On March 25, the Faculty Senate passed an opt-in Pass/Fail policy that does not do enough to address student needs, and created vast inequities between students based on their access to resources or their ability to use Pass/Fails on their transcript. We’re calling for Rice University to implement a Double A grading policy, meaning every student would receive an A or A- in every class. This policy meaningfully supports students who need letter grades for grad schools or scholarships, ensures no student fails during a pandemic, and allows students and faculty to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing first. We’ve included some bullet points for why a Double A policy would be the best grading policy for Rice to adopt this semester, but feel free to read more in our op-ed published in the Thresher: ​

https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2020/04/double-a-grading-rices-chance-for-equity

* INCREASED EQUITY FOR ALL: Any opt-in policy creates inequity and inequality between students. Advantaged students can continue to take classes on an A through F grading school and get a corresponding GPA boost during Spring 2020, while their peers may get penalized for supposedly “choosing” to put on a P/F, even though they did not truly have a choice due to their home circumstances, including family responsibilities. Other students may be required to take classes for a letter grade for grad school applications or to maintain scholarship eligibility, meaning they receive no accommodations under an opt-in policy. A/A- grading is by far the most fair and equitable system because it supports students without the resources they need to succeed and provides accommodations for students who need letter grades. 

* ALLEVIATES STUDENT STRESS: Students are facing a wide range of new stressors including their families' financial stability amid widespread economic shutdowns, anxiety about staying safe during the current pandemic, and the isolation associated with social distancing. Even with the best of circumstances, students are facing unprecedented outside pressures during these last few weeks of the semester. Many find themselves without the resources, routines, and outlets campus provides. Some students are at risk of failing their classes or forced to prioritize their grades before more important issues. No student should fail during a global pandemic. Under A/A- grading, students would be able to prioritize their needs and well-being before their academic work.

* ALLEVIATES PROFESSOR STRESS: Professors are also facing a host of the same worries or concerns as students. Many are homeschooling their kids, making sure they’re able to provide for themselves and their loved ones. As professors they have been tasked with converting their classes online, having to revamp their syllabi, and evaluating students through purely online means. This task can be especially daunting for courses where an online transition is especially difficult, such as VADA, MUSI, or lab courses. Having A/A- grading would alleviate the stress placed on professors to come up with precise metrics about how to fairly accommodate and grade students.