Prof lets students choose own grades for 'stress reduction

[Mike Mercury]

this is not from the Onion...

A University of Georgia professor has adopted a “stress reduction policy” that will allow students to select their own grades if they “feel unduly stressed” by the ones they earned.

Similarly, students who feel stressed by "group dynamics" are allowed to walk away from their groups without explanation, and will only be graded on "non-group work."

A University of Georgia professor has adopted a “stress reduction policy” that will allow students to select their own grades if they “feel unduly stressed” by the ones they earned.

According to online course syllabi for two of Dr. Richard Watson’s fall business courses, he has introduced the policy because “emotional reactions to stressful situations can have profound consequences for all involved.”

As such, if students feel “unduly stressed by a grade for any assessable material or the overall course,” they can “email the instructor indicating what grade [they] think is appropriate, and it will be so changed” with “no explanation” being required.

“If in a group meeting, you feel stressed by your group’s dynamics, you should leave the meeting immediately and need offer no explanation to the group members,” the policy adds, saying such students can “discontinue all further group work” with their remaining grade being “based totally on non-group work.”

Similarly, when it comes to “tests and exams” for Watson’s “Data Management” and “Energy Informatics” courses, all will be “open book and open notes” and “designed to assess low level mastery of the course material.”

Finally, for in-class presentations, Watson will allow “only positive comments” to be made, while “comments designed to improve future presentations will be communicated by email.”

Watson, notably, does concede that “while this policy might hinder the development of group skills and mastery of the class material,” those outcomes are ultimately a student’s “responsibility,” though he promises to “provide every opportunity for [students] to gain high level mastery.”

Campus Reform reached out to Watson—a “Regents Professor” at the university, a title “bestowed by the Board of Regents on truly distinguished faculty”—but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Prof lets students choose own grades for 'stress reduction'

[MrPeabody]

Next logical step would be to fire the professor and just let the students run the class. Wouldn't make much difference under these rules.

[VatorMan]

It never mentioned what class he taught. I doubt it was engineering related.

[Mike Mercury]

[VITE1]

Originally Posted by VatorMan

It never mentioned what class he taught. I doubt it was engineering related.

Business from the OP:

According to online course syllabi for two of Dr. Richard Watson’s fall business courses, he has introduced the policy because “emotional reactions to stressful situations can have profound consequences for all involved.”

And we wonder why the Chinese are kicking our butt.

[Ol Timer]

Originally Posted by VatorMan

It never mentioned what class he taught. I doubt it was engineering related.

Hopefully not in their school of medicine, either.

[99 pewtercoupe]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

this is not from the Onion...

A University of Georgia professor has adopted a “stress reduction policy” that will allow students to select their own grades if they “feel unduly stressed” by the ones they earned.

Similarly, students who feel stressed by "group dynamics" are allowed to walk away from their groups without explanation, and will only be graded on "non-group work."

A University of Georgia professor has adopted a “stress reduction policy” that will allow students to select their own grades if they “feel unduly stressed” by the ones they earned.

According to online course syllabi for two of Dr. Richard Watson’s fall business courses, he has introduced the policy because “emotional reactions to stressful situations can have profound consequences for all involved.”

As such, if students feel “unduly stressed by a grade for any assessable material or the overall course,” they can “email the instructor indicating what grade [they] think is appropriate, and it will be so changed” with “no explanation” being required.

“If in a group meeting, you feel stressed by your group’s dynamics, you should leave the meeting immediately and need offer no explanation to the group members,” the policy adds, saying such students can “discontinue all further group work” with their remaining grade being “based totally on non-group work.”

Similarly, when it comes to “tests and exams” for Watson’s “Data Management” and “Energy Informatics” courses, all will be “open book and open notes” and “designed to assess low level mastery of the course material.”

Finally, for in-class presentations, Watson will allow “only positive comments” to be made, while “comments designed to improve future presentations will be communicated by email.”

Watson, notably, does concede that “while this policy might hinder the development of group skills and mastery of the class material,” those outcomes are ultimately a student’s “responsibility,” though he promises to “provide every opportunity for [students] to gain high level mastery.”

