SGA Resolution for Plus/Minus Grading
WHEREAS numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States are moving
away from a plus/minus grading system; and
WHEREAS the Faculty Senate at Wichita State University recommended and adopted a
plus minus grading system in 2008, where A would be worth a 4.0, an A- would be worth
a 3.7, a B+ would be worth a 3.3, a B would be worth a 3.0, a B-would be worth 2.7,
a C+ would be worth a 2.3, a C would be worth a 2.0, a C- would be worth a 1.7, a
D+ would be worth a 1.3, a D would be worth 1.0, a D- would be worth a 0.7 and an
F would be worth 0.0; and
WHEREAS “the mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational,
cultural, and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good;” and
WHEREAS the Strategic Plan of Wichita State goes on further in Goal 7 to say that
Wichita State should, “Create a new model of assessment, incentive, and reward process
to accomplish our vision and goals;” and
WHEREAS the plus/minus system puts Wichita State University at a disadvantage to
other Board of Regent Schools in the State which do not use the same grading method;
and
WHEREAS the implementation of the plus/minus system in 2008 was only approved by
one vote in faculty Senate; and
WHEREAS it is the duty of Student Government Association to represent student opinions
and concerns to the general university population and administration; and
WHEREAS after speaking with constituencies a majority of the student population at
Wichita State is opposed to the plus/minus grading system; and
WHEREAS grading should be subjective and the faculty should have the academic freedom
to decide on the grading scale used in their class; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the Student Government Association of Wichita State University
recommends the removal of the plus/minus grading system at Wichita State University;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Student Government Association of Wichita State University
requests the Faculty Senate and the Administration to consider the removal of the
plus/minus system at Wichita State University; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall be forwarded with respect to Dr.
John Bardo, President of the University; Dr. Eric Sexton, Vice President for Student
Affairs; Dr. Anthony J. Vizzini, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs;
Christine Schneikart-Luebbe, Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Dean
of Students; The Faculty Senate of Wichita State University; The Wichita Eagle, the
newspaper serving the Greater-Wichita Metropolitan area; and The Sunflower, the Student
Newspaper of Wichita State University.
APPROVED: 2nd Day of March, 2016
___________________________
Joseph Shepard
Student Body President
___________________________
Khondoker Usama
Student Body Vice President