| OPINION
| SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
Editorial/Our View
It Just Doesn’t Add Up
Proposed grading system is minus
any advantages
The university is considering instituting
a plus-minus grading system that could have a significant effect
on students’ GPAs. Student Congress opposed this new grading
system Tuesday, and the student body should do the same.
The plus-minus grading system would add a plus or minus to letter
grades. Under the proposed system, students who receive an 87 would
receive a B+, or a 3.33, and students with an 82 would receive a
B-, or 2.67, instead of any grade in the 80s receiving a B. The
only letter grade not entirely affected is A because the system
wouldn’t give an A+.
The Graduate Assembly voted to request that the Office of the Provost
consider the system. Provost Dana Dunn then formed a task force
last November that investigated the adoption of the system.
SC adopted a resolution against the system. The SC speaks for the
student body, and their stance should be taken into consideration
when students are forming opinions.
The university Undergraduate Assembly will consider the grading
scale this November. Students need to voice their opposition to
this proposed system to the Undergraduate Assembly and the Office
of the Provost.
The idea that there are students who work harder than others to
receive a better grade has room for fault. Who is to say which students
are working harder? There are outside circumstances that should
also be taken into account. Maybe a student who works harder in
class doesn’t have a 40-hour-a-week job that other students
in the class may have.
This new system could also have an effect on students seeking a
certain GPA for scholarships. A student who needs a B+ and receives
an 84 in the class but instead gets a B- is penalized because of
this grading system. If this system could cut off students from
receiving necessary funds, it should not be put into effect.
It is not fair for UTA students who receive the same numeral grades
as students from other universities to have different GPAs due to
this different grading system. These students are competing for
the same jobs.
Students should examine the issue, see how it affects them and give
feedback to university administrators, the Undergraduate Assembly
and each other.
CORRECTION
This editorial should have stated that a student
who gets an 84 under the plus-minus grading system would receive
a B.
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Editorial
round-up
The issue:
The university is considering a plus-minus grading system.
We suggest:
Students should voice their opposition to university
officials.
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