Modified grades might become the future of evaluating the performance of RPI students. But the possibility of adopting a new system and, more importantly, the way it would be implemented are still in the planning stages. Now is our chance, as students, to voice our opinions and make a difference.
In the coming weeks, professors have been asked to take some class time to discuss the issue of the plus/minus system with their students. In an ideal world, every professor will engage their class in a discussion, but in reality, professors are already on a tight schedule to cover all that they need or want to teach in a course and some will not address this issue. This is where we as students need to take initiative and let professors know what their students think before they go and vote.
The vote is only a few short weeks away. At the end of April, professors will be voting whether or not to adopt a grading system with modifiers and how such a system will work at RPI. Between now and then, students must give their professors feedback on the issue. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed.
It is a regular refrain from students that the administration does not seek student input often enough, and may not care what the students think. But on this issue, nearly every official has made it their goal to gather as much student input as possible. They have now given us the responsibility to make sure our voices are heard, and we cannot stay silent.
In the coming weeks, make it a point to let your professors know what you think. Bring it up in class, talk to them afterwards, or use the new take-your-teacher-to-lunch program to discuss it. Follow the links off of RPInfo to the Faculty Senate website and submit your comments to them. Student feedback will be considered by all parties involved when drafting the proposal that will be voted on.
This is a serious issue at RPI right now, and we must all work together to achieve a plan that satisfies everyone. This will have a long-lasting impact on the school, and each person must take the issue seriously and make sure their voice is heard.
