Students voice opinions on grade inflation proposals

Many University students raised their voices Thursday as they united behind opposition to the recent grade inflation proposals.

About 70 students turned out for the panel of University administrators, faculty and student leaders in the Senate Chamber of Whig Hall.

"I think there is a disconnect between West College and what is happening in students' lives," Pablo Kapusta '05 said during the question-and-answer session. "Why is West College focusing on grade inflation when there are other issues like academic advising and precepting that could be easily dealt with and would greatly improve the quality of academic life for students?"

Student panelists included USG president Matt Margolin '05, USG academics chair Shoum Chakravarti '05 and International Relations Council President Sashank Rishyasringa '06. All three student panelists expressed concern over whether the limits on A-range grades would accurately reflect the quality of student work and whether it would make the campus climate more stressful and competitive.

"This proposal cuts to the heart of how important GPA is here," Rishyasringa said. "What is refreshing here is that students take intellectual risks despite the grades they might get because learning is the important thing. I feel that the increased focus on GPA that this proposal will probably produce will make students want to play it safe."

Students in the audience voiced similar concerns, with one student suggesting if GPAs dropped, students would end up dropping extracurricular activities. Others worried about the potentially negative impact on students' mental health and job prospects.

Despite student criticism, Dean of the College Nancy Weiss Malkiel defended the proposals, stating that the University is acting in students' "best interest."

She added that the University would also work to notify employers of the grading changes if they are passed. After the panel, Malkiel said that the 35 and 55 percent limits for department grades and independent work would not be set in stone. Instead, individual departments would be allowed to adjust to the standards over time if they deemed necessary.

"There aren't any plans for draconian enforcement," Malkiel said. "Departments need to be comfortable with the plan."

Faculty panelists Caryl Emerson, chair of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, and Erhan Cinlar, chair of the Operations Research and Financial Engineering Department, also supported the proposals, but added several qualifications.

"I am here partly as a representative of one of the smallest departments," Emerson said. "We have small enrollments, a lot of small seminars and only three to four majors at a time. If only 55 percent of students are allowed to get A's on their independent work we would most certainly lose all of our majors."

Emerson also noted that many students will work their way up to an A if they receive help from faculty, which is what often happens in small classes and departments.

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However, she added, "Is it realistic for any student at this school to get an A in every class they take? No, it's not and that is the spirit of this proposal."

Cinlar said that while there are many difficulties inherent in comparing such acaemically talented students, the University needs to make sure grades are not cheapened by inflation.

Though some students thought Malkiel clearly and thoroughly addressed the concerns presented, they were also skeptical of the influence they would have in the decision-making process.

"I don't think the administration is really listening to us as students," Leon Skornicki '06 said. "All we can do is try to convince our professors to vote one way or another."

The USG also hosted a forum Thursday night at which students drafted a letter to Malkiel, President Tilghman and the student body that contained both praise and criticism for the proposals.