As students at UCLA, we are writing in response to the recent implementation of a grading policy that enforces a bell-curve method, capping the number of higher letter grades in lower-division mathematics courses. This method of grading was introduced without prior announcement and is being enforced after the academic quarter has already commenced. Like many of our fellow students, we feel blindsided and disheartened by this policy, especially after having used our first and second enrollment passes to enroll in these classes.

From a personal perspective, the sudden enforcement of this grading policy is not only a direct disruption to our academic plans but also diminishes the collaborative environment that UCLA promises to nurture. UCLA prides itself on being a collaborative institution. This policy, however, punishes collaboration by fostering competition over cooperation, ultimately detracting from the educational experience.

These concerns are not hypothetical. Just last quarter, in a lower-division mathematics course taught by Professor Kashefi, the cutoff for an A was reportedly adjusted to a 99% after all assessments had been completed, explicitly to cap the number of A grades awarded. This retroactive change exemplifies the lack of transparency and fairness that students now fear will become normalized under this policy. Adjusting grade cutoffs after performance is known undermines trust in the grading system and leaves students feeling powerless despite their efforts.

Moreover, UCLA’s decision to enforce such restrictive grading limits puts our university at a disadvantage compared to other T20 institutions, many of which are known for grade inflation rather than deliberate grade deflation. This discrepancy not only impacts us as current students but also casts a shadow over our academic records, potentially affecting future opportunities in graduate programs, scholarships, and job markets.

Sign this petition to encourage the university to uphold a fair and just grading system, one that is transparent, consistent, and supportive of student achievement and collaborative learning.

We are proud to be UCLA students and to be part of an academic community that values excellence, integrity, and student success. Precisely because we care deeply about this institution, we believe it is essential to make our voices heard when policies threaten those values. By signing this petition, you stand with fellow students in calling for transparency, fairness, and a grading system that truly reflects effort and learning at UCLA.

Thank you for your support.