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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 6, 1995)
Grade policy for repeated courses needs changing O n March 9, the Student Senate will vote on Bill 94(F) 23 — the “Course Repetition/Grade Replace ment” bill. As the author of the bill, I would like to ex plain some of its main points to the A&M student body. Currently, if a student retakes a class, the grades from both classes are averaged into that student’s grade point ratio. For example, if you take a class and receive a “D” and then retake it and receive a “B,” both grades will be averaged together, giving you a “C.” The bill proposes that this policy be changed so that when a student retakes a course, only the grade of the last attempt will be used for computing the GPR. If a student decides to or must repeat a course, then they will be agreeing to give up the grade re ceived the first time under all circumstances. In other words, a student will run the risk of hav ing a lower grade computed into their GPR if they do not receive a better grade the next time. Most grades will still remain on the tran script; only an “R” will be placed next to the pre vious attempts. Also, a “Q” will not replace a previous grade re ceived so that students will not be able to abuse the system by Q-dropping a course to get out of a bad grade being averaged into their GPR. In a 1992 study on grading policies conducted by the American Association of Collegiate Regis trars and Admissions Officers, 65% of the 1,601 schools responding either use the grade of the last attempt or the highest grade for computing student GPRs. State representative Kubiak has authored House Bill 31, which calls for all Texas schools to use one of these two systems, but the bill has yet to be voted on. A&M’s current grading system is not consistent with their definition of what grades represent. The 1994-95 Undergraduate Catalog states that grades are “an indication of the proficiency of their endeavors,” and that “students attend a college or university to extend their education.” Averaging grades is a misrepresentation of the amount of knowledge a student has learned by the time of their graduation. This bill was written with the idea that students retake courses to learn material they formerly did not understand, not to inflate their GPR. If the bill was written purely to inflate GPRs, then the grades from the previous attempts would not be left on the transcript. When an employer or graduate school looks at an A&M transcript, the GPR is not even on there. Therefore, if the policy is changed, a student who fails classes and has to repeat them will not have an edge over someone who received the same grade the first time around. If grades represent the amount of knowledge a student acquires during their college career, then the system should be changed. If grades are not an indication of this, then A&M should change its defin ition of what grades represent. This system change is for the average student who is here to master their area of study. It is not for abusers of the system. S ome have an unrealistic fear that students who continually fail classes will be here for umpteen A&M's current grading system is not consistent with its definition of what grades represent. years, repeating courses until they have a 4.0. In response to this, if a student doesn’t take their grades seriously, then it is doubtful they will want to be at A&M any longer than they possible have to. Yes, this system will help students who have screwed-up, but I think that most of us have been in at least one class where we got in over our heads and wish we’d done better. There should be no discouragements for wanting to retake a course and no penalization for wanting to “extend our education.” Overwhelming responses against this bill have been voiced from students who feel this will hurt them. However, this is only a very small portion of the student body. As I mentioned before, this is for the average Joe Aggie. If Kubiak’s bill passes, our University will be forced to adopt one of of the two options. Right now we have the chance to express our opinions before anything happens. Please, if you have any questions about statistics, ask. Student senators cannot express your opinions if they don’t know them. The student government office is on the first floor of the Koldus Building across from the MSC. Every senator has a mail box, and phone numbers are available upon request. Do not allow the Senate to vote on this issue with out commenting on how you feel about changing the grading policy. It is crucial that the Senate vote in the best inter est of the student body. Democracy only works when ideas are communicated. Erin Fitzgerald is a junior political science and English major Erin Fitzgerald Guest Columnist The Battalion Mark Smith Editor in chief Established in 1893 Editorials appearing in The Battalion reflect the views of the editorial board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other Battalion staff members, the Texas A&M student body, regents, administration, faculty or staff. Columns, guest columns, cartoons and letters express the opinions of the authors. Contact the opinion editor for information on submitting guest columns. Jay Robbins Heather Winch Senior Managing Managing editor editor for Business Sterling Hayman Opinion editor Erin Hill Asst, opinion editor EDITORIAL System Expansion The A&M System should use caution when acquiring new schools. Last Friday, the Texas A&M Uni versity System Board of Regents gave Chancellor Barry Thompson permission to file for legislation needed to acquire the East Texas State University Complex. This is the second institution this year to receive the Board’s approval for merger into the A&M System. Board member Billy Clay ton predicted that in the ture, there will only b two university systems in the state. Board Chair man Mary Nan West agreed, stating that A&M “better get the schools we want.” These and other state ments seemed to imply that the Texas A&M System and ****»»».