Some Students Long for the Old "A+"
Three years after university changed grading policy, students and faculty remain divided over its impact.
Emmanuel Kakulu
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
Several years ago, Lincoln University implemented a new grading system that made an "A" or 4.0, the maximum grade that a student could receive for a course, eliminating the once used "A+" grading system that had a maximum available grade point average of 4.3. The policy took effect during the Fall 2005 semester and was put into effect in order to bring Lincoln's grading system up to date with most institutions across the nation.
According to the Resolutions of The Board of Trustees, much debate had arisen over the issue of grade inflation and the 4.3 maximum GPA having a great effect on the significant number of students graduating with cum, magna, and summa cum laude honors. The document states that the Board of Trustees was "desirous of bringing Lincoln University's grading system in line with most of the grading systems of present universities."
However, in a series of interviews with various faculty members, there may have been ulterior motives behind the proposal of the policy change.
"There was a perception that some units of the University gave the "A+" more often than others," said Dr. J. K. Van Dover, a professor in the Department of English and Mass Communications. He said that it was rumored across campus that the School of Social Sciences gave out more "A+'s" and had more students graduate with a GPA exceeding 4.0 than any other school within the university.
Many faculty members support the policy and said that they see it as an initiative taken in the best interest of students.
"Many students were hampered getting into graduate school because 4.3's were given here and not at most schools," said Dr. John Chikwem, Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Chikwem said that the decision was made to save Lincoln graduates from any speculation that their transcripts could not hold up when placed against other area colleges and universities.
Dr. F. Carl Walton, associate professor of Political Science and director of the Horace Mann Bond Honors Program agrees.
According to the Resolutions of The Board of Trustees, much debate had arisen over the issue of grade inflation and the 4.3 maximum GPA having a great effect on the significant number of students graduating with cum, magna, and summa cum laude honors. The document states that the Board of Trustees was "desirous of bringing Lincoln University's grading system in line with most of the grading systems of present universities."
However, in a series of interviews with various faculty members, there may have been ulterior motives behind the proposal of the policy change.
"There was a perception that some units of the University gave the "A+" more often than others," said Dr. J. K. Van Dover, a professor in the Department of English and Mass Communications. He said that it was rumored across campus that the School of Social Sciences gave out more "A+'s" and had more students graduate with a GPA exceeding 4.0 than any other school within the university.
Many faculty members support the policy and said that they see it as an initiative taken in the best interest of students.
"Many students were hampered getting into graduate school because 4.3's were given here and not at most schools," said Dr. John Chikwem, Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Chikwem said that the decision was made to save Lincoln graduates from any speculation that their transcripts could not hold up when placed against other area colleges and universities.
Dr. F. Carl Walton, associate professor of Political Science and director of the Horace Mann Bond Honors Program agrees.
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