New Grading System Possible: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences May Implement Plus-Minus Distinctions in 2008

By Jonathan Kealing, Journal-World, Lawrence, Kan.

Aug. 21–In Kansas University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, an “A” is an “A,” and a “B” is a “B.”

Perhaps not for much longer. Among a list of changes, adjustments and realignments coming out of a year’s worth of discussions in the college, the implementation of a plus and minus grading scale could have the most direct, immediate impact on undergraduate students.

By using a plus and minus system, rather than an “A” to “F” system, grades can vary more. A student who receives an 89 percent likely would get a B+ and a student who gets an 81, a B-. Under the traditional system the college now utilizes, both of students likely would have received a B.

And for Sarah-Lambert Cook, that’s a good thing. The sophomore anthropology and art history major said having pluses and minuses on grades is likely to make her work harder. A transfer student, Cook’s old school used pluses and minuses.

“There are some times when grades are teetering on the edge,” she said. “Classes will matter more.”

KU’s schools of business and journalism, as well as others, already use pluses and minuses.

Stephen McDuffie, a Wichita sophomore in business management, has experienced both kinds of classes. He has no problem with using pluses and minuses but understands the complaints that are often raised, including that it could lower students’ grade point averages.

“It could be kind of frustrating,” he said.

The college’s spokeswoman, Christie Appelhanz, said the proposal still must be endorsed by the College Academic Counsel and the College Assembly but anticipated implementation in fall 2008. Faculty expect that the change would, overall, be GPA-neutral.

Next fall could also see the introduction of eight-week courses in the college.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Joseph Steinmetz said the college is considering two types of schedules for those eight-week classes. Students would either meet three hours a week, like normal, for only eight weeks to earn 1.5 credits, or they’d meet on a schedule like summer school, where they compress an entire semester’s course into eight weeks. Those students would earn a full three credits.

“We solicited input from faculty as well as students as to whether or not this is a good idea,” Steinmetz said. “There has been really strong support for this idea from both.”

Steinmetz said eight-week classes could be another way to help students progress more efficiently toward graduation, as well as a way for students who do study abroad programs to have academic work to pursue upon their return.

“We’re trying to introduce flexibility into the students’ schedules,” Steinmetz said. Flexibility was a major theme in a discussion of whether to decrease the number of general education hours needed for a college degree as well.

And while those changes are likely to occur in the near term, the college’s new strategic plan also maps out goals that will take much longer to meet. Just outside Steinmetz’ office door hangs an artist’s rendering of a possible new science building. That facility was part of a differential tuition proposal that students defeated a couple of years ago, but Steinmetz said the facility remains a goal.

However, differential tuition — an extra fee tacked onto certain classes — is not on the table for discussion.

“Funding is not going to come immediately, but it doesn’t mean we don’t keep it as a goal,” he said.

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