By Matt Fetinko

Online learning woes

Should CNC implement a pass/fail grading option for students

Apr 11, 2020 | 3:15 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Post-secondary institutions have been forced to do most or all of their lessons online. CNC is no different but one student is calling on the school to adjust how it grades students because of how the adjustment could affect their grades.

Quin Reimer, a student at CNC, does not believe the transition has been a smooth one for teachers and students. He’s calling on administration to implement a pass/fail option and has created a petition to gain support.

“The switch to online has been chaotic due to the big transition in the middle of the semester, the change in testing has been quite stressful and I’ve heard that from many different students,” explained Reimer. “The GPA hit could have a big impact on the futures of students in different programs.

“I am looking for the option for the pass/fail [system] like many other institutions across North American have introduced.”

School administration, however, is unlikely to shift their opinion. Chad Thompson, Vice President Academic, does not see the benefit of implementing that option.

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“Large number of our students transfer on to other universities to complete a degree or another credential and we want to ensure that the grade they take with them is going to be recognized at the other institution,” Thompson said. “We also have a very large number of students who are in an assortment of professional programs for which they must have a certain grade in every class in order to write a professional exam. Our biggest concern is not doing anything to disadvantage students as they go forward.”

Other institutions have explored how a pass/fail option could work for students in various different ways. Reimer said it needs to be explored because certain students’ futures could be drastically impacted depending on how they have handled the adversity through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The option of a late withdrawal has been made for CNC students. The spring semester is scheduled to end April 23.