The Triangle

Issue date: 6/2/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Karl Kuchs

The plus-minus grading system was approved by Provost Stephen Director, June 1. The system will take effect fall 2006.

A note will be placed on the students' transcript regarding the effective date of change in the grading system.

In a June 1 University-wide memo sent by the Office of the Provost, Director gave his reasons for the system.

"This change, originally proposed by the Faculty Senate Committee for Faculty Affairs and approved by the Faculty Senate, will help students better understand their academic progress throughout their Drexel career and allowing faculty members to more accurately assess student performance. Plus-minus grading also keeps Drexel in step with peer institutions, as well as a majority of colleges and universities throughout the nation."

Director made his decision based on several factors that include consulting with the academic deans, directors and faculty members, as well as listening to feedback from students. He also examined how the plus-minus grading system was being used at other institutions.

Director attended the Student Forum hosted by the Undergraduate Student Government Association, March 9. He was made aware of students' concerns about the possibility of an artificial grade point average deflation if the grading system was implemented. However, Director's research showed that the grading system has caused minimal changes to the average GPA.

"The Office of the Provost will assess the impact of the new system, including average term and overall GPAs and distributions for each academic program… to ensure that the goal of finer assessment is met without adversely affecting student GPAs," Director said. "Any statistically significant reductions in average GPAs will be taken into account when determining renewal of merit scholarships."

USGA wants to work with Director on helping students understand the benefits of the grading system.

"The most important thing to realize is that the administration is not here to get us," said Daniel Steinberg, USGA president. "Their decision is really in the best interest of the students. The USGA is going to sit down with Provost Director and get a more in-depth look on why and how it benefited the students. Once we have his thoughts, we will communicate them to the students."

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