April 10, 2020

Credit/No Credit option for undergraduate students extended to May 15

Undergraduate students now have the option to change their spring course grading mode through Friday, May 15. This extension allows students the flexibility to see their final grades before choosing whether to convert to credit/no credit. There are different steps to follow after the grade has been posted. Students received an email with instructions last week. 

The option has been expanded to include undergraduate courses that were previously eligible only for a letter grade, including 5000 level courses. However, the grade mode of 5000 level courses may not be changed in GoWMU. Students have been instructed to email the Registrar's Office between April 28 and May 15 if they would like a 5000 level course grade mode changed to credit/no credit.

As a reminder, credit/no credit can be changed on a course-by-course basis, and major/minor courses are included. “Credit” will be posted for each undergraduate student who earns the grade of “C” or better at the end of the semester. “No Credit” will be posted for any grade below a “C” at the end of the semester.

Note: Students with a registration hold can email @email with their WIN and course information, and Registrar's Office staff will make the change for them. 

Upcoming virtual events and updates from Admissions

The Office of Admissions has added several opportunities for admitted and prospective students to connect with us. Visit wmich.edu/admissions/virtual to see the various initiatives and activities. In addition, Admissions will be hosting a virtual admitted student event on Friday, April 17. Other virtual admitted student events will be hosted on May 1, 15 and 29.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Admissions has adjusted some deadlines and policies, including:

• First-year scholarship offers will be honored until at least June 1 (extended from May 1). June 1 is the fall semester application deadline.
• The transfer scholarship deadline has been extended until May 1. Aug. 15 is the fall semester application deadline for transfer students.
• Due to ACT and SAT test cancellations, Admissions has implemented a test-optional admission policy for the remainder of 2020 entry and 2021 entry terms.
• Until K-12 and higher education institutions are back operating as usual, unofficial transcripts will be accepted for admission decisions. Students who enroll will need to submit official final transcripts.

Changes to orientation programs

The Office of Student Transitions will provide an online orientation for new beginning students, in lieu of our traditional June in-person orientation program. All incoming students will be required to complete online orientation. Additionally, the in-person Transition Orientation Programs (TOP) for transfer and adult beginners during May and June are canceled, and these students will also be encouraged to complete online orientation. We look forward to the new opportunities on how we can creatively and virtually serve our incoming students. 

Summer camp updates

If you were scheduled to run a summer camp but you are canceling or changing to an online format, please email Alexis Arocho in the Office of Precollege Programming so these changes can be noted on our web page. If you have questions about how your summer camp should proceed, please email Dr. Erika Carr.

All camps should be registered with the Office of Precollege Programming. If you have not yet registered your camp, complete the online registration form at wmich.edu/precollege/camps.

Deadline to return catalog proofs extended to May 15

Due to COVID-19, the deadline for departments to review the 2020-21 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog proofs, make editorial corrections and return materials to the Registrar's Office has been extended to Friday, May 15. If you have questions, please email Kelley Oliver. 

Federal Work-Study updates

• All students who were scheduled to work from March 5 forward are still eligible to get paid under the Federal Work-Study program.
• On March 27, all timekeepers and supervisors in departments, units and colleges received a communication from payroll about the process that they MUST follow and document for audit purposes.
• On March 27, all Federal Work-Study students received a communication with instructions to partner with supervisors and submit timesheets as requested.
• Please work with your Federal Work-Study employees to make sure they are paid during this time (from the March 31 payroll to May 12).

Please direct questions to Angela Madden, work-study coordinator.

Following up with students who have not registered for summer 2020

All eligible students who have not registered for summer courses received a registration reminder email from the Registrar's Office earlier this week. In the email, we included a link to the WMU Course Offerings page and reiterated tips to ensure a smooth registration process (e.g., checking for holds and speaking with an advisor). 

If you would like to communicate with unregistered students in your area, there is a Cognos report available to help. The report, 21.00.20 - Students Registered in Prior Terms Not Registered in Future Terms, can be found by going to the Retention folder (21.00). This report excludes students who have graduated, applied for graduation or been academically dismissed. Please email John Scott with questions.

Did you know? A fun fact from the Registrar...

Since announcing the grade mode extension to undergraduate students, 2,029 have changed one or more of their courses to credit/no credit.