Students who responded to a recent SGA sponsored opinion poll about implementation of a plus/minus grading system indicated they were unwilling to switch.

Before an official decision is made, every school at Loyola is to make a recommendation by a vote signifying its approval or disapproval of the system. So far, all of the schools except City College and College of Arts and Sciences have voted for implementation of the system in the spring of 2003, according to Bobby Hjorstberg, SGA president of College of Arts and Sciences.

The College of Arts and Sciences has decided to table the vote and ask the opinion of the student body, said Hjorstberg, Hjorstberg asked SGA to conduct an opinion poll to “assist in making it known how the student body feels about the plus/minus system,” according to the SGA opinion poll report.

He said the opinion poll had a large turnout (refer to plus/minus opinion poll results graph). The results show that 77 percent of Loyola students oppose implementation of the new system versus 23 percent who support it.

The opinion poll was taken on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week in front of the Danna Center. According to Hjorstberg, poll representatives answered questions concerning the proposed plus/minus system objectively and to the best of their knowledge. The plus/minus opinion poll asked students to state their school, their opinion about the possible new grading system and other possible comments that they may have.

So what is so different about the proposed grade system? Here is an example: under the current system a student who makes a grade of 80 percent will receive 3.0 grade points. A student who makes a “B+” would receive a 3.5 GPA which would still earn that student a spot on the Dean’s List (GPA at or above 3.5). Under the proposed plus/minus grade system, the student who makes a grade of 80 percent will receive a 2.7 GPA; the student with a grade of “B+” would receive 3.3 GPA, eliminating any hopes of getting onto the Dean’s List.

Students such as Dave Hayes, communications freshman, have their own opinions about the proposed plus/minus grading system. “I believe in that system,” said Hayes.

Ana Christina Diaz, communications senior, has a similar point of view. “I agree with the system because it would make students work harder,” said Diaz.

Justin Weber, business freshman, takes the opposite stance. “I’m against it because it’s going to make our grades appear worse,” he said.

Liz Reynolds, communications senior, defends the current system. “I think it is more generous for students who work hard but just can’t make the grade.”

The Arts and Sciences College Assembly meeting will take place on Nov. 21. Faculty members will discuss the issue, vote and send a recommendation to the Office of the Provost.

Students who would like to express their opinions about plus/minus grade system can go to the SGA web site and click on the “student feedback” link. The address of the SGA Web site is www.loyno.edu/sga.