Chancellor Carol Christ hosted a Reddit AMA on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. (UC Berkeley photo by Yvonne Edwards)
UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ took concerns on anything 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 straight down on Tuesday for an Ask me personally such a thing on Reddit .
below are a few AMA features (Some concerns had been reduced for size and clarity):
Concern from bustedlame : is there 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? It appears if you ask me that the complete P/NP strategy is extremely modifiable in a fashion that would offer pupils who will be highly influenced by remote learning the breathing space that is necessary , you guys considering any limited or modified version of the P/NP policy for the semester… I n short, are?
Chancellor Christ : many thanks for the concern. I am aware this might be a rather topic that is hot our pupils, therefore I’m maybe maybe maybe not astonished that this is basically the most widely used subject of the AMA.
To start, we notice that pupils are dealing with unprecedented challenges in this time that is extraordinary might like to do such a thing we could to aid relieve the duty. Having said that, P/NP demands aren’t a simple problem, nor one thing I am able to manage 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 help make modifications to P/NP demands bookofsex are delegated through the entire college in addition to campus. Some areas of the P/NP policy are set because of the systemwide senate that is academic. Other people are in the range associated with Berkeley unit regarding the Academic Senate. Other people are set by the faculty associated with the schools and universities.
You can find four fundamental aspects to our P/NP policy — the limitation in the quantity of total devices which can be taken P/NP, the limitation that major demands can not be taken P/NP, the limitation that prerequisites for majors can’t be taken P/NP, as well as the due date in which a training course may be switched from graded status to P/NP. The initial of those components of the insurance policy is underneath the control of the systemwide Senate. One other three remainder in the authority of this schools and universities. L&S has recently made the due date for switching to P/NP much later — moved it till we’re encouraging other colleges to consider such a change december.
Remember that you’ve got a range that is wide of to cut back your scholastic anxiety. You are able to currently use up to 33per cent of the graduation demands P/NP (and semester’s that is last don’t count from this total). Most UC Berkeley pupils are using more devices you may want to consider reducing your course load than they need to. Along with your college and department advisors are there any to assist you: they usually have considerable latitude to give exemptions to P/NP restrictions — for major needs, for instance.
I understand this is certainly a really stressful time; 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 study, it had been recommended which you had been considering getting rid from it nearly totally. Whenever can we expect any updates on that choice, and exactly how really is choice really being taken?
Chancellor Christ we realize that the pandemic was hugely troublesome to pupils and their own families, and then we would you like to accommodate students as well we are able to. Berkeley has refunded housing and dining charges for people who left college housing this spring that is past. Our company is trying to help all pupils, no matter where they decide to live, including through school funding and pupil solutions to satisfy both in-person and learning that is remote residing requires. Crisis capital and price of attendance alterations (through our school funding and Scholarships workplace) can be obtained to help specific pupils dealing with pecuniary hardship. And when a students’ families’ financial circumstances have substantially changed within the last couple of few months, they need to contact our aid that is financial office we’re going to cause them to become getting all help which is why they have been qualified.
Because each situation that is individual’s unique, we encourage pupils who will be dealing with significant challenges to speak with their consultant for more information on resources and choices open 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 being being taken?
Chancellor Christ : Our admissions procedure is dependent on a holistic post on every applicant, looking not just at test grades and ratings, but in addition at students’ achievements into the context of these possibilities, challenges, and socioeconomic status. Our present admissions process is sound and reflects lots of significant improvements manufactured in the past few years. Within the last admissions period, we admitted a more ethnically diverse course and admitted more lower-income pupils. Admitting an exemplary class that is additionally diverse, showing a cross-section of California’s communities, is a vital facet of our objective being a college.