ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, April 14, 1997 TAG: 9704140097
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NORFOLK
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
The idea is to keep struggling freshmen off academic probation and in college.
Old Dominion University is considering giving students who do poorly in a course the chance to take the class again and expunge the first - and presumably inferior - grade from their grade-point average.
The proposal, endorsed by the Faculty Senate's subcommittee on undergraduate studies, is one of several aimed at reducing the academic probation rate of freshman, which school officials say is about 40 percent.
``I have become convinced that this would keep some number of students in school,'' said William A. Drewry, chairman of both the Faculty Senate and the civil and environmental engineering department. ``They could get on with their lives rather than getting into more trouble.''
The proposal, already being used at schools such as Norfolk State University and Virginia Wesleyan College, would allow students to retake up to three classes. Their second grade, better or worse, would replace the first on their GPA. Both would still be part of their transcripts.
ODU administrators support the plan, which could come before the full Senate Tuesday. If the Senate approves it, the university could enact the policy as soon as the fall, said Jo Ann Gora, the school's provost.
``What we want to do is encourage students to learn, not punish them when they don't learn,'' Gora said. ``It says to the student, `If you didn't learn this material first time around, you can take this over again.'''
Teachers and students have had mixed reactions, with critics saying the plan would discriminate against students who do well the first time.
``I think it would be unfair to students who work hard and always do extra to keep their grades up,'' said Kerri Theodorakis, 18, a freshman.
Nancy Wade, an associate professor of biology, agreed.
``I have a problem with people making an A or a B on the first go-round getting the same GPA as the person who does it on the second go-round,'' she said. ``The person who does it the first time certainly has more intrinsic talent than the person who does it the second time.''
Wade said she also is concerned that low-income students would be at a disadvantage, because they would be less capable of retaking courses.
Randy Stephens, a 35-year-old English major, said he wishes the policy could have helped him as he has struggled to adjust from work to college.
``To me, it shows perseverance that you took it again and did better,'' he said. ``Isn't that one of the aspects that you're supposed to get out of college?''
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB