Due to the spread of COVID-19, FIT as well as many other college campuses and educational institutions around the country have decided to discontinue face-to-face instruction and proceed with virtual instruction. While this decision greatly serves the population and protects people from potential exposure to illness and contaminants, it puts the students of FIT at an educational disadvantage for a variety of reasons.

A pass/fail option can alleviate some of the stresses caused by measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Due to the hands-on nature of courses at FIT, many classes aren’t transferable to online instruction. Some students have limited educational resources at home such as computers, internet access, and quiet working environments, especially due to being advised to stay at home. This pass/fail grading system can also alleviate stress on professors, who may not be familiar with teaching virtual classes. The sudden shift from in-person classes to online has been strenuous on both students and professors. A pass/fail grading system can alleviate some of the challenges facing both parties, while still allowing students to complete their courses given the unforeseen circumstances.

Colleges have successfully achieved pass/fail grading systems through petitions like this one. Some schools are making it an optional choice for students.