September 17, 2006                                                               65LCR#9 - Grade Inflation

 

University of Colorado Student Union

Legislative Council

 

Sponsored by:                        Jessica Bralish                                     Journalism Co-Senator

 

Authored by:              Jessica Bralish                                     Journalism Co-Senator

 

A RESOLUTION

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RESOLUTION HISTORY

 

University of Colorado President Hank Brown and CU Regents have recently begun to tackle the issue of grade inflation at CU.  The average CU grade-point average has gone from 2.87 to 2.99 between the 1993-2004 academic years.  In a September 15, 2006 memorandum to the CU Board of Regents, President Brown writes:  “Faculty may find themselves in a difficult spot when awarding grades.  Student evaluations of faculty and other pressures make evaluating students’ performance challenging.”  To combat the apparent grade inflation, the President suggests tracking class rank.  He provided several models for the Regents to consider at their September board meeting.  All models advocate for the disclosure of class rank in some form (appendix A).  The matter has since been referred to an academic committee for review. 

RESOLUTION SUMMARY

 

The University of Colorado Student Union does not recognize grade inflation as a looming issue at the University of Colorado.   However, we do believe it is necessary to continually study grade inflation since it has burdened peer institutes.  UCSU supports the maintenance of a rigorous learning environment.  However, we reject ‘class rank’ as an effective means to maintain such environment.  _______________________________________________________________________

WHEREAS: The average CU-Boulder grade-point average has gone from 2.87 to 2.99 between the 1993-2004 academic years.  

WHEREAS: The average CCHE index score of incoming CU-Boulder freshman has gone from 113.3 to 115.8 between the 1993-2003 academic years. 

WHEREAS:  Undergraduates at CU-Boulder may choose from a variety of courses to complete their major and general requirements.  Students may even choose to take honors courses or courses outside of their individual college or school, etc. 

WHEREAS: Faculty Course Questionnaires (FCQs) are filled out by students prior to completing the course and being awarded the final course grade.  This process is done to alleviate pressures faculty may have from the students. 

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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislative Council of the University of Colorado Student Union, THAT:

 

Section 1: The students at the University of Colorado at Boulder believe that grades should primarily be awarded with consideration of individual mastery of a course subject. 

 

Section 2: The students at the University of Colorado at Boulder recognize that there may be mitigating factors that determine the average grade for a course, such as exemplary teaching or above average intellect from the students. 

 

Section 3:  The students at the University of Colorado at Boulder caution that tracking class rank for individual courses, departments, or majors may pressure faculty to reach grade quotas, rather than awarding grades based on merit. 

 

Section 4:  The students at the University of Colorado at Boulder reject the notion that faculty are pressured to award higher grades because of student evaluations (FCQs). 

 

Section 5:  The students at the University of Colorado at Boulder recognize that the slight rise in grade-point averages has been accompanied by a rise in CCHE index scores.  The students believe that this shows an emergence of more competitive and qualified students at CU-Boulder. 

 

Section 6:  The students at the University of Colorado at Boulder believe that each undergraduate (even within the same major) has a unique learning experience that cannot be conveyed through class rank.  Any given undergraduate may choose to take a diverse range of electives or become an honors student, for example.

 

Section 7:  The students at the University of Colorado at Boulder want to maintain an academically vigorous environment.  We believe the best way to maintain such environment is to have department chairs and faculty regularly review course materials.  The students at the University of Colorado at Boulder wish to assemble a committee on academic rigor with the participation of the University of Colorado Board of Regents and CU-System President Hank Brown.

 

Section 8:  Upon passage, this resolution will be sent to the University of Colorado Board of Regents, CU-System President Hank Brown, CU-Boulder Chancellor Peterson, CU-Boulder faculty governance leaders, and any other parties requesting said resolution. 

 

 

Section 9:  This resolution takes effect upon passage of second reading by UCSU Legislative Council and upon obtaining the signatures of the Council President and Tri-Executives. 

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                                                            Vote Count

9/21/06                                       Passed                                                Acclamation

9/28/06                                       Passed                                                   12-3-0

 

 

 

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Joseph Martinez, Legislative Council President    Andrew Aitchison, Tri-executive

 

 

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Ashley Nakagawa, Tri-executive                        Charles Johnson, Tri-executive