Written By: Tierra Francois

Con:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Going through college and rightfully earning your degree is the best way to feel confident in life. Having something given to you is not always what is best. It’s better to work hard for something and cherish it rather than getting it easily and not caring too much about it.

Student government is proposing a change to the academic forgiveness policy at VSU. They are proposing that if you fail a class, retake it and make a higher grade, that grade should replace the failing grade on your transcript.

Though this may sound feasible, it does not reflect well on the student or the university. If a student was to take advantage of the revised policy, she may feel as though she would not have to try as hard to pass the class.

When the semester gets down to the wire, no one would feel pressure.

Students would all keep in mind that if they did not pass the class, they could always retake the class and have an “A” replace the “F” on their transcript. VSU would then be seen as a university that gives their students’ grades.

Along with the revision of the academic forgiveness policy, SGA also needs to think about the limitations. Would a student be able to fail and retake the class as many times as he or she wants until they get the replaceable grade they desire? If a student takes a class and fails it their freshman year can they decide later on in their junior year that they want to retake it?

The academic forgiveness policy can be a great policy if used properly. These policies are to help us as students, not handicap us and give us something that should be earned.

Written By: Mayah Cantave

Pro:

Academic forgiveness sounds like a gift from the heavens. Finally, a way for students to make up for past mistakes!

The idea of academic forgiveness seems too good to be true. Students might be able to change their grades completely.

In the past, if a student failed a class and retook it, the grades would get averaged together instead of replacing the grade all together. With all the money students pay for tuition, it is about time students have a way to control their grades.

There does not really seem to be any downfall to academic forgiveness. VSU will not lose any money because students still have to pay again to take the classes.

If there is a way for students to make up for bad grades, they should be given full access to it. This is a student’s way to redemption. Students will have a way to finally change their GPA.

The only group that might have an issue with academic forgiveness is teachers. The only problem is determining the parameters of who gets academic forgiveness. Do students who’ve already retaken classes get to use the final grade? Or will it continue to stay averaged out? Will all students be able to do this?

This is perfect for those who feel like they’re stuck and have no way of fixing their GPA. Hopefully, the program will be approved and a clean slate will be given for all students.