The transition to online courses is definitely the right decision by the university to help control the spread of COVID-19. However, the transition is during a time of great stress and anxiety for many students.  Students cannot manage their courses in the typical style they would under normal circumstances. The grading criteria is not under normal circumstances, and should therefore adapt to these changes. It would be incredibly beneficial to the students if there was an option to make classes, even those that are part of a graduation requirement, credit/no credit (CR/NC) based on the choice of the student.

NOTE: Schools, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Penn State, UMass, and Georgetown University already implemented this system of grading, and many other universities are working on making it happen as well. 
Hence, we propose to be provided with the choices CR/NC AND A-F scale system for every single course for the Fall 2020 semester. 

There is a significant portion of the student population that does not live in the Central Time Zone. If they are able to return to their permanent address, their entire schedule is thrown off to what they are used to because of a factor out of their control. For many students, attending the synchronous lectures is not an option. In addition, many students are struggling to learn through online lectures. The pacing, the delivery, and the content is not the same as it would be if it were structured to be in person. To extend on this connotation, not all professors are as comfortable creating online lectures and using online functions overall. Many students have already seen the struggles of trying to fathom material when the professor is struggling to teach via asynchronous and synchronous lectures. Lastly, many students do not have access to a space to study to listen intently at home. As I am sure you are aware, it is very difficult to work efficiently from home with all the chaos a family creates while you are trying to work. Imagine trying to study or complete a project or even do an exam. All of these changes, amidst the pandemic and with the loss of the many outlets we are accustomed too at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), are certain to add immense stress to many students and that would be reflective on their grades. Many students are very protective of their Grade Point Average (GPA) as it directly relates to graduate school admissions and the ability to receive internship and/or job offers during a time when the unemployment rate is incredibly high at 8.4% according to the department of labor. Any help by the university to ensure that GPA's are not skewed, due to the circumstances outside the control of anyone, would benefit numerous students.

Thank you, 

The University of Illinois at Chicago's (UIC) Student Body