Student Academic Advisory

Academic FAQs for students

Academically, our goal is to provide the best learning environment for students, while recognizing that some students and faculty will be unable to start back on Monday, Oct. 10. Maintaining continuity, even during these challenging times, ensures the integrity of an FGCU degree and the impact our students will have on the world.

With this in mind, we are very sensitive to and aware of the large-scale impact that Hurricane Ian has had on our community, and we are committed to work through these difficulties with our students, faculty, and staff.

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Students, if you cannot return at this time, that’s OK. When you can return, we’ll be there to help. For those students who can return, faculty have available to them many options for weekend instructional hours, including in-person, synchronous online, asynchronous online, recorded lectures and opportunities for individual assignments. We understand that many FGCU students are employed, and the calendar adjustments were made with that in mind. Every student deserves the opportunity to receive a high-quality educational experience that matches the course content they signed up and paid for at the beginning of the semester. How students receive that content is between each student and their professors. Please contact your individual instructors to discuss your unique situation with them.

A Pass/Fail option, officially known as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U), will be available to every student for every class. This option is not mandatory, and students must request to opt-in to Pass/Fail for an individual class. Please contact your Academic Advisors, Student Success Counselors and FGCU Complete Navigators to find the best options for your situation.

As we move forward, flexibility is key. Faculty are expected to adjust their course schedules and modality as appropriate to address for the time missed.

If your class was supposed to meet on these dates:
Tuesday, Sept. 27
Wednesday, Sept. 28
Thursday, Sept. 29
Friday, Sept. 30
Saturday, Oct. 1
Monday, Oct. 3
Wednesday, Oct. 5
Thursday, Oct. 6
Friday, Oct. 7
Saturday, Oct. 8

Then in-person classroom space is available at the same time on the corresponding dates:
Saturday, Oct. 15
Saturday, Oct. 22
Saturday, Oct. 29
Saturday, Nov. 5
Sunday, Nov. 6
Saturday, Nov. 12
Saturday, Nov.19
Saturday, Dec. 3
Saturday, Dec. 10
Sunday, Dec. 11

We recognize there is no ideal solution to meet the needs of every student and faculty member on campus, but we believe this is the best guarantee for student success while emphasizing flexibility. We have all been affected in some way by Hurricane Ian. FGCU has urged faculty to make decisions for content delivery that allows them to lead with compassion and be as accommodating as possible to their students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we have to make up for lost academic time due to Hurricane Ian?

Yes. It is critical for the university to deliver a high-quality educational experience to our students in a way that matches the outcomes expected by students and taxpayers. You deserve to receive the full course content you signed up for and paid for. Maintaining continuity, even during these challenging times, ensures the integrity of an FGCU degree and the impact our students will have on the world. With this in mind, we are very sensitive to and aware of the large-scale impact that Hurricane Ian has had on our community and are committed to working through these difficulties and supporting our students, faculty and staff.

For religious reasons, I cannot attend classes on Saturdays or Sundays. How does this work for me?

FGCU developed the revised calendar with the guiding principle that all faculty need to be as flexible as possible and work with individual students on their unique needs. Religious exemptions are also protected by Regulation 4.010.

The only time I can work is on the weekend, and I cannot afford not to work. What do I do?

How class time and content is received during weekend dates will be extremely flexible. Please communicate with faculty members about the challenges you are facing, including storm recovery and financial hardships. There are many options available for course delivery.

Were other alternative schedules considered?

The Academic Affairs team also considered using winter break, evening classes and other scheduling options. Weekend scheduling ensures that the semester will end on time, which will be less disruptive to the campus community overall. Ending on time also ensures students who complete their academic program this semester can keep their commencement dates.

What happens if we already have classes on Saturday? My Wednesday class has been rescheduled for Saturday. Do I have to choose between the two?

No. Courses previously scheduled for Saturdays have been moved to accommodate the new schedule.

Why is Tuesday, Oct. 4, missing from the schedule?

Tuesday, Oct. 4 was intended to be a study/reading day on the original academic schedule. We announced at one time this would be called up as regular class day to make up for time lost due to the storm; our next note to campus explained that we needed to cancel all classes and non-essential classes through Sunday, Oct. 9. With this in mind, there is no need to “reschedule” course content from Oct. 4.

I can’t go to school and work.

If you have a work conflict, contact your instructor for an accommodation.

