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Show page 6 lessons, Fail 2003 Edna Rogers, of the department of communication, feels the plus and minus system contributes to grade inflation. There's no 'E' in 'Failing' Last May a Tucson newspaper discussed the University of Arizona's rare use of "E" for a failing grade. The journalist found that only a handful of colleges and universities use E's instead of F's. We found that the handful includes the University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, and College of Eastern Utah. Nationwide, most colleges and universities use F to indicate a failing grade. The Tucson reporter was able to trace the history of the grading policy at the University of Arizona. When I investigated the evolution of the University of Utah's grading policy, no answers were found. The registrar of grading, Vice President Ralph Boren, even looked in the 1898 University catalogue, but no evidence of a grading policy was published. "It's been like this as long as I've been here. It's just the way it is... I'm not sure why/' said Boren. "I don't see what the purpose of using an E is, except it removes the stigma of an F," said Barbara Lauren, associate director of research at the Washington, D.C.-based American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Offices. "But I can tell you that using an E is unusual." Ron Patterson at the University's registrar's office said that in the 36 years he's been at the University it has always been A-B-C-D-E, "it's tradition, I suppose." Utah's tradition of using an E for "failing" is exactly that... a tradition. -Jessica Durfee nowadays, GPA "doesn't distinguish very well the real differences in learning." On that note, Dr. Rogers said that she's "always wondered why the very talented GPA doesn't matter anymore. We've lowered the standards of learning and the standards of education. We've gone through several decades where we've tried to protect peoples' psyches." She feels that grade inflation is a serious issue on the college campus today, and something must be done about it. However, in the end, Dr. Rogers believes that a "solid foundation where they [students] work hard and they learn" is most important. Learning is the main purpose for many students attending a university, but confusion surrounding grading policies interferes with their academic career. Some students don't even know that grading policies within certain departments exist. Many students would be less stressed if they had a better understanding of how grading policies work. The Academic Senate could potentially play a role in improving of the awareness and understanding of the grading policy at the University. According to the University's website, the Academic Senate "plays an integral part in the shared governance of the University of Utah. Its status is codified both in policy and procedures manuals and in the history of the University. Strong working relations have developed between the Senate and the Administration in confronting the issues faced by the University." Grading policies are certainly one of these issues. The Academic Senate is one body that is responsible for making sure grading policies are fair. Grading fairly has an impact on student health and stress levels. Students are already stressed as it is, so the University should do all it can to make grading a pleasant experience for all; whether it's through enforcing a more strict policy or allowing instructors and professors to grade at their own discretion. In the end, fairness and balance are the most important aspects that should be addressed when the University is considering the grading policy. |