The Daily Bulletin Archive

At its December 8, 2023, meeting, the College Senate voted to recommend to the interim president the following revision to DOPS Policy I:16:03 to make certificates and microcredential courses ineligible for pass/fail grades.

WHEREAS, microcredentials are short-term, focused areas of study designed to provide in-demand skills, know-how, and experience; and

WHEREAS, microcredentials offer a flexible way to stay competitive or branch out in today's changing workplace; and

WHEREAS, microcredentials and certificate programs are specialized academic programs that are stackable, forming a bridge toward a registered certificate or a full degree (which major courses cannot be taken as pass/fail); and

WHEREAS, certificate programs provide focused study to support a specific career interest; and 

WHEREAS, certificates can be offered online and completed as an individual credential or incorporated into a related degree program for those meeting program admission requirements; and

WHEREAS, non-matriculated students cannot take any course pass/fail; and

WHEREAS, graduate students cannot take any microcredential or certificate courses pass/fail; and

WHEREAS, students who want to add an additional NYS certification must apply for the other certificate through a BOCES Regional Certification Office and follow their listed requirements,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that DOPS Policy on Grading I:16:03 be revised to include the language of microcredentials and certificates in this policy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the current pass/fail policy be outlined to include this language for all students.

I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate and authorize the interim provost to make the changes to DOPS I:16:03 listed above as soon as possible. I also direct the interim provost to communicate these changes to the campus as appropriate. I thank the Standards for Students Committee and its chair for their work in developing this recommendation.