When the University of West Georgia made a timely shift to online classes halfway through the spring semester because of COVID-19, students rose to the challenge. Grades remained at least as strong as those earned by students in previous spring semesters.
According to UWG’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment, the percent of undergraduate letter grades of “A” increased from 40.7 percent in Fall 2019 to 46.7 percent in Spring 2020. This is an increase of 6 percentage points or a 14.7 percent increase in the percentage of “A” grades.
“Despite the complexities of our current circumstances, our students continue to push themselves to learn and to become better,” said UWG President Dr. Brendan Kelly. “They committed to shifting to learn online and should take pride in being adaptable. Demonstrating these qualities shows they have what it takes to be great professionals after they’ve graduated from UWG.”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all 26 institutions in the University System of Georgia, of which UWG is a member, announced on March 16 that all institutions would move to online instruction for the remainder of the semester. In the following days and weeks, USG and its institutions expanded access to academic resources and support systems.
While remote instruction continues through summer semester, USG institutions will return to in-person instruction for fall semester, and each campus is now planning for that return.
“Our students continue to show resilience and determination in pursuing their studies, and I am grateful for how often they have overcome the challenges thrown at them by COVID-19,” USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said in a statement. “Faculty and staff also worked hard to transition courses to an online format while maintaining their quality. I appreciate their flexibility and remain confident they will continue to do everything in their power to help every one of our students succeed.”
by Julie Lineback, UWG
