health
University of Michigan to switch to pass/fail grades for first-semester students
School said it is pivoting away from letter-grading system to ‘curb the mental health crisis’ among college students
TL;DR
- University of Michigan will adopt a pass/fail grading system for first-semester students in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA).
- The goal is to address the mental health crisis among college students, reduce stress, and encourage collaboration over competition.
- This move follows a study indicating a decrease in depressive and anxiety symptoms among college students nationally.
- Other universities like Caltech, Swarthmore, Wellesley, and MIT are also exploring similar grading initiatives.
- The change occurs amid concerns about declining academic standards, grade inflation, and students' preparation deficits, particularly in STEM fields at institutions like UC Berkeley and UC San Diego.