Chancellor Carol Christ hosted a Reddit AMA on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. (UC Berkeley photo by Yvonne Edwards)
UC furfling Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ took concerns on sets from pass/no pass grade needs, tuition refunds and springtime break, to her response to this year’s dual Nobel reward win whenever she sat straight straight down on Tuesday for the Ask me personally any such thing on Reddit .
below are a few highlights that are AMASome concerns had been reduced for size and quality):
Concern from bustedlame : is there conversations or ideas of modifying the optional P/NP technique to one thing more restricted like enabling (one) major requirement to be P/NP, or something like that comparable? It appears in my experience that the complete P/NP strategy is extremely modifiable in a fashion that will give pupils who’re highly relying on remote learning the breathing space this is certainly necessary , you guys considering any limited or modified version of the P/NP policy for the semester… I n short, are?
Chancellor Christ : many thanks for the concern. I am aware this will be an extremely topic that is hot our pupils, therefore I’m maybe maybe maybe not astonished that this is actually the top subject with this AMA.
To start, we notice that pupils are dealing with unprecedented challenges in this extraordinary some time wish to accomplish any such thing we could to greatly help relieve the responsibility. Having said that, P/NP needs aren’t a simple problem, nor one thing I am able to manage by fiat.
The University of Ca includes a tradition that is long-standing of governance that numerous would argue has added to its extraordinary success. As a result, the authority to create modifications to P/NP demands are delegated through the college and also the campus. Some facets of the P/NP policy are set because of the systemwide senate that is academic. Other people are in the range associated with Berkeley unit associated with Academic Senate. Other people are set because of the faculty associated with educational schools and universities.
You will find four fundamental aspects to our P/NP policy — the limitation in the amount of total devices that may be taken P/NP, the limitation that major demands may not be taken P/NP, the limitation that prerequisites for majors can’t be taken P/NP, and also the due date through which a program may be switched from graded status to P/NP. The very first of the components of the insurance policy is underneath the control over the systemwide Senate. One other three sleep inside the authority associated with the schools and universities. L&S has recently made the due date for switching to P/NP much later — moved it till December; we’re motivating other universities to take into account such an alteration.
Take into account that you’ve got a range that is wide of to cut back your educational anxiety. You can easily currently use up to 33per cent of one’s graduation needs P/NP (and final semester’s courses don’t count from this total). Most UC Berkeley pupils are using more devices you may want to consider reducing your course load than they need to. Along with your division and university advisors are there any to assist you: they usually have considerable latitude to give exemptions to P/NP limits — for major needs, for instance.
I am aware this might be a rather stressful time; We encourage one to utilize the latitude you have got in going classes to P/NP or asking your consultant for the exclusion.
Concern from bee5sea6 : what is happening with springtime break 2021? When you look at the study, it had been recommended it almost completely that you were considering getting rid of. Whenever can any updates are expected by us on that choice, and just how really is the fact that choice really being taken?
Chancellor Christ we realize that the pandemic is hugely troublesome to pupils and their own families, therefore we like to accommodate students as well we are able to. Berkeley has refunded housing and dining fees for people who left college housing this previous springtime. We have been attempting to help all pupils, no matter where they elect to live, including through school funding and pupil solutions to meet up both in-person and learning that is remote residing requires. Crisis financing and expense of attendance modifications (through our school funding and Scholarships workplace) can be acquired to help specific pupils dealing with hardship that is financial. And when a students’ families’ financial circumstances have substantially changed within the last couple of months, they need to contact our aid that is financial office we are going to cause them to become getting all help which is why they’ve been qualified.
Because each individual’s situation is unique, we encourage pupils who’re facing significant challenges to speak with their consultant for more information about resources and choices offered to them.
Concern from sprucegoose11 : Chancellor Christ: I’d want to hear some plans that are concrete rehabilitating the admissions procedure to ensure that under-qualified pupils can’t just purchase their method into this college. Exactly what are some concrete actions being being taken?
Chancellor Christ : Our admissions procedure is dependant on a holistic report about every applicant, looking not merely at test grades and ratings, but additionally at students’ achievements into the context of these possibilities, challenges, and status that is socioeconomic. Our admissions that are current is sound and reflects lots of significant improvements built in modern times. Within the last few admissions period, we admitted a more ethnically diverse course and admitted more lower-income pupils. Admitting an exceptional class that is additionally diverse, showing a cross-section of California’s communities, is a vital facet of our objective as a college.