Undergraduates will be allowed to select the pass/D/fail grading option for non-departmental classes, the University announced last week, reversing a November policy decision.
The earlier decision was made to encourage only those who were fully committed to upper-level coursework to enroll in graduate courses, Senior Associate Dean of the College Claire Fowler told The Daily Princetonian in November.
“It seemed sensible upon reflection to keep the P/D/F rules for undergraduates taking graduate courses in line with the same rules that govern undergraduates taking undergraduate courses P/D/F,” Fowler explained in an e-mail.
She added that “it turned out very few undergraduates were taking graduate courses P/D/F in any case,” since most undergraduates who choose to take graduate-level courses do so within their departments.
“Some students take graduate courses outside of their department, but not a huge number,” Fowler noted.
Some undergraduates say they think the P/D/F option should be extended to any graduate course, including departmentals.
For David Christie ’10, the P/D/F option would not be used as a way to skate by in higher-level courses.
“I think the P/D/F option should be generally available for graduate classes,” Christie said. “Obviously it’s advanced material, and I don’t think students are using the P/D/F option to blow off work. I think they are using it to realistically assess how they would do.”
Mark Smith ’09 explained that the revised policy might help some students feel more comfortable enrolling in graduate-level classes.
“I think it’s really good for undergrads to get involved in grad-level classes,” Smith said. “It’s important [for students considering graduate school] to get an idea of what the material is going to be like.”
Anna Bialek ’09 noted, however, that being able to take a graduate course without the fear of damaging one’s GPA has the potential to lead to an unfair level of academic and intellectual complacency.
“If the P/D/F option allows more students to get the rewards of graduate coursework because it decreases anxiety about maintaining a high GPA, then that would be a good result of the policy,” Bialek said. “However, the benefits of grad courses come in large part from the greater amount of work and engagement that they require. If the new policy encourages students to take advantage of the discussion in graduate seminars without putting in their own effort, that would be unfair both to the undergrads who are not getting the full benefit of their course and to the graduate students in those courses.”
This revision follows a set of policy changes enacted this November that altered the procedure that undergraduates must follow in order to take graduate courses.
To register for an advanced course, students must now get the approval of the course instructor, their department and their dean. These regulations were made to help students understand the level of work and expectations involved in graduate coursework by speaking with the instructor and department ahead of time, Fowler told the ‘Prince’ in November.
Read More
Five percent of Class of 2029 identify as Black or African-American, lowest since 1968
Sena ChangIn the Class of 2029, 5 percent of students identified as Black or African American — the lowest share in many years, compared to the roughly seven to nine percent range in the past two decades.
In the Class of 2029, 5 percent of students identified as Black or African American — the lowest share in many years, compared to the roughly seven to nine percent range in the past two decades.
‘Fast and powerful in the water, steady and sure on land’: Friends and family remember Kerry Grundlingh ’27
Hayk YengibaryanKerry Grundlingh ’27 was 21 when she died on July 26 following a cycling accident in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kerry Grundlingh ’27 was 21 when she died on July 26 following a cycling accident in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Princeton Town Council discusses graffiti at Jewish Center and affordable housing
Leela HenslerTown Council addresses recent reports of antisemitic graffiti in public spaces, discusses an ordinance to expand affordable housing, and proposals from local youth to lower the voting age for school board elections.
Town Council addresses recent reports of antisemitic graffiti in public spaces, discusses an ordinance to expand affordable housing, and proposals from local youth to lower the voting age for school board elections.