University of Michigan pauses no-grades freshmen plan after pushback

Sarah Atwood, The Detroit News on Sep 29, 2026

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DETROIT — The University of Michigan is pausing its proposed pilot program that would "cover" first-semester grades of freshmen in the university's College of Literature, Sciences and the Arts, the Ann Arbor university said.

"The first-semester grade covering pilot program in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts has been paused," the University of Michigan said in a Sept. 28 statement posted to its website. "University leadership requested the pause to allow for further input, analysis, and discussion. The pilot was initially scheduled to begin in fall 2027. College of LSA Dean Rosario Ceballo and her leadership team remain committed to continuing to work with the LSA community to help first-year students establish early academic momentum, support their well-being, and inspire their intellectual curiosity."

The pilot met significant pushback from critics who said it didn't allow students to prepare for the rest of their time at college or the workforce after graduation. The pilot was first announced by Ceballo in a 2025 address and was expected to be implemented in fall 2027.

The university did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The program would've designated all first-year, first-semester grades as pass or no credit on students' transcripts, according to UM's website.

Students in LSA would still receive grades and feedback from professors, but the final grades wouldn't be recorded on external transcripts or reflected in their grade point averages.

The university would still retain internal records for purposes of compliance, academic advising, academic awards and scholarships, and for students’ use as they apply for internships, other majors or other academic and professional opportunities.

The college previously said the program would help the roughly 3,500 students admitted to LSA every year "acclimate to the demands of a University of Michigan education and pursue new academic challenges." Ceballo also said in a previous statement in the University Record that the pilot program would also address student stress, depression and anxiety.

The backlash since the program was publicized last month was immediate, reverberating on social media channels and conservative media outlets like Fox News. Among the critics was former Michigan tight end Jake Butt, a Big 10 Network analyst who likened the grade covering to "participation trophies" and said it would blunt the ability of students to grow.

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