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1. The University has decided that Pass/Fail grading and late drop options be offered to undergraduate students who have taken courses in Term 1, 2020-21, with details set out below. 

Pass/Fail Grading Option

2. Under this one-off arrangement, students will be allowed to opt for Pass/Fail grading of a course/ courses that they have taken in Term 1, 2020-21 that are originally not on Pass/Fail grading basis, subject to the following conditions:

• Faculties/ University Core Requirement course offering units may specify courses that do NOT allow Pass/Fail grading.

• Pass/Fail grading option is offered for all University Physical Education courses. 

• Application for Pass/Fail grading for Term 1, 2020-21 is capped at a maximum of 6 units (exclusive of Physical Education courses). 

• In order to maintain a fair assessment on honours classifications and to follow the spirit of clause 4.4(b) of the General Regulations Governing Full-time Undergraduate Studies that at least 2/3 of the Major requirements should be taken at CUHK, the total number of course units that a student has opted for Pass/Fail grading during his/her undergraduate study will be capped at 1/3 of the Major units that will be used for calculation of the Major GPA of his/her Major Programme.  

The application procedure is described below:

3. The Pass/Fail grades will NOT have any effect to the calculation of students’ grade point average, including Term GPA, Cumulative GPA and, where applicable, Major GPA.  Students will be reminded once again that these grade point averages are contributing factors to the assessment of honours classification, and to the progression (i.e. academic standing) and determination of Dean’s lists.  

4. Students who have opted Pass/Fail grading for a particular course and who pass the course will earn the credit units of the course as specified.

5. Course teacher should NOT disclose the letter grades (if any) to students who have opted for Pass/Fail grading, as a matter of principle and fairness to all students.

Late Drop Option

6. Under this one-off arrangement, all undergraduate students who have registered for courses in Term 1, 2020-21 will be given the option to late drop one or more course(s), in CUSIS during the special late drop period from 16 - 22 November 2020, except those courses specified by Faculties/ University Core Requirement course offering units that do NOT allow late drop.

7. Blanket endorsement from the Major Programme(s) concerned and approval from the Registrar are also deemed to be given for students whose course loads fall below the minimum course load requirement of 9 units as a result of late-dropping the course(s).

8. Students must observe the application deadline strictly, which is a one-off arrangement after which they will have to follow the normal procedure for dropping courses as stipulated by the University Regulations.

9. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to drop all courses registered in Term 1, 2020-21.  Students who do not wish to register any courses in a term should provide full justifications and apply for suspension of studies for consideration by the relevant authorities following the University’s existing procedure. 

Reminders

10. For each course, students can only submit applications to choose one of the above two options.  Students who have not submitted any applications for these options will be graded according to the existing grading basis of the respective courses.

11. The deadline for late drop and/or submit the application for Pass/Fail grading under CUSIS is 22 November 2020.  Late applications will NOT be considered and NO changes will be allowed after the stipulated deadline.

12. Students should consult their academic advisers before they choose to drop a course or opt for Pass/Fail grading for any course(s) to ensure that their academic progress is on track. Moreover, courses that are opted for Pass/Fail grading will be recorded on transcripts as “P” or “U” only, which may not provide enough information on the academic performance of the student on the courses/subject selected for Pass/Fail grading. When employers, universities, selection panels for scholarships/awards etc. examine the transcripts in detail, they may take into consideration the specific courses and the number of units students opted for Pass/Fail grading in making decisions for offers on employment, admission to postgraduate studies, scholarships, awards and other opportunities, where applicable. Therefore, students should think carefully when opting for Pass/Fail grading.  

Registry

November 2020