Due to the spread of COVID-19 across the state of Arkansas, Ouachita Baptist University has discontinued face-to-face instruction for the remainder of the semester. The campus has shifted to an online learning environment beginning on March 30th. Although we understand the logic behind this heart-wrenching decision, this abrupt shift in our college experience at the hands of COVID-19 has put Ouachita students at an educational disadvantage for a variety of reasons. We believe that the Ouachita administration should enact an optional Pass or No Record grading system for Spring 2020 classes. 

     Ouachita’s diverse student body joins together for a Christian liberal arts education, and these diverse students come from a range of different backgrounds with many home environments that are not optimal for online learning via video conferences or chat-based platforms. Many students are not able to find a quiet area to study. Other limitations include WIFI systems, one’s time zone, and lack of resources. Theater, art, science, and other hands-on majors do not have access to their instruments and other equipment to reach their full potential in class. Many students have adopted new responsibilities since returning home. Some have obtained occupations to help pay for their food since they no longer have meal plans, and other students are having to take care of siblings while their parents work.  

     Not only do many students live in distracting home environments, but some will be directly affected by COVID-19. Some Coronavirus experts predict that the disease will affect up to 80% of the nation. The crippling symptoms of the infection would hinder students and professors alike from being able to complete their duties. Students and professors may also have to take care of loved ones affected by the disease. If COVID-19 does not impact students’ lives directly, the change in the economy and other rising uncertainties will affect Ouachita students at some point in the completion of their Spring 2020 classes.

     These unforeseen circumstances are not ideal, creating mentally trying times for many. Numerous students and professors will encounter hardships with the stresses of COVID-19, and many educational organizations have already recognized these growing problems. The Arkansas Department of Education has allowed high school seniors in good standing to meet graduation requirements, and many undergraduate universities are no longer requiring the ACT and SAT for 2020 admissions. Likewise, many other universities including, Texas A&M, Harvard, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, Emory, and other American campuses, have already adopted a variation of the Pass or a No Record system to adapt to the changing times. A “No Record” system is different from a “fail” in a traditional grading scale; if a student did not reach the requirements set by a professor, they will receive a “no record” for the class, which would not appear on their transcript. This Pass or No Record grading system should be an option for students encountering problems completing their work at Ouachita Baptist University. This Pass or No Record grading scale should be optional because students applying to graduate school might need a complete transcript, or students might desire to raise their GPA. This privilege should not punish any student demographic; instead, it would help those dedicated students in need of extra leeway during this unprecedented time. Ouachita Baptist University students are driven, dedicated, and passionate students that will continue to complete their work and engage in their courses regardless of their situations. However, creating a “low-stakes” learning environment would promote overall wellbeing for all students and professors. In short, we are asking that the Ouachita Baptist University administration provide students with the option to enact a Pass or No Record grading system for their select Spring 2020 classes. We understand that these changes would interrupt the current trajectory for the rest of the semester, but we believe that an appropriate change in the grading scale should mirror the changing times forced by COVID-19.