Given the extenuating circumstances surrounding the coronavirus and the shift to online classes for the fall 2020 semester, Michigan State University should proceed to give students the option for all their courses for this semester determined on a pass/fail credit basis. The classes this semester should have no presence on any students’ grade point average. The argumentation for this is as follows:

We first scheduled classes in high hopes and spirits about another in-person taught semester. Unfortunately, classes have been moved online due to the pandemic and have been put into different formats: synchronous and asynchronous. These asynchronous classes are some of the most challenging courses for all types of students.

 Secondly, I would like to point out the fact some students may lack access to the required tools that are needed for their learning online. This issue could cause student's GPA to be lower.

When spring semester 2020 switched to virtual learning in March, students had a hard transition to online school and this fall semester isn’t any different. As the semester started online, it became difficult to keep up with the workload. Many of us do not have friends in any of our courses to keep each other accountable. 

I believe since we were given the option to do pass-fail in the Spring when we switched online, we should be able to do pass-fail for this online semester. GPAs are important and regardless students want to have a good one therefore students try in their classes and if they succeed there’s no reason why they would use a pass fail option. It would just be nice to have that as an option due to the fact we can't even get face to face time with a professor or tutor, and zoom tutoring and zoom lectures are not the same at all. It also would be extremely helpful to have pass-fail due to the fact some students might contract COVID 19 to the point where their symptoms are so bad they are unable to do work. I do know some professors are giving extensions and helping students who contract the virus. With the extensions some professors are granting, it is easier to fall behind and or get overstressed. Mainly because students will have the work for the current unit, as well as the work that was missed when the student was ill and unable to do the work.  I understand this is a stressful time for everybody, not just us students. It would be much appreciated to help relieve some stress by granting us students a safety blanket.

Students' mental health is also something to look at as well. Staying in one particular location doing homework, lectures, assignments takes a huge toll on someone’s mental health. Worrying about one’s GPA will increase mental health issues as well because students will constantly be fixated on that one class that is not high enough.