Our nation is facing an economic recession as well as a pandemic. Students', faculty, and staff have not only themselves to worry and care for, but families as well. Transitioning to online instruction this semester is extremely difficult and adds another stressor onto a growing list. 

For many students', we work part-time service jobs, placing us on the front lines of the chaos of living without pay. We have to focus on getting food, maintaining shelter, maintaining jobs, meeting healthcare needs, and anything else essential for survival. While we focus on maintaining basic needs, completing assignments and working towards excellent grades is a daunting task. Our needs, mental health, and physical health come first. 

Oakland Community College should allow all students' who do not want to have a letter grade on their transcript to have Pass/No Record COVID marks for the Winter 2020 semester. Universities across the country are making this decision- including the University of Michigan, MIT, Duke, Columbia, and Vanderbilt. This allows us to continue our education in this stressful time as well as to not destroy our GPA because of the added stress due to events outside of our control. This is not us quitting. This will allow students' and professors to focus on surviving during these harsh and dark times. The college can mark transcripts so employers and those applying as transfer students can know that students were facing extraordinary circumstances. The students of Oakland Community College may return next semester ready to learn and succeed.