Dear Lehman College Colleagues:
I was moved by the real and important considerations students brought to the Lehman College Senate on two occasions this spring in support of a Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) policy for the Spring Term of 2021. It was clear by the Wednesday, April 7th, approval of a resolution submitted by the Student Government Association that would have again enabled Lehman students to opt-in to a CR/NC grade for Spring 2021 term that students and some faculty feel strongly that the flexibility and the reduced stress afforded by the CR/NC grading option for the previous three 2020 terms was helpful.
However, because the CUNY Board of Trustees did not extend the CR/NC options at CUNY colleges beyond the Fall 2020 semester, the CR/NC option is not available to Lehman students for the Spring 2021 semester unless the CUNY Board of Trustees takes further action, which I believe will be unlikely. As a reminder, the CUNY Board of Trustees approves all major curricular and related changes. I understand this is a disappointment to many who have fought hard to advocate for a CR/NC option for Spring 2021; however, absent further action by the CUNY Board of Trustees, the College cannot implement a CR/NC policy for the Spring 2021 term.
More information will be forthcoming about the best options for students as they finish out the semester. Of particular importance will be the course withdrawal deadline, which is May 17th. The College will work closely with students to ensure they understand these options and make the best possible choices for their academic careers.
The College wants to support students throughout the withdrawal period, which began February 19th and is in effect through May 17th, the last instructional day of the semester. We will launch a student engagement program beginning Monday, May 3rd to provide assistance through the first two weeks of May before the withdrawal deadline. Be on the lookout for more details about that coming soon.
In the meantime, I wish you the best as you finish out the term and hope that you are staying safe.
Daniel Lemons