Campus Reform reached out to Watson—a “Regents Professor” at the university, a title “bestowed by the Board of Regents on truly distinguished faculty”—but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Prof lets students choose own grades for 'stress reduction'

“designed to assess low level mastery of the course material.” Well he has that right

[Sea Six]

That shit wouldn't fly at Auburn, I guaran-gYAT-danged-TEE-ya.

[Mike Mercury]

"According to online course syllabi for two of Dr. Richard Watson’s fall business courses"

[69camfrk]

Originally Posted by Sea Six

That shit wouldn't fly at Auburn, I guaran-gYAT-danged-TEE-ya.

I doubt it is going to fly very long at Ga either.... What a nimrod.

[ft laud mike]

So, what do these fine pieces of molded shit do when they are placed into a job where...they have stress?

[OddBall]

I wish my boss subscribed to that idea, so that I could choose my own pay-grade.
My current pay-grade is stressing the shit out of me.

[mrvette]

Who in hell CARES?? 80% of the college degrees are not worth the paper they printed on, but they sure as HELL want the damn $$$$ for teaching that crap.....

[RedLS1GTO]

this policy might hinder the development of group skills and mastery of the class material

Wow. Just... wow.

Originally Posted by VatorMan

It never mentioned what class he taught. I doubt it was engineering related.

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

... two of Dr. Richard Watson’s fall business courses,

...when it comes to “tests and exams” for Watson’s “Data Management” and “Energy Informatics” courses

[snide]

Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO

Reading is fundamental, comprehension is apparently optional.

[6spdC6]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

this is not from the Onion...

A University of Georgia professor has adopted a “stress reduction policy” that will allow students to select their own grades if they “feel unduly stressed” by the ones they earned.

Similarly, students who feel stressed by "group dynamics" are allowed to walk away from their groups without explanation, and will only be graded on "non-group work."

A University of Georgia professor has adopted a “stress reduction policy” that will allow students to select their own grades if they “feel unduly stressed” by the ones they earned.

According to online course syllabi for two of Dr. Richard Watson’s fall business courses, he has introduced the policy because “emotional reactions to stressful situations can have profound consequences for all involved.”

As such, if students feel “unduly stressed by a grade for any assessable material or the overall course,” they can “email the instructor indicating what grade [they] think is appropriate, and it will be so changed” with “no explanation” being required.

“If in a group meeting, you feel stressed by your group’s dynamics, you should leave the meeting immediately and need offer no explanation to the group members,” the policy adds, saying such students can “discontinue all further group work” with their remaining grade being “based totally on non-group work.”

Similarly, when it comes to “tests and exams” for Watson’s “Data Management” and “Energy Informatics” courses, all will be “open book and open notes” and “designed to assess low level mastery of the course material.”

Finally, for in-class presentations, Watson will allow “only positive comments” to be made, while “comments designed to improve future presentations will be communicated by email.”

Watson, notably, does concede that “while this policy might hinder the development of group skills and mastery of the class material,” those outcomes are ultimately a student’s “responsibility,” though he promises to “provide every opportunity for [students] to gain high level mastery.”

Campus Reform reached out to Watson—a “Regents Professor” at the university, a title “bestowed by the Board of Regents on truly distinguished faculty”—but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Prof lets students choose own grades for 'stress reduction'

This sounds like a godsend for the affirmative action crew.

[erickpl]

Free education + assigning your own grades...

Waiting for incoming freshmen off the street to say, "Yeah, I'll just take the 4.00 GPA... and I don't need a receipt or anything since I didn't pay for anything. Now where's my degree, biches?!"

[99 pewtercoupe]

Evidently the university did not agree with the professor's way of thinking

https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=9558


Terry College of Business Dean Benjamin Ayers has since released a statement on the matter, calling Watson's policy "an ill-advised proposal" that "will not be implemented in any Terry classroom."

"The syllabus stated that his grading policy would allow students inappropriate input into the assignment of their own grades. I want you to know that the syllabus did not conform with the university's rigorous expectations and policy regarding academic standards for grading," Ayers added, noting that he has "explained this discrepancy to the professor" who "has removed the statement from his syllabus."

"Rest assured that this ill-advised proposal will not be implemented in any Terry classroom," he concluded. "The University of Georgia upholds strict guidelines and academic policies to promote a culture of academic rigor, integrity, and honesty."

I guess there may be some traces of sanity left in academia