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 needs, 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 any such thing on Reddit .
below are a few AMA shows (Some concerns had been reduced for size and quality):
Concern from bustedlame : exist 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 in my experience that the complete P/NP strategy is extremely modifiable in a manner that will give pupils that are highly influenced by remote learning the breathing space this is certainly 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 that is a rather hot subject for our pupils, therefore I’m maybe maybe maybe not amazed that this is actually the most well known subject of the AMA.
To begin with, we observe 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 responsibility. Having said that, P/NP needs aren’t a simple problem, nor one thing I am able to manage by fiat.
The University of Ca features a tradition that is long-standing of governance that numerous would argue has added to its extraordinary success. As a result, the authority which will make modifications to P/NP needs are delegated through the entire college in addition to campus. Some facets of the P/NP policy are set because of the systemwide academic senate. Other people are in the range of this Berkeley unit associated with Academic Senate. Other people are set because of the faculty for the educational schools and universities.
You will find four aspects that are basic our P/NP policy — the limitation regarding the amount of total devices that may be taken P/NP, the limitation that major needs can’t be taken P/NP, the limitation that prerequisites for majors can not be taken P/NP, additionally the due date in which a training course could be switched from graded status to P/NP. The very first among these aspects of the insurance policy is beneath the control of the systemwide Senate. One other three sleep inside the authority for the 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.
Take into account that you have got a wide selection of means to lessen your scholastic anxiety. You are able to currently use up to 33per cent of the graduation needs P/NP (and final semester’s courses don’t count from this total). Most UC Berkeley pupils are using more devices than they should; you might give consideration to cutting your program load. As well as your division and university advisors is there to assist you: they usually have considerable latitude to give exemptions to P/NP restrictions — for major needs, as an example.
I am aware this might be a really stressful time; We encourage one to make use of the latitude you have got in going classes to P/NP or asking your consultant for an exclusion.
Concern from bee5sea6 : what is happening with springtime break 2021? Within the study, it had been recommended it almost completely that you were considering getting rid of. Whenever can we expect any updates on that choice, and exactly how really is the fact that choice really being taken?
Chancellor Christ we realize that the pandemic is hugely troublesome to pupils and their loved ones, and now we like to accommodate students as well we are able to. Berkeley has refunded housing and dining charges for many who left college housing this previous springtime. We have been attempting to help all pupils, no matter where they elect to live, including through educational funding and pupil solutions to satisfy both in-person and learning that is remote living requires. Crisis capital and price of attendance alterations (through our school funding and Scholarships workplace) is present to aid specific pupils dealing with monetaray hardship. If a students’ families’ financial circumstances have substantially changed within the last few months, they ought to contact our aid that is financial office we shall get them to getting all help which is why these are typically qualified.
Because each individual’s situation is unique, we encourage pupils that are dealing with significant challenges to speak 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 in order that under-qualified pupils can’t just purchase their means into this college. Exactly what are some concrete actions which are being taken?
Chancellor Christ : Our admissions procedure is founded 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 the possibilities, challenges, and status that is socioeconomic. Our present admissions procedure is sound and reflects lots of significant improvements produced in the last few years. Within the last few admissions period, we admitted a more class that is ethnically diverse 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.
