Because letter grades will hopefully still be recorded by the professor, it should be possible for students to request grades should that be necessary while switching to P/F. We do not want any student at a disadvantage because of alternative grading. This option could give grades, but not a GPA for the semester. We feel confident that with a substantial majority of schools implementing alternative grading employers will know Spring Semester 2020 was largely pass/fail across the country. We hope that students will express these concerns with the school to help determine the best methods for all.
The most equitable solution for this semester would be to pause any scholarship requirements until next semester.
Share your own experiences by this website, or by contacting your Deans and Faculty
Discuss academic research with your peers to introduce accurate information concerning COVID-19, grading, and university requirements.
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Universities typically engage multiple stakeholders for any major decision but the most powerful among them are the Provost, Board of Trustees, and the President. In USD's organizational hierarchy, the Provost oversees all the Deans of the respective Schools within the University and the Deans are the highest-ranking leadership figures within their respective Schools (e.g. School of Law, School of Business, School of Engineering, College of Arts & Sciences etc.)
Our advocates' shared understanding is that USD's process for this particular issue will likely be informed by the Deans of the respective schools in partnership with the Provost. From there, it's likely that the undergraduate and graduate divisions will map out their own policies but aim for some level of consistency across the University.
The law school will make a decision concerning alternative grading separately from the larger university. This decision will come solely from tenured faculty and deans of the school by April 3rd.
We have documented several resources for you under the "FAQ's" tab. Contact us to be provided with personal information or to be directed to those who can help. Contact your school administration and discuss the situation with them. They do not know your current situation unless students provide them with current experiences and information.
The University Senate is a governing body of faculty members similar to student body organizations. The senate takes faculty ideas to improve the university. See more here: https://www.sandiego.edu/senate/
The University Provost is in charge of the Deans of each college and speaks for the university as a whole. The provost "provides academic leadership to the university's college and schools and promotes excellence in all of the university's academic programs and initiatives." The provost takes on many initiatives to help improve the school as a whole. See USD's Office of the Provost here: https://www.sandiego.edu/provost/
Trustees are the governing body of the university. They hold state in the large overarching values and mission of the university. See USD trustees here: https://www.sandiego.edu/about/leadership/board-of-trustees.php
Economic burdens: Students have a disproportionate burden to bear, as many have part-time or non-essential job to put them through college. Even with a scholarship in place covering all or most of tuition, students must have resources for living necessities. COVID-19 has brought several economic burdens including:
laying off part time jobs
Students denied unemployment
Students left out of the COVID-19 relief package
Students left out of parent's COVID-19 relief package
Students rejected from jobs currently hiring because of class schedule
No to little refund from tuition or housing
Student health: Students are an at-risk group for stress and mental illness. This, along with the students who have chronic illnesses, disabilities, are immunocompromised, or are a primary care giver of other at-risk individuals are currently in a situation where their physical health is highly threatened.
When there is a pass-fail grading system in place, students work more collaboratively and fill gaps of diversity in the schools curriculum.
Student success comes above everything else. As advocates, knowing that privileged students will gain an advantage over underprivileged students purely based on economic, family, and social factors is unethical.
Many exams are already based on arbitrary methods of grading, like written essay exams. While schools try to combat subjectivity with rubrics, studies have shown that professors cannot grade all written exams equally. An alternative grading position for this semester will equalize these discrepancies. The differences in grading may not show up largely in past semesters, but these extraordinary times will magnify previous discrepancies.
Students of USD are strong and intellectually independent thinkers who want to learn regardless of the various symbols attached to their learning.
We know you are inundated with new articles concerning COVID-19. We suggest you look for news articles that are written concerning the facts, and always follow links to make sure percentages and statistics are correct. Additionally, try to look for the actual sources of the news article. We have provided you with accurate research found on this website under "Research."
As advocates for equity we realize that some students may feel completely overwhelmed while others feel confident in their ability to raise their grades this semester. There is uncertainty regarding students grades. Between finals and now, students who may feel attractively positioned may have unforeseen problems that create a issue for them during finals or the rest of their semester. In these uncertain times, we advocate for the current known grade alternatives to best support students regardless of economic status, now or in the future.
Email the Deans of your school
Talk to USD stakeholders (faculty, student services, trustees)
Join our team
Share on social media
Students should never have to feel alone and it's challenging to navigate complex institutions. Marginalized communities are at most risk in this unexpected transition to distance learning and we believe that the University address their acute needs during this difficult, painful time. An alternative grading policy or a modified pass/fail is an equity measure to address the unexpected consequences of this global public health crisis.
The university wants to know student concerns and experiences, but they do not know individual concerns until you email your respective administrators. With help from student voices, the university can make an informed and detailed decision regarding their students.