New Grading Policy, Commencement, Summer Classes, CUNY Fund (Rundown of the Last Two Weeks)

   With the rescheduled spring break coming to a close and classes resuming this week, Brooklyn College has enacted a number of changes that will affect students going forward. Here is everything that has happened over the past two weeks.   

    In an email from the CUNY Chancellor’s office that went out Wednesday, March 25th, students were informed of a new grading policy for the remainder of the semester. The policy is designed to give students the choice whether or not to receive credit for courses they’ve taken. “All students shall have the option to convert any or all of the (A-F) letter grades they earn in their classes, during the spring 2020, to Credit/No Credit grading,” the new policy states. 

   This new policy, designed to accommodate students who are struggling during the transition to online classes, does not stipulate any refunds for the courses in question. This policy is targeted strictly at the students’ concern over maintaining grade averages that could be at stake because of the transition.

   Following the news about the new grading policy, students were informed through another email from  President Michelle Anderson that all CUNY Spring Commencement ceremonies will be postponed. 

   “Rest assured, Brooklyn College will confer all degrees as regularly scheduled. However, the diploma itself will not soothe the pain of not being able to celebrate in person,” wrote Anderson on Monday, April 6. This announcement was coupled with an assurance that the Senior Class Gift Committee will “assess options for an alternative celebration for May 28.” A week since this news, there is still no word as to what the alternative celebration will look like. 

   In the same announcement that CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez informed the student body that Spring Commencement would be postponed, he also gave an update on Summer 2020 classes. 

   “I also want to share that after careful consideration and consultation, CUNY’s Summer 2020 course offerings will be exclusively conducted via distance education format,” wrote Rodríguez. The decision is in accordance with the New York State Education Department’s April 2nd update which extends approval for all online courses, which are still not officially registered as such, through Summer 2020. 

   A final piece of news is the launch of another CUNY wide initiative that extends relief to students who are in urgent need in the midst of COVID-19. $1 Million donations from the James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation as well as the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation kickstarted the fund. An additional $1.25 million was compiled through donations from the Robin Hood Relief Fund and a number of other donors. 

   “Students will begin receiving emergency grants of $500 each the week of April 20. The recipients will be chosen by lottery from a group of about 14,000 students who have been identified as meeting financial-need and academic criteria.” CUNY hopes to reach more students if they are able to obtain more funding. 

   It was also announced on Monday April 13, that the Undergraduate Student Government election will be continuing online via BC Webcentral on May 4 through May 6.