COVID-19 has become a global pandemic and recently caused the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to transfer all classes online for the rest of the semester. Under these circumstances it is unfair and unreasonable for the University to expect its students to perform at the same level as they would during a typical semester.
 
Students forced to take online classes find themselves in self-isolation units, others far from campus, others in homes of infected individuals, some under stress for the safety of themselves and their loved ones. Some students are not allowed to leave their home county let alone their home state due to travel bans and lockdowns; meanwhile, others don't feel safe coming to campus and using public computers/ workspaces due to fear of risking infection.
We are proposing a curve for all UTRGV classes to take into new challenges. UTRGV students do not deserve to be punished for trying to complete courses during this international pandemic. Many chose in person classes because of the conflicts that arise for them in online settings. Although we should be given the opportunity to work through these challenges with some assistance from our University.
 
Our institution should assist in bettering students' mental health and relieve stress by showing the university's support for putting students' health first; an institution-wide grade curve should be in order.
 
Personally, a "PASS" or "FAIL" for my last semester at UTRGV does not benefit my goals in improving my GPA. Some students just want to pass, and then there those who wish to do more than just pass due to requirements for furthering their education or job opportunities. This curve will allow students to continue to work hard for a grade but also be at ease knowing something they have no control over will not hinder this Spring 2020 semester, and time and money won't go to waste due to this international pandemic.