Since the outbreak of COVID-19 across North America several weeks ago, an era of uncertainty is beginning to form across the country. From major events like the Olympics, Roland Garros and Ultra Music Festival postponing/canceling, to events that hit more close-to-home, such as college commencements, no one knows what will unfold in the coming months.
One of the more universal changes in the wake of COVID-19 is the cancellation of all in-person classes at colleges and universities, leading to a switch to online classrooms through the use of Zoom. However, the transition to Zoom can be frustrating for many professors and students alike.
Senior sociology major Francesca Napolitano decided to launch a petition on Facebook last week to try and persuade Quinnipiac University to allow students the option to make their classes pass/fail due to the struggle of not having face-to-face classes for the remainder of the semester.
“I first decided to write the petition on March 16 after talking to my sister who is currently quarantined in Italy,” Napolitano said. “I was stressing to her about having to do my last semester completely online. She had mentioned that other schools, like Fordham University where she did her undergrad, were petitioning to make certain courses have a pass/fail option.”
She thought it was a smart idea, and posted a petition for Quinnipiac to do the same on change.org, hoping it would get enough signatures to send to the administration.
So far, Napolitano’s petition has received over 2,100 signatures, with more coming in every day. Napolitano’s message that online classes do not provide an adequate enough learning environment is seemingly resonating with a multitude of students.
“A major adjustment has been made to the way we are learning, so a major adjustment needs to be made to the way we are being graded. It is not fair for a multitude of students to be expected to be graded on their performance in online classes to the same standard as a face-to-face class. It is simply unrealistic”, Napolitano said. “The online classes do not provide that same type of learning environment. Not to mention, there are difficulties it presents for international students, or students in a different time zone and those that require learning accommodations. There are things available online to help those with learning difficulties but it still is not the same or as good as being in person, on-campus”, Napolitano said.”
Napolitano’s idea has already been implemented at several universities across the country. One of those schools is fairly close to Quinnipiac at Sacred Heart University. Deborah Noack, the Executive Director of Communications for Sacred Heart, came to the same conclusion and Napolitano.
“Because the coronavirus epidemic has necessitated that our students complete the spring semester online, and because some students find online learning more challenging, we made the decision last week to broaden our pass/fail policy for the spring 2020 semester. Students have the option to take any undergraduate courses pass/fail. Courses taken pass/fail this semester do not count toward program maximums for pass/fail,” Noack said.
Another petition circling around is one to postpone this May’s commencement ceremony, rather than having it canceled. The petition, started by Cristina Trainer, a Quinnipiac University parent, so far has gained over 1,200 signatures. Unfortunately, Trainer could not be reached for questions at this time.
Overall, the ongoing rise of cancellations due to COVID-19 is going to lead to a rise of outcry and petitions by people to not cancel or suspend events. Whether they be concert goers, sports fans or college students, the rise to protect self-interests is only just beginning in this time of uncertainty.