This is an archived copy of the 2020-21 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.utexas.edu/.

Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Addendum

The policy changes published online in the 2020-2021 General Information Catalog entitled "Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Addendum" supersede related policies in all institutional catalogs for those semesters. These policy changes, temporary in nature, are due to the COVID-19 pandemic and apply to the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters.

The addendum appears in the online version of the 2020-2021 General Information catalog, and is included in the PDF version of this catalog. Visit the General Information Catalogs website for a PDF version of this addendum and its supporting documents.

Message from the Provost

November 25, 2020 Sent on behalf of Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Daniel Jaffe

COVID-19 Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit Exceptions

For the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters, undergraduate students may choose to have a total of three (3) classes graded on a Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit basis without penalty.

  • These exceptions are new and apply only to the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters.
  • Students will be able to view their final grades prior to making a decision about the fall or spring semesters.
  • Selecting to convert a course to Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit is not a requirement; it is a choice and an opportunity for you to use if it is helpful.
  • Using a COVID-19 Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit Exception will allow the class to count toward degree and course requirements, where a standard Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit will not.
  • Standard Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit options remain available to students.

It is also important to keep in mind how classes taken with a grade of “P” (Pass)1 will be treated by graduate and professional school admissions, licensure requirements, and others. It is therefore recommended that students work with their advisor to make this decision, as changing a letter grade to Pass/Fail may have unintended consequences.

Non-Academic Q-Drop Changes

For the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters, all Q-drops will be considered “non-academic,” which allows students to drop a class without counting toward the six-class limit.

FCEC Resolution for Extending the Deadline for Q-Drop and Opt-In Pass-Fail Option for Fall 2020 (D 18575-18576)
Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on November 20, 2020 and classified as an emergency resolution. The Faculty Council endorsed the resolution at its meeting on November 23, 2020, which was transmitted to Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Dan Jaffe. On November 25, 2020, Interim Provost Jaffe transmitted his recommendations for modifying the FCEC’s proposal to President Jay Hartzell. On November 25, 2020, President Hartzell approved Interim Provost Jaffe’s recommendations and a message was sent to all students and faculty informing them of the extended deadline for Q-Drops and P/F Flexibility.