The Collegiate
Page 2 September 30, 1981
VIEWPOINTS
b \othing Sacred? ‘Collegiate ’ Business Booms
By Sun Meihmos
The other Any, 1 got a B + +
on an English paper. I didn't
think it should have been a
higher grade; in fact, the
professor was quite generous.
The problem was that I didn't
exactly understand what a
B + + meant. Hence, this
article.
It seems as though a “B”
can range anywhere from 85-92
on a 7-point scale, and any
where from 80-90 on a 10-point
scale. A ‘‘B + ” on a 7-point
scale would be the numerical
equivalent of a 91, and a
••B + ” on a 10-point scale
would be the numerical equiva
lent of an 88. A‘‘B+ + *’ona
7-point scale is a 92 and an 89
on a 10-point scale. Confusing? To say the least.
Are you ready for the minuses?
A “C" is anything from an 84-77 (7-pt.) or 80-70 (10-pt.). A
“C-” on a 7-point scale would be a 78, or a 71 on a 10-point scale.
A "C--” is a 77, or a 70, depending on the scale you use. Now
here’s the catch.
None of this matters on your final grade.
The registrar (that's the person who prints your report card)
ignores all plus and minus signs. If your professor sends down a
“B + " for your final grade, the registrar writes down a “B.”
Conceivably, you could have a 92, which is much closer to an "A”
than it is to a "B" and still only get credit for a “B."
Another problem with the letter grade is the way it is converted
into your grade point average. An “A" is worth four points, a “B"
is worth three, a “C" two, and so on. But why should a 92 “B” be
worth only three points instead of, say, 3.5?
There are some really intelligent reasons for this method of
grading. 1) The computer only prints letter grades, not numbers or
plus or minus signs. 2) It’s traditional. And 3) It’s easier to
translate grades for transfer students. Are we so backwards that
we can’t re-program a computer? Do we have to ignore change
simply because it's change? And is the college for AC students, oi
for students transferring from other colleges or universities?
There arc a number of solutions for this little oversight. One is
to simply use numbers. If your average is 88, your grade is an 88,
not a “B.” For those who think this is unnecessary and too
complicated to translate for transfer students, there is an alternate
solution. Use both numbers and letters. Your grade would be
“88-B" or “79-C.” Also, we need to come up with a better system
of converting grades into the GPA. Some people are obviously
being cheated out of points that, in most cases, are sorely needed.
By the way, none of this is the registrar’s fault. She is, as they
say, * just doing her job.” But I think it’s time for a change in our
grading system. We need a fairer, more accurate way of
evaluating student performance in class.
1, for one, need all the help 1 can get!
The Collegiate
Editor John Speight
Assistant Editor Lisa Boykin
Sports Editor Stan Meihaus
Business Manager Lynda Owen
Advertising Manager Michael Nixon
Arts Editor Nancy Tissot
Photographers Jeff MacLennan
Harold Williams
Adviser Michael Fukuchi
Staff: bandy Aldridge, Randy Brantley, Kyle Garmon,
Regan Haldeman, Shereen Heath, Debbie Jennings,
Johnny Johnson, Ernie Lee, Michael Nixon, Pete Purcell.
Robin Sellers. Bill Sledge, Maurica Smith, Tony Turley,
Cathy Walston, Marty Williams, and Brad Woodard.
By Lisa Boykin
Six weeks ago “The Colle
giate” resumed publication for
the fall semester. Although
somewhat optimistic, the staff
(comprised of five people in
cluding the editors and adviser)
in no way anticipated the re
sponse thus far generated by
the paper.
People are actually volun
teering to write stories and we
now have a staff of 25. We no
longer have to print the propa
ganda we receive in the mail
either. Even more remarkable,
people are actually reading the
paper, not just thumbing
through it looking for coupons.
I have been so amazed at the
fact that the papers are dis
appearing before noon on Wed
nesdays, that 1 was beginning to
believe that someone was taking
all of them. Not taking one at a
time mind you, but 10 or 15; 1
don't know what I thought they
were doing with them, but 1 was
almost convinced.
