‪Vanderbilt University’s administration must offer a Pass/Fail option to our current courses, without discounting their fulfillment of credit (major requirements, core requirements, etc.). With the stress of traveling and moving out, the state of public health, anxiety regarding future uncertainties, etc., students must not be expected to continue at their usual, grade-based standards of performance. A Pass/Fail option will help students tremendously in this troubling time.

Although a deferral of coursework is a helpful solution in the short term, how long are we willing to defer the coursework from this semester? An online classroom isn’t conducive to the needs of every student, like those without a stable internet connection, those who live in different time zones, and those who require accommodations, resources, and guidance in addition to in-class instruction. It is unfair to punish students adversely affected by circumstances outside of their control. We do not know how long we will have to wait until the coronavirus subsists so that we can return to campus. It could be months. Unfortunately, we have no idea. Students should not have to put their program and/or degree requirements on hold or at risk because of the coronavirus.

Furthermore, other universities have already taken such steps to help their students by allowing a Pass/Fail option with retention of credit, including Georgetown University and Grinnell College.

A Pass/Fail option will allow students to continue their education, which is more important than assessments, in a timely manner, without the additional stress that continues to increase.