in the College of Arts & Sciences officially alters your status. The Pass/Fail choice is not an available option at this time through MyBama or Blackboard Learn…and I do not think it will be an option unless your registration status changes”. Also, he said I should talk to the Dean of A&S College, and get an approval for Pass/Fail switch for change of grade.

8. Then I was going to email the Dean, but then the Associate Dean that the Director had contacted in no. 6 says that even though the class is under the A&S College, it should be processed within the COE because I am under engineering division, therefore the A&S college has no jurisdiction.

9. At this point I got so frustrated-seems like no one was particularly interested to help me-so I contacted the Dean of the Students as one of poster here suggested, but it didn’t help either. He said exactly same thing: it should be handled by the instructor and/or the COE Dean’s office.

10. Then I email to COE Dean again, then he replies that I should talk to University Registrar office. I called the Registrar, then the lady who she identified herself as Student Service Associate answered that the Registrar can’t just change the grade to Pass/Fail, and that it should be done in our COE division.

So…overall nothing has been solved yet. Maybe I should just move on? My fault in this matter would be not acting fast enough…