Chancellor Carol Christ hosted a Reddit AMA on Oct. 20, 2020 tuesday. (UC Berkeley photo by Yvonne Edwards)
UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ took concerns on sets from pass/no pass grade demands, tuition refunds and springtime break, to her response to this year’s Nobel that is double prize whenever she sat straight straight down on Tuesday for an Ask me personally such a thing on Reddit .
below are a few AMA shows (Some concerns had been reduced for size and quality):
Concern from bustedlame : Are there any conversations or ideas of changing the optional P/NP technique to one thing more restricted like permitting (one) major requirement to be P/NP, or something like that comparable? This indicates if you ask me that the complete P/NP strategy is extremely modifiable in a manner that would provide pupils that are highly influenced by remote learning the breathing space this is certainly necessary , … we n brief, have you been dudes considering any restricted or modified form of the P/NP policy for the semester?
Chancellor Christ : many thanks for the concern. I understand that is a really topic that is hot our pupils, therefore I’m maybe maybe not amazed that this is basically the most widely used subject of this AMA.
To start, we notice that pupils are dealing with unprecedented challenges in this extraordinary some time might like to do any such thing we could to simply help relieve the duty. Having said that, P/NP demands aren’t a simple problem, nor one thing I am able to control by fiat.
The University of Ca includes a tradition that is long-standing of governance that numerous would argue has added to its extraordinary success. As a result, the authority to create modifications to P/NP needs are delegated through the college while the campus. Some components of the P/NP policy are set because of the systemwide senate that is academic. Other people are inside the range associated with the Berkeley unit for the Academic Senate. Others are set by the faculty of this schools and universities.
You will find four aspects that are basic our P/NP policy — the limitation from the quantity of total devices that may be taken P/NP, the limitation that major demands can’t be taken P/NP, the limitation that prerequisites for majors can’t be taken P/NP, additionally the due date through which a training course could be switched from graded status to P/NP. Initial among these components of the insurance policy is beneath the control over the systemwide Senate. One other three sleep inside the authority for the schools and universities. L&S has made the deadline for switching to P/NP much later — moved it till we’re encouraging other colleges to consider such a change december.
Take into account that you’ve got a range that is wide of to lessen your scholastic anxiety. You are able to currently use up to 33per cent of one’s graduation needs P/NP (and semester’s that is last don’t count from this total). Most UC Berkeley pupils are using more devices than they must; you might want to think about lowering your program load. Along with your division and university advisors is there to assist you: they will have considerable latitude to give exemptions to P/NP limits — for major needs, for instance.
I am aware this might be a really time that is stressful We encourage you to definitely make use of the latitude you’ve got in going classes to P/NP or asking your consultant for the exclusion.
Concern from bee5sea6 : what is happening with springtime break 2021? Within the survey, it had been recommended which you had been considering getting rid from it very nearly entirely. Whenever can we expect any updates on that choice, and just how really is choice really being taken?
Chancellor Christ we realize that the pandemic was hugely troublesome to pupils and their loved ones, and now we wish to accommodate students as well we can. Berkeley has refunded housing and dining charges for people who left college housing this spring that is past. We have been trying to help all pupils, no matter where they decide to live, including through educational funding and pupil solutions to fulfill both in-person and learning that is remote residing requires. Crisis financing and value of attendance modifications (through our educational funding and Scholarships workplace) can be obtained to aid specific pupils facing monetaray hardship. If a students’ families’ financial circumstances have substantially changed within the last few month or two, they need to contact our educational funding workplace and we shall cause them to become getting all help which is why these are typically qualified.
Because each situation that is individual’s unique, we encourage pupils who will be dealing with significant challenges to keep in touch with their consultant for more information on resources and choices accessible to them.
Concern from sprucegoose11 : Chancellor Christ: I’d want to hear some tangible plans for rehabilitating the admissions procedure to ensure under-qualified pupils can’t just purchase their means into this college. What exactly are some concrete actions which are being taken?
Chancellor Christ : Our admissions procedure is dependant on a holistic overview of every applicant, looking not merely at test grades and ratings, but additionally at students’ achievements into the context of these possibilities, challenges, and status that is socioeconomic. Our admissions that are current is sound and reflects lots of significant improvements manufactured in modern times. Within the last few admissions period, we admitted an infinitely more ethnically diverse course and admitted more lower-income pupils. Admitting a exceptional class that is additionally diverse, showing a cross-section of California’s communities, is a vital part of our objective as a college.