April 1, 2020
Dear Pace Students:
 
I hope you are feeling well and staying safe during this difficult time. Among all the recent challenges, it’s been deeply rewarding for me to see the resilience, flexibility, and commitment of the Pace Community in action. You’re all working hard, adapting to changed circumstances, and doing the hard work that I know we can count on from you. I admire your perseverance. We are all committed to continuing your educational journey and supporting you in every way possible, and we look forward to seeing you back on campus once we’re through all of this.
 
Today I am announcing policy updates regarding pass/fail grades, course withdrawals, and housing and dining fee adjustments. I know you’re eager for this news. A great deal of discussion and analysis has gone into these policies, and we believe they best position both our students and our University for future success. Please read these guidelines carefully.
 
PASS/FAIL GRADES
In consultation with the academic deans and each Faculty Council, we have developed the following policy regarding pass/fail grades:
 
  • For most classes, you will have the option of choosing a pass/fail grade. Pass/fail is not a workable option for students in some professional schools and programs (e.g., College of Health Professions, School of Education) because of licensure and accreditation requirements. It may also impact your financial aid eligibility, as a “pass” grade will not improve your GPA/QPA. Be sure to consult with your academic advisor before choosing a pass/fail grade to ensure it’s a good option for you.
  • You must notify your professor in each course in which you wish to choose a pass/fail grade no later than Monday, April 27, using the form that will be available starting next week on this page of the Provost’s Office website. The choice to move to a pass/fail grade in a course will be final.
  • Pass/fail grades will be an option for both undergraduate and graduate students. For undergraduate courses, a letter grade of D or above will earn a “pass.” For graduate courses, letter grades of C or above will earn a “pass.” Any pass/fail grades earned during our remote learning period will be annotated to indicate that you chose this option due to the coronavirus crisis. 
  • Students at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law should follow the optional pass/fail guidance previously provided by the Haub Law administration.
 
COURSE WITHDRAWALS  
  • The last day to withdraw from a course with instructor permission will be Monday, April 20. This is an extension from the previously scheduled withdrawal deadline of April 6. 
  • Withdrawing from a course can affect your financial aid. Be sure to consult with your academic advisor before withdrawing from a course.
 
HOUSING AND DINING FEE ADJUSTMENTS
We know that our responses to the pandemic are having a unique impact on our residential students, and we’ve developed policies to adjust housing and meal plan fees in recognition of any hardship that may have been caused. They are as follows:
 
  • We will adjust housing fees for those students who left residence halls. For New York City students, the adjustment amount is $2,000; for students in Pleasantville and at Haub Law, the adjustment amount is $1,600. These adjustments will be paid to you directly, less any outstanding balances on your student account.
  • You may choose instead to apply this adjustment as a credit against your Fall 2020 tuition and fees. If you choose that option, we will add a $200 bonus. That makes the total credit $2,200 for New York City students and $1,800 for students in Pleasantville and at Haub Law, less any outstanding balance on your student account. This credit can be used against either tuition or fees, including by graduating students pursuing further education. To choose this option, you must visit MyHousing by May 16 to indicate your choice on the Early Departure Adjustment Preference form.
  • All unused meal plan balances will roll over to the next academic year, consistent with standard University policy. For graduating students, the unused portion of your Spring 2020 meal plan allocation will be refunded. 
  • The process and timeline for issuing these adjustments are still in development. We’ll communicate that information to you soon.
 
CAMPUS ACCESS
  • Please remember that although the University remains open and operating, our campuses are closed except for essential workers and students who have registered to remain in residence halls. No one should come to campus who has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) or is exhibiting symptoms.
  • Any mail or packages received will be held in the mail rooms until next semester. Mail will not be forwarded to student homes.
 
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
In this changed time, Pace University remains committed to maintaining an educational, working, and living environment that is free of all forms of discrimination and in which every member can thrive. Acts of bias, discrimination, and harassment run counter to our University values and to Pace’s policies, including our Guiding Principles of Conduct and Non-Discrimination policies (PDF) . Our commitment to providing services and support to our community remains steadfast in this remote period. The following offices and their services are still available for your support:
 
 
These and all other updates and policies are available at www.pace.edu/coronavirus .
 
I know that these are difficult and uncertain times. The changes we are making in response to this global pandemic will affect everyone at Pace not only now but also in our future. We believe these new policies will best position our students and our University to work together through this semester and be well-positioned for next year and our strong futures. 
 
All of us at Pace are here to support you. Please talk to your professors and advisors with any questions about academics. Reach out to Residential Life for concerns about housing. We know that this is a stressful time, so remember that the Counseling Centers are available to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And if your family’s financial situation has been affected by this crisis, please be sure to contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your changed needs.
 
I look forward to seeing you back on our campuses in the next academic year. Until then, take care and stay well.
Sincerely,
Vanya Quiñones, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs