Pass/fail grades for UAB's spring 2020 semester

The Issue

Online classes pose a number of problems for students. First being that success in online classes often requires a completely different skillset than those of in person classes. The switching to online classes additionally requires students to have access to the internet. This may not be readily accessible to every student thus requiring them to reveal information about their financial status that otherwise would have never been stated. For teachers who have had to transition their classes from in person to online had to do so with limited time. This was not only unfair to the professors but to the students as well. Lack of preparation following the transition from in person to online classes is likely to have negative impact on the effectiveness and clarity of instruction. This also forces students who learn better from in person instruction, rather than online instruction, to take classes online. Continuing to grade students as we otherwise would under this current model of instruction is unfair. It will disproportionally target lower socioeconomic status individuals and leave them additionally vulnerable. I will ask you to seriously consider every scenario when making your decision. Our dorms have been shut down forcing people to move back into their homes where their environment could be abusive, disruptive, infected, dangerous, or even nonexistent. Grading students how we otherwise would is unjust.

This petition had 2,068 supporters

The Issue

Online classes pose a number of problems for students. First being that success in online classes often requires a completely different skillset than those of in person classes. The switching to online classes additionally requires students to have access to the internet. This may not be readily accessible to every student thus requiring them to reveal information about their financial status that otherwise would have never been stated. For teachers who have had to transition their classes from in person to online had to do so with limited time. This was not only unfair to the professors but to the students as well. Lack of preparation following the transition from in person to online classes is likely to have negative impact on the effectiveness and clarity of instruction. This also forces students who learn better from in person instruction, rather than online instruction, to take classes online. Continuing to grade students as we otherwise would under this current model of instruction is unfair. It will disproportionally target lower socioeconomic status individuals and leave them additionally vulnerable. I will ask you to seriously consider every scenario when making your decision. Our dorms have been shut down forcing people to move back into their homes where their environment could be abusive, disruptive, infected, dangerous, or even nonexistent. Grading students how we otherwise would is unjust.

The Decision Makers

UAB students
UAB students
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Petition created on March 19, 2020