Is it safe to come back to campus?

Absolutely. FGCU was not severely impacted by Hurricane Ian, and damage to our facilities and grounds was minimal. The campus has running water and electricity, which means there is air conditioning, hot food, WiFi/internet access and cell towers for mobile communications.

Will we have remote learning opportunities?

Yes, for the remainder of the fall term. We encourage faculty to be innovative, creative, patient and flexible as we move forward. Students are encouraged to discuss their unique situations with their instructors.

I am worried about my ability to focus and perform well right now. Are there alternative grading approaches available to me?

Please meet with your academic advisors, student success counselors and FGCU Complete navigators to find the best options for your situation. Refer to the alternative grading FAQ below.

When does the term end?

The last day of the traditional 16-week fall term is Friday, Dec. 9, with finals scheduled Dec. 12-16. Grades are due Tuesday, Dec. 20. 

Eight-week mini terms:

Fall A is extended by two weeks, now ending on Saturday, Oct. 29, with grades due Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Fall B remains the same, with classes beginning Monday, Oct. 17, and ending on Friday, Dec. 16. Grades will be due Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Seven-week FGCU Accelerate:

Session I is extended by two weeks, now ending on Saturday, Oct. 22, with grades due Tuesday, Oct. 25.
Session II remains the same, with classes beginning on Monday, Oct. 17, and ending on Saturday, Dec. 10. Grades will be due Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Does commencement change?

No. Commencements will still take place Dec. 17-18. Details will be announced on FGCU’s commencement website.

How does this impact Thanksgiving and winter breaks?

It doesn’t. The adjusted schedule retains the study day before Thanksgiving, so students and faculty will not meet Wednesday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Nov. 27. Spring semester begins Jan. 9, 2023.

I’m a graduate student. What resources are available to me to navigate the end of the semester?

Connect with your program coordinator, department chair and dean’s/director’s office to discuss how these changes will impact you. Speak directly to your professors about your unique circumstances and challenges.

Am I going to get a tuition and fees refund?

No. We’ve made alternative arrangements through this new academic schedule to give you all of the content and contact hours required for your courses. These changes mean that there will be no refunds disbursed.

I rely on Little Eagle Learning Center for childcare during the week. Will it be open during the weekends to accommodate the new schedule?

Little Eagles will open Monday, Oct. 10, with the campus reopening, but it will maintain normal operational hours.

I am struggling with my mental/emotional health, who can I reach out to?

FGCU Counseling and Psychological Services is available for individual and group counseling sessions by appointment on its website. Call CAPS at (239) 590-7950 to make an appointment. If you are in immediate distress and would like to speak to a mental health professional call the CAPS crisis line: (239) 745-3277.

Students may also take advantage of two telehealth services that integrate with FGCU’s existing campus counseling services:

Uwill offers free teletherapy and counseling services. You can book your first session on the registration page.
For more information, visit www.Uwill.com.
Togetherall provides free virtual, peer-to-peer mental health and wellbeing support. You can sign up using your Eagle Mail address on the registration page.
For more information, visit www.togetherall.com.

FAQs for alternative grading options

Students interested in this option should carefully read and consider all information before making a decision.

General Questions
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Can I choose an S/U grading option for a fall 2022 course?

Yes, due to the unprecedented impact of Hurricane Ian, FGCU has implemented S/U grading options for fall. Please meet with your academic advisors, student success counselors and FGCU Complete navigators to find the best options for your situation. As a result of specific licensure and accreditation requirements, some undergraduate and graduate programs do not accept S/U grades.

Can all students request the S/U grading option?

This option is available to both graduate and undergraduate students. However, this grading option will not apply to the following:
- All FGCU Early College / Dual Enrollment / ACE / Collegiate Academy students and courses.
How do I request the S/U grading option?
Students (undergraduate and graduate) will opt-in via an online form for one or more courses. The online form will be submitted directly to the Office of Records and Registration by Dec. 9, 2022, for fall 2022.

Can I select just one course for S/U, or do I have to select all my courses for an S/U grade?
Yes, you can request the S/U grading option on a course-by-course basis, or you can request this option for all of your fall 2022 courses.

Why am I allowed to request the S/U grading option for courses that were not allowed before?

