Students petition for grade modifications after switch to online classes

By Zoe Strozewski | Published by March 22, 2020

Kean University students have launched two separate petitions that call for modifying this semester’s grades because the move to online instruction in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic has upended lives and created undue hardships.  

As of March 21, the petitions have garnered more than 3,000 signatures in a two-day span. One petition titled “Modified Grading Scale at Kean University” had received nearly 2,300 signatures and over 50 comments of support.  

“A modified grading scale will help reduce the stress that many of us are already experiencing from online classes, piles of assignments, sudden travels, internet access, computer access, unstable households, and sick family members,” said Hayya Ali, a biology student, and the petition’s author. “Many students are facing difficulties in focusing and truly understanding class material and are having trouble transitioning.” 

The petitions reflect a larger pattern nationwide to alter grading systems, such as moving to a Pass-Fail option, as schools adjust to a new reality after closing campuses in a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic.   

In her petition, Ali lists the reasons she believes warrant a grading curve from the school, such as the high levels of stress many students are under, Internet connection issues, time zone differences, a lack of reliable income for student-workers as many businesses shut down and a loss of face-to-face communication with professors. 

Because graduate schools, potential jobs, and internships often consider the GPA of a prospective employee, Ali believes that students who receive poor or lesser grades because of this semester’s circumstances could suffer consequences far into the future. A generous curve, she believes, will prevent that from happening. 

She also expressed apprehension about students’ ability to succeed without physically being in a classroom. Ali said that her personal experience with online courses so far has been challenging because she is no longer learning in a setting meant for learning. 

“I find it very challenging to sit beside my bed in my pajamas, listening to a lecture while my siblings fight in the background,” Ali said. “School provides an environment where one can truly learn, and the remote classes have been posing many difficulties. Today I had some Wi-Fi problems, and I ended up missing a big chunk of the lecture, so I am hoping to either get some leniency or a curve because we all need it.” 

With her arsenal of support, Ali hopes to inspire the school administration to make the grading changes she’s advocating for. While Kean hasn’t indicated whether it is considering any grading scale modifications yet, Ali said that she reached out to Vice President of Academics Suzanne Bousquet, who agreed to bring her concerns up to the deans of Kean’s colleges.  

Another petition circulating, titled “WE NEED A GRADING CURVE!,” has received over 1,000 signatures as of March 21.   

“Not only is it necessary to place a grading curve into our curriculum, IT IS NEEDED!” the petition reads. 

The petition specifically addresses the drawbacks of moving to a Pass/Fail option because it has no effect on Grade Point Average. 

“The only students who stand to benefit from a pass/fail grading scale are those students who already have a 4.0 GPA or those students struggling to maintain a 2.0,” the petition description reads. “What happens to those students who desperately need this semester because of their GPA? Many Kean University students and graduating seniors need their GPA to pursue higher education.” 

Over a dozen universities, including Duke University, have switched to pass/fail grading, according to an article in Inside Higher Education. The trend has even sparked the creation and spread of the hashtag #PassFailNation on Twitter as more students are drawn to the possibility of a semester that provides more leeway with grading standards.  

Ali hopes the signatures from students will inspire the school administration to make the grading changes. While Kean hasn’t indicated whether it is considering any grading scale modifications yet, Ali said that she reached out to Vice President of Academic Affairs Suzanne Bousquet, who agreed to bring her concerns up to the deans of Kean’s colleges. 

“I am sure we all know the University is not at fault for any of this, but we would just like a more fair chance at getting the grade we deserve,” Ali said. 

 

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