In one of their recent meetings, Student Government Association passed bill S.B. 6 SGA 2020-2021 calling for increased options for grading. The bill specifically addressed a Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) option.
The choice of taking a class CR/NC was given to students in the spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the abrupt shift to distance learning after spring break. For spring semester 2020, CSS students were allowed to wait for final grade posting and then change to a CR/NC system rather than keeping their letter grade. A substantial number of traditional undergraduate students utilized this option: 277 traditional undergraduates, 18% of the population, used the option of a CR/NC course in spring 2020.
In the SGA bill, senators argue that situations have not changed since last spring, and that in many cases they have gotten worse as resources have dwindled and students have been expected to adjust to a “new normal.”
The bill reads, “These conditions should not be considered the ‘new normal’ and should instead inspire change as many students, faculty, and staff are navigating new systems, regulations, and ways of life amid a pandemic.”
The bill also says that this fall, like in the spring, students were expected to adapt to shifting school environments and that methods of course delivery were not well-defined when students registered for classes. In fact, some course delivery methods were not communicated until Labor Day, the weekend before the start of the semester. In addition, due to community spread, President Barbara McDonald announced on Nov. 17 that the college would enter Alert Level Three following Thanksgiving break, with all in-person classes moving online, including those courses such as labs and music ensembles in which a physical presence is practically a necessity.
However, in addition to attempting to adjust to school during a pandemic, students are also looking to land jobs or spots in postgraduate programs after graduation, and career counselor Mary Anderson spoke to The Script about how CR/NC classes can affect life after graduation.
Anderson said, “In general, we find that most employers are far more concerned about your degree, major and relevant experiences than they are about a grade in a specific course. However, there are certain fields that might ask about a grade in a particular class. For example, some accounting firms might inquire about a grade in an advanced accounting course, or a medical research position might be interested in the grade for a specific course.”
She added that the CR/NC option, if offered by the college, is more likely to affect those pursuing graduate and professional programs.
“While some graduate programs have been more lenient in accepting a different grading option during this time, others still require letter grades for pre-requisite courses. It is critical that students investigate the programs they are considering for specific requirements.”
Anderson said that what is more important than the choice to take a course for CR/NC is the story behind the choice. She said that students should be able to articulate to future employers or graduate programs the reason behind the choice and create a story that includes elements such as resilience, adaptability, and creative solution finding.
If students are allowed to take courses for CR/NC as SGA is proposing, they should discuss this decision with their advisors in order to make sure it will not adversely affect their life after graduation, and anyone looking for help with post-graduation life can reach out to Mary Anderson and other career counselors at [email protected].