I’m writing to complain about the implementation of a new, flawed policy at NIU. After having worked very hard for two classes in the School of Music so that I was certain of an “A” grade in both, I was dismayed to see my grade report reflect grades of “S” (satisfactory) instead. These were both for graduate credit hours and so count on my GPA calculation. My advisor then informed me that a policy had been changed some time during the fall term so that any courses taken out of one’s major area were to be considered “Independent Study” and were to be graded only with the “S” system and no letter grades are to be used anymore. He says there is nothing that can be done about this. I find this completely unacceptable. As a graduate student, I have to juggle and prioritize my time carefully and might have made different decisions if I knew I just had to worry about an “S.” I should have been told of this before I made my registration decisions, or as soon in the term as the decision was made, and not after I had already made the extra effort and the term was over. Additionally, I don’t understand why NIU would want to diminish its students transcripts this way. It is possible I may end up seeking a teaching position at a community college where I would like to be able to demonstrate I was a top student in these classes, which may be in an area that I will teach. An “S” is far less convincing of my ability to teach this material. I paid the full fee for these courses and worked with the understanding that I would get full value for my money and effort. Being robbed “after the fact” of this full value seems unfair, and I think an investigation should be done of how this policy has been implemented. Those impacted during the fall term should be allowed to request a letter grade, as was expected.

Karen Patton
graduate

All comments are moderated before being published. We will not edit your comments, but we also will not approve those that are abusive, off-topic, attack another poster or contain information we know to be libelous or false.

During peak weekday viewing times, most comments will be reviewed within six hours. For more detailed information, click here.

After submitting your comment, check below for a confirmation message.

• Your name:
• Enter text from image:
  

• Your comment:

* 300-character count. HTML formatting will not display.