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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1978)
Students downgrade themselves to graduate By KELI OSBORN Of the Emerald The University's confusing grading system has created an unusual problem, leading some students to petition to change their D grades to F’s in order to graduate. “It’s ludicrous," says Marliss Strange, a member of the Academic Requirements commit tee, a University student-faculty group which reviews such peti tions. Strange says the present grad ing system can surprise students at the end of their college career by preventing their graduation. "A student can function for a long time without realizing he’s in trouble,” she says. The trouble arises from two separate rules governing the kinds of grades tallied for gradua tion requirements. The first — the 85 percent rule — says that for all graded work completed, 85 percent must be passed with grades of A, B, C, D or P. (I,X, and Y are marks and are not counted as work completed.) The second rule requires that 90 percent of credit earned A, B, C, D and P must be passed satis factorily or with no Ds. So, while complying with the 85 percent rule a student can still vio late the second, a glaring problem is the lack of an adequate warning system for students who are breaking the 90 percent rule. University Registrar Wanda Johnson says an academic warn ing system has been im plemented, but admits it doesn’t do enough. Though it catches students who accumulate a cer tain amount of D, F and N credit over one or two terms, the system can overlook the student who gradually gathers D grades through several years of study. A sub-committee of the Academic Requirements commit tee is now studying proposals for new percentage rules that would put an end to the problems created by the current grading system. But Bob James, a faculty member of the sub-committee, stresses that the new proposals can only be a temporary solution. “What we have now, in our grading system, is more patch than boat,” James says. The entire grading system must be revised, he says. However, such a major change is at least two years away, and it is wise to add more patch to the boat to meet current needs, he insists. Last spring, James submitted a proposal to the faculty that would have brought all work taken pass-no pass under the 85 per cent rule, and graded work under a reinstated GPA standard. He now admits the proposal was ill-conceived. “It would have required students receiving “no passes” to continue taking clas ses pass-no pass in order to meet the 85 percent rule," he says. James says it will be March 1979 before the faculty approves any temporary revisions of the grading system, and encourages students to make their opinions of the system known to the Academic Requirements com mittee. Students can reach James at 686-2842 or leave a message for him in the Fine and Applied Arts office in Lawrence Hall. Strange is available for discussion of the grading system in her office in 164 Oregon Hall. Official advocates peer advising SALLY HODGKIN SON Of the Emerald Peer counseling is a “big step in the right direction” toward improv ing University academic advising, according to Gerry Moseley, as sociate provost for student affairs. “I personally have absolutely no reservations about peer advis ing,” Moseley says. “I’ve seen it work before, so I’m a strong advo cate.” Moseley came to the University in March from the University of Texas-Austin which has, he says, a very successful peer advising program. Moseley says he is impressed with the psychology department's pilot peer advising program. Peo pie, both within and outside the University community, are watch ing it carefully, he adds. “I think they’re going about it very reasonably and very care fully. There's no way it can’t be successful,” he says. "I see it snowballing very fast because the need for competent careful pre-advising is so essen tial, so rewarding, and so clearly a good idea,^says Moseley. But there may be a problem in getting enough students trained as peer advisors, Moseley says. One reason for inadequate ad vising at the University is “human nature," Moseley says. It's human nature to wait until the last minute to seek academic advice, thus causing an advising traffic jam that faculty advisors can’t handle. Peer advisors could help ease that last minute advising load and encourage students to seek help earlier by being readily available throughout the year, Moseley suggests. Moseley says a major disad vantage to peer advising may be giving academic credit for advis ing rather than wages. “I don’t think we should have academic credit for something which is a work-related task," he says. Peer advising is just a part of Moseley’s goal to improve academic advising. He also plans to supply faculty advisors with bet ter information about each student's program and grades, and support and recognize out standing advisors. Students will cast ballots today in IFC, SUAB primary election University students once more will have a chance to choose who will represent their interests on both the Incidental Fee Commit tee and the Student University Af fairs Board. Primary elections will be held today and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at a variety of campus pol ling places, with general elections to follow Nov. 8-9. This year, 21 people are seek ing seven seats on the IFC and a chance to influence allocation of $1.5 million in student fees. IFC members fund over 55 student programs and services, including the EMU, the Athletic Department, ASUO programs and others. Over $31 is taken each term from every students' tuition and fees payment to support these programs. A typical student's four-year stay at the University will cost about $350 in incidental fees. SUAB members represent stu dents in all academic areas in both the University Senate and the University Faculty, and work for student interests with the ad ministration. Of the 18 two-year positions in tthe SUAB, six will be vied for this vweek.-However, only positions Oregon Dally Emerald representing Architectural Allied Arts, will be contested, as only four candidates have sought SUAB posts in the election. SUAB chairer Gary McMahon encourages those interested to begin write-in campaigns, in view of the fact that no one has filed for three of the positions. They are: positions 3 and 4, business and economics, and position 11, Fine and Applied Arts. Students may vote at one of eight polling places, including the library, the Carson and Hamilton dormitory cafeterias, Amazon Student Housing, the EMU lobby and outside the Law School. John Clark 1687-B0B3 SALE With this ad you can have 20% off on any regular priced furniture or floral arrangements in our store. Come in and have a look at our incredible selection of wicker baskets and furniture. LdjfoilfFilMfc'illrd; [%^j|r^!fc%#4|[-W Emerald graphic r4 Congressman JIM WEAVER Nov. 1 Room 129 Law School Topic Cutting the Budget: The New Political Ecology Questions and answers to follow
