Dear Editor,

(in response to the March 20 editorial “Minus grades poorly planned) While the expression of concern about the variance in how professors will apply the newly-instituted “minus” grades is warranted, to some extent, I want to mention that there is no standardization across instructors, courses and colleges about the use of the “plus” grade that has been in existence for many, many years. In the university bulletin, the wording is that, “Each instructor has the option of using a grading method within each course that best meets the needs of students and the subject.”  In older, previous editions of the bulletin, the wording was something to the effect that the assignment of “plus” grades was at the discretion of the individual instructor. The same policy is, presumably, in effect for “minus” grades.  It will all work out and become part of the culture of the university, just as it is in most other universities in this country.

Sincerely,
Evan L. Zucker
professor, psychology department
[email protected]