+/- ? In My Grading System? It’s More Likely Than You Think

Questions surrounding RIT’s grading system are unfolding into an interesting debate. Should a “+” or “-” be added? Although SG doesn’t have a say on the outcome of this type of policy, they can advocate by supporting the change or opposing it. “I think it’s very important that students actually have a voice on what’s going on with their grade,” said RHA representative, Phil Amsler.

Suggestions for the most effective way to get student opinions on this topic included the idea of emailing a mass survey. “I think this is particularly interesting for more of the subjective classes, like in the arts,” said SG President Matt Danna.

A problem that arose last year was allowing the faculty to choose whether or not they wanted to use “+” or “-”. Unfortunately grading became very confusing because some opted to use it while others did not. Ultimately, SG decided that more information is needed before they openly support or oppose changes in the grading system.

More Student Involvement

SG brainstormed ideas on how to connect with students and get them more involved in events offered around campus. Jacqueline Robinson, vice president of SG, posed the question, “What can we do to reach out to the students to get them involved, to make them feel satisfied?”

Alaina Somers, GCCIS senator, suggested that organizing the existing events calendar would make finding events easier for students. “The complaint I hear a lot is that people will say ‘nothing’s going on on campus’ and it’s because sometimes it’s hard to find,” she said.

In addition, Robinson suggested an alternative to putting up flyers, which she called “dorm-storming” and “apartment-storming,” where the senate would meet people and tell them about upcoming events, face to face.

No More FYE?

Through the program Greater Expectations, Dr. Dick Doolittle, assistant provost for Undergraduate Education, spoke of evolving FYE and redefining the two, one-credit courses that make up the program. Discovery would be the first of the two, offered in the fall; and, Innovation would be the second, offered in the winter.

Discovery would organize students by major, where they would learn more about their program, meet with faculty and FYE coaches, and get a deeper look at their studies. Innovation would organize students into multidisciplinary teams and teach the process of innovation from the point of an idea, to researching, and finally, to generating an outcome.