COVID-19 has dramatically affected educational systems across the country. The University of Vermont, like many other institutions across the country, has shifted to remote instruction for all students. We support this decision in order to better protect our students, staff, and faculty. However, this decision has also put the students at UVM at an educational disadvantage, one that may cause unnecessary stress and panic in an already stressful climate. 

There are a plethora of online systems that have been implemented from Zoom meetings to prerecorded lectures, but all of these systems come with advantages and disadvantages. The inability to meet with professors and/ or TAs one-on-one will hinder the learning process and potentially affect performance simply because a student cannot get all their questions answered in a timely manner. I know students and faculty check their emails, skype calls, and blackboard messages often, but WIFI availability, quiet learning environments, and time are also factors that need to be considered. 

Without access to campus resources such as the libraries, computer labs, affinity spaces, and other comfortable study spaces, students may not perform as well as they would have this situation not arisen. It is unfair to punish students who may not have access to a stable internet connection, food, or housing while they are away from campus. We must also recognize that UVM students reside in many different time zones and having scheduled lectures with strict due dates for assignments may be difficult to adhere to for students who live on the West Coast, for example. 

Many other top universities such as Georgetown and Northwestern have offered a pass/fail option for classes. The ability to switch to pass/fail courses will take away one of the biggest stressors on all of our minds "what about my GPA?". UVM students are passionate about their studies and will continue to work hard even in this time of great uncertainty. Allowing for a pass/fail option does not mean the course work will be easier or that we will not take pride in our work, it simply gives students that have been put into a tough academic situation the ability to focus on their work but also their mental and physical health.