FGCU is making the S/U grading option broadly available to you as a result of the unprecedented disruptions arising from Hurricane Ian. We are hoping this option will help reduce your uncertainty and stress so that you can focus on finishing the semester successfully.

Will my instructor know that I am taking my course for an S/U grade?

No, not unless you tell your instructor. Your instructor will continue grading your work, as specified in the syllabus, and will submit your letter grade at the end of the semester to Records and Registration. Banner, our student database, will electronically change your letter grade to an S/U letter.

How will letter grades be converted to S/U grades?

FGCU will use the current grade mapping or the equivalencies listed in the FGCU catalog. The following letter grades will correspond with an S/U:
- Undergraduate courses: The letter grades of A, B, C are equivalent to a grade of “S,” and letter grades of C – (minus) through F are equivalent to a grade of “U.”
- Graduate courses: An “S” grade is equivalent to letter grades of a C or better, and a “U” grade is equivalent to a grade of C- or less.
Will the S/U option be available to me permanently?

No. This expanded S/U grading option will be available only for fall 2022.

Can I still ask my instructor for an incomplete (I) grade?

Yes. The current plan is to manage incomplete (I) grades as they are normally done. When you complete the work required for your professor to enter a grade, that grade would then be converted to the S/U.

What happens if I choose to Withdrawl (W) from a course?

Effective immediately, students who submit a Withdrawal (W) for a course during the fall 2022 semester with a request date of September 28, 2022, or later, will have their grade automatically converted to “WE” instead of the standard "W." This is advantageous for students as the WE grade does not count against the 3/2 Rule. The 3/2 Rule will not be applicable for the remainder of the fall 2022 semester. Additionally, the deadline for students to withdraw from a course has been extended until November 10, 2022. See FGCU’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the S/U and WE grading options described above. Students, please make sure you contact your Academic Advisors, Student Success Counselors or FGCU Complete Navigators before implementing one of these options to ensure it is best for your situation.
Grade Point Average Implications
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How will the S/U impact my GPA?

S/U grades do not count in the computation of a student’s GPA and only “S” grades will receive academic credit. S/U grades will not result in an increase or a decrease in a student’s GPA.

How does an S/U grade affect my academic standing?

Since a student’s GPA is not affected by S/U courses, a student’s academic standing (undergraduate) at the end of the term would be dependent only on any regularly graded courses included in a student’s schedule.

How do I know if selecting an S/U grade is the right choice for me?

Please review the following S/U grading map:
- S (Satisfactory) = Letter grade A through C
- U (Unsatisfactory) = C-minus through F
- Due to minimum grade requirements established by some colleges, departments and programs, students are advised to review all options before selecting the S/U grading option.
- If you are unsure if an S/U grade is the right choice for you, please consult with your academic advisor.
How will an S/U grade impact the GPA needed to graduate?

Undergraduate seniors need a minimum GPA of 2.0 to graduate. If they are on the threshold, they may need letter grades in order to raise their GPA and graduate. Letter grades will increase or decrease a student’s GPA. S/U grades do not count in the computation of a student’s GPA.
Other Academic Considerations
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How will an S/U grade affect my eligibility for the President’s/Dean’s List?

Undergraduate students need 12 hours of regular graded courses to be eligible for the President’s or Dean’s List.

How will S/U grades affect admissions requirements for graduate school?

Bachelor degree recipients, who are applying to graduate school, should be mindful of how S/U grades may affect their GPA and should check the admission requirements at their graduate school of choice.

How will S/U grades impact course sequencing?

If you are enrolled in any prerequisite courses that specify a certain grade higher than a “C,” consider this requirement before choosing the S/U option for those courses.

If something changes, will I be able to adjust or change my S/U request?

Students will have the ability to petition for a change after grades are posted with appropriate documentation of extenuating circumstance(s).
Financial Aid Considerations
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How does an S/U grade affect Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid?

S/U grades are counted towards completion ratio and maximum timeframe calculations, but do not count in the GPA calculation.

Will an S/U grade change my GPA?

No. If you have a 3.0 GPA and receive an “S” grade, your GPA will remain at 3.0. The same is true for a “U” grade.

I need to improve my GPA in the spring term to meet Bright Futures renewal criteria. Can I do so while receiving S/U grades?

No. S/U grades will not result in a change in your GPA. If your GPA is 2.8 after the fall term and you receive all “S” grades in the fall term, your GPA will remain 2.8.