Dear Centenary University Administration,

COVID-19 has wreaked global havoc, causing detrimental effects within our communities, not only emotionally and physically, but also mentally. Centenary University students, as well as, students throughout the country have voiced concerns about completing the semester through online courses. Many universities and colleges have recognized the hardship placed on students and are offering students alternates to traditional grades for the spring semester. We, the students of Centenary University, petition for a Pass / Fail option for Spring 2020 courses.

A Pass / Fail option would allow students to decide whether or not to request a final Pass or Fail grade for a course rather than a traditional letter grade. While Centenary students may currently petition for a Pass / Fail final grade, the process is lengthy and cumbersome.  We appreciate and applaud the professor’s efforts to transition to online platforms; but in reality, most traditional courses do not translate smoothly to an online platform. Many students do not have the ability to do our best due to the sheer logistics of completing course work off campus. Many of us learned we could not return to campus during spring break and quite simply, a lot of us do not have our books or notes.  Additionally, each student may have their own burdens to overcome, some of us have been displaced, might learn better in the traditional classroom, are afraid of being sick, are essential workers, have to tend to loved ones who have contracted COVID-19 or take care of siblings who do not have the luxury of going to daycare. Any or all of these burdens put students at risk of getting lower grades that could have a lasting and detrimental effect on current and future GPAs.

Some universities have passed all of their students. Many universities and colleges have instituted Passed / Fail Options, without the obstacles of appeal processes and approval from boards. Rowan University, University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgetown University, Columbia University have all given students the option to handle coursework during this pandemic with an easier mind. Instead of dwelling on grades, a Pass / Fail option allows us to focus on more important things, such as our well-being and the well-being of our families. 

Sincerely,

Centenary Students