university

This petition requests that the University of North Carolina at Charlotte extend their policy of being able to opt-in to a pass/no credit grade substitution to the Fall 2020 semester. The University has sent multiple e-mails throughout the summer and into this fall semester expressing concern for student health. The extension of the pass/no credit option would help alleviate additional stress created by the abrupt transition to digital learning, turning the institution's words into action. Especially with the multiple changes of plans from in-person to online instruction as the semester started, students have been forced to be more adaptable than they signed up to be. As one of these students, I am confused as to why the institution has followed in the footsteps of a number of  North Carolina higher educational institutions as it relates to the opening/closing of facilities but not their educational policy. Among some of the schools that have extended the option of claiming pass/no credit for their students for the fall semester are: UNC Chapel Hill NC State ECU Duke This petition was made not with the intent of criticizing an institution but in advocacy for its students' health (both physical and mental) and academic wellbeing. Thank you. 

The University of South Carolina should make the pass/fail option available to all fall 2020 students. For most of us, all of our classes got moved online, and we are still paying full tuition. We are taking classes like biology, chemistry, and calculus all online, which is a completely different and harder experience than an in person class. UofSC should make the pass/fail option available to students, we did not choose this and should not have to suffer the consequences. We are not able to learn to our fullest ability because of the choices made by the university. Pass/Fail benefits students who did not preform as well as they wanted in their harder classes, as it does not place a letter grade on the students transcript. This is the least the university can do to their support their students to the fullest ability. 

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

UNO is charging students the same amount as the past years except this year we are in a pandemic, and not using nearly as many resources and amenities as we have in the past. They are charging a $500-$700 distance fee (charging more for online courses) and for some students, taking online courses was not a choice. In the past, there were free mental health services provided as well as gym access. These services are now either limited or no longer free (included in tuition). During this time, students need these services more than ever, especially considering the conditions of this pandemic.  UNO was given federal aid from the CARES Act to help alleviate financial struggle and well as lighten the financial burden on students. However, this semester we are not seeing a change in tuition. In fact, for many students prices have increased. Below are personal stories: "My distance education fee was around $700 this year. I don’t have a choice. Most every student does not have a choice. I understand colleges have to make money, but we are being taken advantage of. This is a hard time for everyone and our voices need to be heard." "I paid the distance education fee in college because I CHOSE to take online classes. Now, for many students, this isn’t a choice. Some of them have underlying conditions and can’t risk coming to school, some of them are trying to prevent the chance that they could spread it to their loved ones with underlying conditions, etc. UNO received $11.5 million from the CARES Act to help alleviate the costs incurred from this pandemic, so there should be no need to put that cost on the students. The cost of higher education is already a great barrier for many people. Do better University of Nebraska at Omaha." "Students who are taking classes totally online (not always their choice) are not allowed access to H&K, counseling services, the health center, etc. This is because they are not charged a UPF fee. However, I think students are frustrated because they are being made to pay the same amount as they did last year (because of the distance fee) without the same access to services. Access to these services should be available without an extra fee, especially when they are mainly health related. Isn’t it most important to take care of our mental and physical health during this time?"