Petition to the Administration of the International College of Health Sciences (ICHS): Request for Overall Grade Adjustments and Fair Grading Practices for the Capstone June 2024 Cohort

To the Esteemed Administration of the International College of Health Sciences,

We, the students of the Capstone June 2024 cohort, respectfully submit this petition to address several significant concerns regarding the academic support, grading system, and overall treatment we have experienced throughout this semester. We believe that these issues have greatly impacted our ability to succeed, both academically and personally, and we are requesting fair adjustments and changes to ensure a more equitable learning environment for all students.

Request for Remediation Score Adjustments
We are asking that the college allow points for mandatory remediation to replace weekly scores. The tests administered weekly were designed by instructors rather than strictly following the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) guidelines, as expected. It was found that test questions were drawn from external resources such as Saunders and HESI, which belong to different platforms, and as a result, do not align with ATI’s specific learning outcomes. Although we understand that the college has the right to change platforms, we were given insufficient notice of these changes, and the assistance provided was subpar.

The platforms each teach content differently, which placed students at a disadvantage in properly preparing for assessments. Additionally, the required passing grade of 75% or above for these weekly tests was difficult to achieve due to this misalignment, which is why we are requesting remediation scores be used to replace the original weekly scores.

Grading System and Lack of Proper Resources
While we understand that each program sets its own grading standards, we believe that the grading system at the International College of Health Sciences is excessively high, particularly when students are not given adequate resources to pass. Without appropriate study materials and support, expecting students to meet these standards is unrealistic and unfair. It is unreasonable to hold students to such high standards when the platform, teaching method, and assistance have not been sufficient to ensure success.

Unfair Treatment and Lack of Support
In addition, the treatment of students by certain instructors has been disrespectful and discouraging. Students have been told that “we should know this already” and that “we are not thinking critically,” instead of receiving the support and guidance needed to succeed. There is a clear lack of care and concern for student success, and when we ask for help, it is either dismissed or inadequately addressed.

It appears that the college is more focused on punishing students for potential cheating than on providing actual assistance and creating a fair academic environment. This focus, combined with constant financial demands on students, is unacceptable and detrimental to our progress.

Financial, Mental, and Physical Strain
The situation has caused significant financial, mental, and physical stress on students. The lack of resources, support, and understanding from the administration has left many of us feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Instead of fostering student retention and success, this environment has led to higher dropout rates and increased pressure on those who remain.

Further complicating our ability to succeed is the issue of WiFi problems and power outages, which are beyond students’ control. Many students live in Airbnb accommodations or homes where internet issues can occur. When this happens, students are unfairly given automatic zeros for assignments or exams, further impacting our grades. This policy is unjust, as technical difficulties should not result in academic penalties, especially when we have no control over them.

Request for First Exam Score Adjustments
Lastly, we request that the score of the first exam be re-evaluated. We were not given access to necessary ATI study materials until halfway through the semester, and only after students raised concerns. By that time, we had already taken the first exam without the proper resources to prepare. Despite this, no adjustments were made to the exam scores, which has had a lasting negative effect on our overall grades. We ask that the weight of this exam be adjusted from 30% to 20% to reflect the disadvantage we faced.

Our Demands
In light of the above, we request the following actions be taken:

Replacement of weekly test scores with remediation scores to reflect students’ efforts and to correct for the unfair testing practices that were implemented.
Adjustment of the grading system to more accurately reflect the resources and support provided to students.
Increased assistance and respect from instructors, ensuring students receive the support they need to succeed, without being dismissed or disrespected.
Adjustment of the first exam’s weight, reducing it from 30% to 20% due to the late access to necessary study materials.
Consideration of external factors like WiFi issues and power outages, preventing automatic zeroes from being issued in these situations beyond the students' control.
We hope that the International College of Health Sciences will carefully consider these requests and take immediate action to ensure a fair and equitable academic experience for all students. We look forward to a positive response and the necessary changes to support student success.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Capstone June 2024 Cohort