NORTH MANCHESTER — Manchester University will allow undergraduate students the option of taking a pass/no pass grade in most classes this semester.

The option pends approval from a student’s academic advisor said a news release from Manchester University.

The faculty Academic Governance Council voted to approve the new grading policy, which is being implemented for this semester because the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced Manchester to cancel in-person classes.

The committee and Office of the Registrar notified students early Wednesday evening in a joint email.

“Students will have the option to choose between receiving traditional letter grades or taking classes as pass/no pass this semester, with some exceptions,” President Dave McFadden said. “There is also no rush for them to make that decision now.”

The council voted to push back the undergraduate deadline for submitting a request to convert a course to pass/no pass to May 28. That is four business days after grades are available.

The pass/no pass proposals came from the faculty Academic Standards Committee.

“The current proposal allows for students to select courses for pass/no pass regardless of whether the course is an elective or for a requirement. Many students will need actual grades for courses that are pre-requisites for professional or graduate school, so advisor approval will be required to help ensure that courses are not converted to pass/no pass that should not be for that student’s situation,” the committee said in its rationale to faculty.