Ask Me any such thing Chancellor Carol Christ answers questions on Reddit
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 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 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 quality):
Concern from bustedlame : Are there any talks 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 whole P/NP strategy is very modifiable in a manner that would offer 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’m sure this will be a rather topic that is hot our pupils, therefore I’m maybe maybe maybe not astonished that this is actually the hottest 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 simply help relieve the responsibility. Having said that, P/NP needs aren’t an issue that is straightforward 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 to create modifications to P/NP needs are delegated through the college additionally the campus. Some facets of the P/NP policy are set because of the systemwide academic senate. Other people are inside the range associated with the Berkeley unit regarding the Academic Senate. Other people are set by the faculty of this educational schools and universities.
You will find four aspects that are basic our P/NP policy — the limitation regarding the amount of total devices which can be taken P/NP, the restriction that major needs may not be taken P/NP, the limitation that prerequisites for majors may not be taken P/NP, plus the due date through 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 in the authority regarding the educational schools and universities. L&S has 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 have got a range that is wide of to lessen your educational anxiety. It is possible to currently use up to 33per cent of one’s graduation needs P/NP (and final semester’s courses 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 demands, for instance.
I am aware it is a tremendously stressful time; We encourage one to utilize the latitude you have got in going classes to P/NP or asking your consultant for the exclusion.
Concern from bee5sea6 : the proceedings with springtime break 2021? Into the study, it absolutely was recommended which you had been considering getting rid from it very nearly entirely. Whenever can any updates are expected by us on that decision, and exactly how really is the fact that choice really being wamba taken?
Chancellor Christ we realize that the pandemic was hugely troublesome to pupils and their own families, therefore we wish to accommodate students as well we can. Berkeley has refunded housing and dining charges if you left college housing this previous springtime. We’re trying to help all pupils, no matter where they decide to live, including through school funding and pupil solutions to fulfill both in-person and learning that is remote residing requires. Crisis financing and price of attendance alterations (through our school funding and Scholarships workplace) can be acquired to aid specific pupils dealing with hardship that is financial. And in case a students’ families’ financial circumstances have substantially changed within the last couple of few months, they need to contact our school funding workplace and we are going to cause them to become getting all help which is why they truly are qualified.
Because each individual’s situation is unique, we encourage pupils who will be dealing with significant challenges to communicate with their consultant for more information on resources and choices offered to them.
Concern from sprucegoose11 : Chancellor Christ: I’d want to hear some plans that are concrete rehabilitating the admissions procedure making sure that under-qualified pupils can’t just purchase their method into this college. What exactly are some concrete actions which can be 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 additionally at students’ achievements into the context of the possibilities, challenges, and socioeconomic status. Our admissions that are current is sound and reflects lots of significant improvements built in the past 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 an integral part of our objective being a college.