On March 10, 2020, Montclair State University announced that all classes will be moved online for the remainder of the semester. Three (3) Montclair State University employees have tested positive for COVID-19, and the university asked all students residing on campus should return to their permanent residence if possible.

Due to the unavoidable change to online classes, the uncertainty & anxiety resulting from this situation, as well as the likelihood that some students (or family members) may be ill, students' grades may suffer and their permanent academic performance will be deeply affected. MSU’s students are appreciative that the University has taken the health of its students & faculty into consideration and that they are providing online instruction; however, we believe that the next step is to allow a pass/fail option, or a generous curve, for all classes currently in progress. Reasons to adjust are as follows: 

1.  As of March 18th, there are 427 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey and numbers are growing by the hundreds each day.  Most cases within the State are in close proximity to MSU causing extreme anxiety. There is also a strong likelihood that students and/or family member may become ill, how will students be able to focus on their studies? We should be prioritizing the health and well-being of our community over grades at this moment.

2.  With the many businesses closing down, student-workers and   ​parents/guardians are facing financial duress.  

3. Online instruction is incomparable to the experience and learning that one may have in the class and during in-person lectures; although many students may transition seamlessly to learning online, there will be an indisputable part of our student body that will face difficulties in focusing and/or truly understanding class material.
3. Some students benefit greatly from class participation & discussion, this opportunity will now be taken away from them.
 

For the reasons stated above, we ask that Montclair State University offer students the option of pass/fail grading for the Spring 2020 semester. At the end of the semester, students should be given the option to keep the letter grade on their transcript, or choose a grade of pass or fail that would still count towards their degree completion.