To the Editor:
This week all faculty will have the opportunity to vote on grade modifiers. I strongly urge students to engage in a dialogue with their professors about this issue if they have not already done so. I heard frequently from fellow students that their professors changed their mind on grade modifiers after this dialogue.
I would also like to remind faculty that are voting on this system that the vast majority of students are against grade modifiers. Students feel like grade modifiers would result in more stress for them and it has also been speculated upon that students would be more likely to complain to their professors about losing a few points on a homework or test. The grade modifiers system would punish the highest performing students, the 4.0 students, while benefiting the lowest performing students with the opportunity to receive a D+. Additionally C- students would not be able to graduate unless graduation requirements were to change. While I have heard the arguments in favor of the system, the perceived benefit seems minor compared to the perceived problems inherent in the system.
At the same time, while we have stood steadfastly opposed to grade modifiers, the Faculty Senate has not only listened to students and the Student Senate, but made changes to the proposal based on our input. After a series of meetings and the recent forum, the Faculty Senate changed the original proposal from affecting all students in Fall 2004 to only affecting 1000-level and 6000-level courses in Fall 2005, 2000-level courses in addition in Fall 2006 and 4000-level courses in Fall 2007. This will grandfather most existing students in most classes.
Mike Goldenberg
CHEG ‘06
