The Faculty Senate ad hoc committee on Grade Inflation (Don Lehman, Chair) with the concurrence of the Executive Committee (Charles Boncelet, Chair) propose the following resolution:

 

 

 

Whereas,          the Faculty Senate ad hoc committee on grade inflation has found evidence of significant grade inflation at the University, and

 

 

 

Whereas,          the grade inflation committee has conducted three open hearings, solicited comments, and generated discussion across campus, and

 

 

 

Whereas,          the most important mechanism identified for controlling grade inflation is faculty accountability, and recognizing that grading is a faculty prerogative, and

 

 

 

Whereas,          many faculty believe that transparency in grade distribution is an important goal, and

 

 

 

Whereas, in most classes, grade distributions can be made public without violating students’ rights of privacy; be it therefore,

 

 

 

1. Resolved,     that the Faculty Senate recommends that chairs and faculty discuss grade distribution and consider including it as a part of faculty annual appraisals; and be it further,

 

 

 

2. Resolved,     that wherever possible, the distribution of grades in classes and across departments be made public.