The University System of Georgia announces they will not implement a pass-fail grading system, after more than six thousand students sign a change.org petition calling for the opt-in change.
“The University System of Georgia is aware some institutions around the nation have decided to shift to pass/fail grading after transitioning to remote education,” a USG spokesperson tells PRN. “We are confident our students will rise to the challenge, and the USG will do everything in its power to help them do so.”
Earlier in March, the USG moved instruction online for its 26 institutions after growing concerns of the coronavirus in the state.
Institutions across the United States like Emory University and Harvard University have already adopted versions of the pass-fail system.
Olivia Richardson, a sophomore at the University of Georgia, began the petition two weeks ago to address the difficulties students may face in their online coursework. She says the system will ease the stress students may feel.
“With or without a change in the grading scale, people are going to be stressed between balancing school, transitioning to online courses and being back home, and dealing with the fear of this virus hurting us or loved ones,” Richardson says. “So why not try to give people a chance who don’t think their voice matters or those who think their situations aren’t seen or understood by someone else.”
The opt-in option allows students to receive a letter grade still. This would benefit students applying to medical school who prefer to stay on the A-F grading scale.
“It’s going to be very difficult for me, as a student with ADHD and an only child, to balance taking care of the house, running errands so that my at-risk parents don’t have to go outside, and finding someplace where I can focus on my schoolwork,” a student who signed the petition writes.
A similar petition directed towards Georgia State University circulated last week, gaining over 250 signatures. The petition listed the change of a learning environment and limitations in resources as reasons for the petition to be needed.
“The transition also increases stress on some students as they are more accustomed to taking classes in person,” Georgia State student Brekwan Oliver says in the petition.
In a message last week, Provost Wendy Hensel instructed professors to rethink grading habits because of the transition faculty and students have to make.
“As you consider what typically would be an ‘A’ to ‘F’ performance, you should take into account the context in which we are operating,” Provost Hensel says. “What may seem like below average performance in normal times may reflect real achievement under the circumstances.”
But, Richardson wants students to know that despite the challenges faculty and students may face during this transition, it is essential to remember the community is trying their best.
“I want to really stress that everyone is trying their best. It’s so easy to fault administration or professors, but they are doing their best. We are all trying. This is a difficult time for everyone, and we need to remember that,” Richardson says.
See more of PRN’s coronavirus coverage here.
Read the University System of Georgia’s statement below.
The University System of Georgia is aware some institutions around the nation have decided to shift to pass/fail grading after transitioning to remote education. We are confident our students will rise to the challenge, and the USG will do everything in its power to help them do so. We trust our faculty to teach and grade students effectively. In times of adversity, we should reach higher, not lower.
Maintaining high academic standards is critical to the success of USG students now and in the future. Continuing letter grading for the final few weeks of the semester will allow faculty to assess the performance of students in the same manner as they always have.
The USG is confident that faculty and students will rely on the resilience they have shown thus far and continue to meet our high standards.
While online instruction will be new to many, thousands of USG students and faculty have already experienced it through nearly 11,000 online course sections offered prior to USG’s temporary shift to all-online instruction. In addition, the USG has offered resources to assist faculty and students make the transition.
Note: This story was written for PRN, the student-led news station at Georgia State University.
