On Monday, Oct. 5, Kenyon’s faculty officially passed a resolution to extend the deadline for students to change a course to or from Pass/D/Fail (P/D/F) from six to eight weeks. The deadline, previously this Friday, Oct. 9, has been postponed to Friday, Oct. 23. This two-week extension will also apply to the spring semester.

The vote comes after weeks of discussion, as professors sought ways to accommodate students while they adapt to the difficulties of learning during the pandemic. 

According to Associate Professor of Drama Anton Dudley, who serves as secretary of the faculty, the resolution passed “with overwhelming support,” with 111 professors in favor and four against.

However, Dean for Academic Advising and Support Thomas Hawks was careful to note that the deadline extension is not a permanent change, and only applies to this academic year. 

“[The extension] was intended to provide added flexibility for students in recognition of the difficulties [that] covid-19 imposed on both remote and on-campus students,” Hawks wrote in an email to the Collegian. “After the Spring semester, the P/D/F deadline will revert to 6 weeks after the start of the semester unless there’s another resolution that changes it for future terms.”

President Sean Decatur was pleased with the faculty’s decision. “I think it’s a very reasonable thing to do, given the constraints of this year,” he said. 

Student Council Vice President for Academic Affairs Delaney Gallagher ’23 agreed, but also acknowledged that the pandemic will still pose academic challenges for students. “While this is not a perfect system, this is not a perfect year,” she wrote in a message to the Collegian. “A certain academic standard with flexibility as this offers is a good compromise.” 

Students wishing to change a course to or from P/D/F can do so here.