The University of Michigan has paused a proposed pilot that would have recorded first‑semester LSA grades as pass/no credit on external transcripts, citing distorted media narratives and concerns about students’ reputations. The limited pilot—targeted at roughly 18,000 incoming LSA students and scheduled for fall 2027—would have preserved instructor feedback internally while excluding first‑semester grades from GPA calculations. University leaders asked for the pause to allow additional input and analysis; no timeline for resuming or revising the plan has been announced.
University of Michigan Pauses First‑Semester Pass/No‑Credit Pilot After Media Backlash
Citing questions and misconceptions, the University of Michigan is pausing a first-semester pass/no credit grading pilot.getty
The University of Michigan has paused a planned pilot that would have recorded first‑semester grades for incoming College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) students as pass/no credit (P/NC) on external transcripts. Announced in August and scheduled to begin in fall 2027, the experiment was halted after university leaders said widespread media coverage and misconceptions threatened its success.
Why the Pilot Was Paused
In a letter shared with Inside Higher Education, President Domenico Grasso said the proposal had become the “subject of extensive media coverage, much of which consists of distorted narratives about our intentions, and, most concerningly, about the academic strength and resilience of our students.” He added that the misconceptions and resulting questions put the pilot’s chances of success at risk and could unfairly portray students as unprepared or coddled.
“It has become clear that the misconceptions and questions raised about the program put the pilot's success at risk,” President Grasso wrote.
What the Pilot Would Have Done
The narrow pilot was to apply only to first‑year students enrolled in LSA (about 18,000 students). Key elements included:
- Internal feedback retained: Instructors would still provide grades and feedback for each course during the first semester.
- External records altered: Final letter grades for that first semester would not appear on external transcripts; instead, transcripts would indicate that first‑semester marks were designated P/NC.
- GPA exclusion: First‑semester letter grades would be excluded from GPA calculations.
- Limited scope: New transfer students and students in other colleges at the university would not have been eligible.
Rationale and Reactions
LSA leaders framed the policy as a way to help first‑year students establish early academic momentum and reduce stress amid concerns about student mental health. College officials argued a covered‑grade approach would let students explore new subjects without the fear that an early low grade would have long‑term consequences, and would encourage collaboration over competition.
The proposal drew national attention and mixed responses. Some higher‑education experts defended it as a reasonable experiment—pointing to precedents at other institutions—while many critics argued it risked weakening academic rigor or reducing student effort. Facing sustained negative coverage, university leadership requested a pause "to allow further input, analysis, and discussion," according to a September 28 update on the university website. Dean Rosario Ceballo and her leadership team said they remain committed to supporting first‑year students’ momentum and well‑being.
Next Steps
University officials did not provide a timeline for how long the pause will last or specify what additional consultations or analyses will follow. For now, the pilot will not move forward as originally planned for fall 2027.
Sources: The Michigan Daily reporting, a letter from President Domenico Grasso shared with Inside Higher Education, and the University of Michigan’s September 28 update.
Help us improve.
