Recognizing the challenges and concerns faced by their fellow students under the distance learning set-up amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the San Beda Student Council (SBSC) produced a list of policy recommendations.
The SBSC, on its Facebook page, posted on April 14 a list of recommendations that aims to help their fellow students who are having difficulties at this time. “We request for your support in pursuing the implementation of these policies,” the council said.
LOOK:
Among the policy recommendations include changes in the grading system - particularly the implementation of a “No Failing Grade Policy” - noting that many students “have reported they received failing and unreasonable grades this academic year.”
Instead of giving failed grades, the council said that “students who failed to comply with requirements may be given a mark of incomplete (INC)” so they do not need to re-enroll in the said subject which may “further add to the financial struggle” of their families.
The council is also calling for the “removal of attendance in class standing” - considering that there are some students who are unable to attend classes due to various circumstances.
Among the recommendations is to for professors to set limitation for requirements to prevent “unreasonable workload” which has been causing “too much stress on students.”
Setting of “open deadlines” was also recommended to lessen the “pressure to the students” as they will be given ample time to comply with the academic requirements.
They also sought open deadlines so that students will have enough time to comply with requirements. A “Consult First” policy was also recommended wherein professors can discuss first with the students before they set a deadline.
The SBSC is the governing body of the college and is the duly constituted body representing the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) studentry.
“We hope that every Bedan is well during this difficult time, as the number of COVID-19 cases increase and the mental strain we face gets tougher each day,” the highest-ranking and policy-making body of the students of the CAS added.