Computer issues may delay launching of P/D/F reform

Now that the University has agreed on a reformed version of the current P/D/F policy, implementation is the next task for the USG and University administrators to tackle.

The reforms lower the number of P/D/F classes a student can take from six to four. The new P/D/F policy will allow students to change a P/D/F class to a normally graded class after midterms. If a student rescinds the P/D/F option, the class still counts as one of the four classes a student may P/D/F.

Slow implementation

Just as the P/D/F debate dragged on for over a year, there appears to be issues regarding the computing system that handles P/D/F records. These snags will possibly slow down the implementation of the policy.

Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel said the main issues postponing implementation involve the computing system that documents the number of P/D/F classes a student has taken. Her office, the Office of the Registrar and the USG need to work to determine if there are "significant issues" involving programming the computers, she said.

She also cited other projects that are "waiting in line in the registrar's office" as deterrents for immediate implementation. However, administrators should be working on the P/D/F policy "promptly," she added.

USG president David Ascher said a computer program in the registrar's office calculates the number of P/D/F courses each student takes during his or her years at Princeton. "The program must be able to add," Ascher said. "The computer has to be told that even if you rescind" the class still counts for the P/D/F quota.

Ascher said changing the computer problem should not be a difficult task. "The Registrar often cites the limitations of his computing staff when faculty and students suggest an improvement in the services he offers," he said. "This is a blanket excuse that many administrators use to maintain the status quo. But the claim that the University can't do something just because it doesn't have enough staff or resources is wholly unsatisfying and insufficient," he added.

Furthermore, since the debate regarding the P/D/F option has dragged on for months, the University has had plenty of time to find a way to change any computing problems, Ascher explained.

"The Registrar has known for over a year that change was imminent. He has had plenty of time to explore slight modifications to the way his computer program works," Ascher said.

Ascher and academics chair Todd Rich '00 said they would like to see the new policy implemented by next semester. "I don't see how (changing the computer program) can be hard to do," Rich said. "There are probably some CS majors who could do this pretty quickly."

Ascher also said should administrators be unable to reprogram the computer, the USG would pay to have the service completed. "If necessary, the USG will hire a student programmer to show the Registrar how to make this work," he added.

In addition, it is particularly important to implement the new P/D/F policy by next semester since the University almost unanimously supports the proposal: The Committee on Course of Study, the Committee on Examinations and Standing and the faculty at large all approved the policy by large majority or unanimous votes, Ascher said.

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"It would be truly tragic if this esteemed University were to allow the limitations of a computer program to dictate policy," Ascher said. He also said, "If every single member of the University wants this to work, there is no reason it shouldn't be done by hand."