I’m not complaining. As a
matter of fact, I'm very pleased-
shocked, but pleased. Whereas
last year our motto was “We
print anything,” this year it is
“We print anything, if we can
fit it in.” For the first time in
recent “Collegiate” history, the
staff is being forced to leave out
articles. Last semester we had
to make up stories in order to
prevent leaving blank pages.
The many compliments we
have received are much appre
ciated and, believe it or not, so
are the criticisms, the con
structive ones that is. But some
of the comments regarding Stan
Meihaus’ column “Is Nothing
Sacred?” do deserve comment.
Stan has been accused of
many things: muckraking, nit
picking, being a chronic corn-
plainer, complaining too much
for a freshman and many others.
Contrary to the belief of
some, Stan's columns do serve a
purpose and do involve careful
thought and research. His col
umns are aimed at student con
cerns and problems. They are
intended to help students. Ironi
cally, those finding fault with
Stan’s articles seem to be the
students. Many administrators
have actually voiced their ap
proval of the column. They have
seen and understood the prob-
Social Science Club
As most students on campus
probably know, social studies
includes a wide range of curri
culum including history, poli
tical science, economics, geo
graphy and sociology. What you
probably do not know, however,
is that majors in all of these
fields as well as other interested
persons are not only welcomed
but encouraged to join the Social
Science Club.
The club meets every Tues
day from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in
riines 205. The organization is
engaged in various activities in
cluding a cooK-out at 5 p.m..
Oct. 1 at the Wilson Recreation
Park off Raleigh Road. All who
are interested in attending are
encouraged to sign up on the
sheet posted outside the social
studies office door.
The club hopes to remain
active but in order to be so,
active and eagar students are
asked to join the organizatio. So
■Kr
The opinions expiessied are
those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect the views of
“The Collegiate” or the college.
COLLEGUTE SUBSCRIPTIONS
The Collegiate is now available to alumni, parents and friends of
the college. Published weekly, the cost is $7 per year. The
CoUegUte will keep you up-to-date on campus activities including
sports, fraternities and academics.
For your subscription, send your name and mailing address and
enclose your check for $7 made out to: The Collegiate, Atlantic
Christian College, Wilson, N.C. 27893-0%2.
Name
Address
CSty, State, Zipeode
lems and they are not offended
by Stan’s ideas and charges.
Is it fK)ssible that some upper
classmen are threatened by a
freshman up-start? Just be
cause Stan has the initiative and
gall to express his opinions
students are finding it necces-
sary to verbally assauh him.
Well folks, we at the “Colle
giate” are glad to have Stan on
our side and we don’t intend to
let him go.
We do however, offer an
open-forum to any student,
faculty or staff member. If you
have a complaint, response,
compliment, problem, what
ever, and you wish to have it
printed, submit it to the “Colle
giate” in the form of a Letter to
the Editor. Letters must be sum-
mitted by Friday midnight and
must be signed. A phone nuraer
where the writer can be reached
must be included in case any
questions arise concerning the
content of the letter. The “Col
legiate” office is in the base
ment of Hardy Alumni Hall. If
no one is in, leave the letter
attached to the door.
AITENTIGN All ACC students
must bring their IDs to the
soccer and basketball home
games for free admission. Stu
dents without their IDs, at the
gate, will be asked to return for
them, or to pay the student
admission fee.
Letter to
the Editor
To the Editor:
“Is Reagan a Warmonger?”
hardly presents a convincing
argument in proposing a simi
larity between the recent Libyan
incident and the conflict in the
Gulf of Tonkin which took place
during the Democratic Johnson
administration. The circum
stances surrounding the two
confrontations are vastly mote
different than they are alike.
When the Libyan incident
occurred, the U.S. Navy was
conducting a legitimate military
exercise in international waters.
It is very disturbing to me that
any American would assume
that President Reagan is a war
monger unless there is a com
plete lack of understanding and
knowledge of the very comple*
and interrelated world in which
we live today.
Respectfully,
Randy Woodiufif