„ the University of Texas System are in a race to acquire new schools. When considering expansion, the Board of Regents should place educa tion as its main priority. If the acqui sition of a new school will in any way jeopardize the System’s quality of ed ucation, then expansion should be stopped. The regents also should give heed to the fiscal practicality of such ac quisitions. Any new schools acquired should not place a greater financial burden on the System. According to a state audit report re leased earlier this year, Texas A&M al ready has financial management prob lems that need to be remedied. Expand ing the System is likely to add to those troubles. A&M should first solve its own problems before adopting those of other schools as well. Geography should also help decide whether to expand. Sys tem schools should be accessible statewide for both the University of Texas and A&M Systems. Any changes to the System should be well-thought out. The acquisitions of new schools to the System should be made only after the best methods for merger have been researched and the possible effects have been analyzed. The expansion of the A&M System is a very delicate process. Many benefits can be gained from such a move. How ever, it brings with it certain risks that must be recognized. A&M parking bill to return to Senate floor 2,000 space garage, renovations contained in proposed legislation O n March 9, the Campus Parking Im provements Bill will return to the floor of the Student Senate. Throughout this year, many students have expressed frustration with the park ing and safety situation on campus, and this bill is the Senate’s attempt to solve the parking problems students face daily. The Senate worked with PIT'S to develop several specific improvements to the situation. First, the Senate has called for the construction of a parking garage with at least 2,000 spaces. This garage would be located to the north of the Recreation Sports Center over what is now Parking Area 56, known as the-Fish Lot. This site has been chosen because of its accessibility from Wellborn Rd. and Joe Route Rd., the short distance to Kyle Field, the Rec Sports Center and the future Special Events Center. Further, this lot currently needs $800,000 in repairs, and building a garage on this site instead would save the Uni versity this expense. Second, the bill calls for the funding of 750 of the 1,500 park ing spaces in the Special Events Center parking lot. The Uni versity has only approved half of the proposed parking for the center, but we need all of the parking to help accommodate school parking and special events parking. Third, the bill calls for the improvement and expansion of the infrastructure for existing and new facOities on West cam pus — the streets, sidewalks, emergency phones and lighting around the Rec Sports Center, the Special Events Center and Olsen Field as well as many other improvements in infrastruc ture on West and main campus. The bill calls for the expansion of the Zachry parking lot. The proposal before the PTTS would increase the size of the parking area by 500 spaces, addressing the parking shortage in this area. In addition to these proposals, the bill also requests that the PITS address the need for more inexpensive parking for the Southside residence hall area. Further, the bill calls for the funding of the Library Parking Garage, slated for construction beginning this fall. These proposals show the attempts of the Student Sen ate and the PTTS to answer the requests to improve the J. D. Cole Guest Columnist parking situation on campus. These proposals will make parking more secure and more convenient for everyone. However, the improvements come with a price. The PIT'S can barely meet their current fiscal needs because permit fee schedules have not been updated for 10 years. As a result, it does not have the funds to make future neces sary improvements — even with the $50 tickets for illegaly parking in 30 minute zones. The PITS has proposed a number of fee schedule changes that would allow the University to implement the improve ments contained in the Campus Parking Improvements Bill in the Student Senate. In addition, the fee changes would allow the PTTS to ad dress any future problems with parking, transit and traffic issues. The proposed changes are as follows: Current Fee Proposed Fee Commuter student $55 $75 Faculty reserved $135 $200 Night permit $15 $35 Summer permit $20 $55 Garage (roof) $150 $180 Garage (inside) $200 $240 Garage (visitor) $.50/hour $.60/hour In addition to these changes, PIT’S has proposed some new alternatives to save students money on parking and transit: Twelve Month Commuter Student $100 — savings of $30 over commuter and summer permit Bus Pass with Night Permit $110 — savings of $35 over separate purchase of pass and permit Please contact your senators about the Campus Parking Improvements Bill. I believe that the proposals contained in this bill, if implemented, will greatly improve the park ing situation on campus. rJ.D. Cole is a senior history major AII call Students should be wary of Republicans cutting programs Ain’t this place great? Friday, Feb. 24, A&M welcomed home an old Ag as he announced his bid for the presidency. As a former professor at Texas A&M, what better place for “The Conservative” to make such an announcement? It’s the most conser vative campus in Texas. However, I would like to point out what the GOP is poised to do in the House Budget Committee while Phil Gramm is be ginning his campaign for president. For all of you out there on federally funded fi nancial aid, listen up. They want to cut federally- funded aid like the Stafford loan interest exemp tion, Perkins loans. Federal Work-Study and the Educational Opportunity Grant. Those of us who rely on these programs to make it through college are in big trouble. I have noticed that Phil Gramm has yet to specifically address this issue. Seeing that he has committed himself to cutting govern ment spending, I am very concerned what his elec tion would mean to me and other students in simi lar positions. Will he feel the need to back his par ty and cut government spending at the expense of the future of college students? I sincerely hope not. Audrey L. Allen. Class of ’9 7 Accompanied by 8 signatures Gramm protesters showed ignorance in front of media I’m writing in response to Jamie Treinen’s let ter on Feb. 28 which stated that College Republi cans should avoid hypocrisy. I’m so sorry Feb. 24 turned out to be a day that heightened her disre spect for Aggie Republicans, but apparently some don’t understand what the day was about. It was a great day in history because a great Texas leader came to a campus to announce his presidency. Phil Gramm gave a speech of hope, and regardless of party preference, a man of his caliber should be re spected. Some were pacing around during the cere monies disrepecting him with signs against his policies. During his speech, these people proceeded to yell and counteract his beliefs with their own. College Republicans were honored to lead the event and did everything possible to make our senator feel comfortable and welcomed. If Col lege Republicans would have let the derogatory remarks be heard, it would have only distracted and distressed Phil Gramm and take away from his time. Disrespecting a man of his caliber is not only ignorant, but inexcusable. Republicans were there to support him, and others were there disrespecting him to get media coverage. Sarah Lewis Class of ’98 The Battalion encourages letters to the editor and will print as many as space allows. Letters must be 300 words or less and include the author's name, class and phone number. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, style, clarity and accuracy. Letters may be submitted in person at 01 3 Reed McDonald. A valid student I.D. is required. Letters may also be mailed to: The Battalion - Mail Call Fax: (409) 845-2647 013 Reed McDonald E-mail: Batt@tamvm1.tamu.edu Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843-1 111