Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Nov. 1, 1977, edition 1 / Page 1
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quilfordlan Volume LXII, No. 7 H Guilford College. Greensboro. N.C. November 1, 1977 Grade Inflation Rising BY JULIE PONTONE AND JOOST de WIT From 1960 to 1974, the percentage of A's at Guilford has gone up 14%. Grade inflation has arrived. Students are constantly conscious of their grades. Grades are judgments of a student's performance. Since most graduate schools and job requirements request a trans cript from former colleges, students feel they must push as hard as they can to get the best possible mark. On the whole, most pro fessors at Guilford are aware of this grade inflation. In interviews with faculty members too many tend to believe that grades are "rewards" to a student's achievements. On the other hand students seem to feel that the grades given are lower than they deserve. One science professor offers an explana tion. An incoming student at Guilford seems to feel that he/she has come to Guilford with straight A's, they should continue to receive them. Particularly in majors, students try to achieve A grades. An incoming freshman does not know that he/she comes to Guilford with a C. Majors are centering themselves in one aspect of education which is going to go more in depth in that area. There is no doubt that the grade tends to be lower. Students do not seem to recognize this fact. The faculty members inter viewed tend to lean on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT's), especially with students whose grades take a drastic drop. Most added that they don't like to do this because it is not an extremely accurate test, however the (SAT's) are flexible enough to give professors a good idea of how much knowledge a student hasacquired previously. Various comments from students say that this is unfair. How can a student score well on the SAT if he/she hasn't learned the material the SAT requires? Guilford tries to stress a well rounded curriculum. Sometime in four years at Guilford, you will attend five semesters of required courses. Students seem to feel that this is too much. Professors, however, seem to disagree. Professors tend to believe that this is not enough. Several years ago the requirements were tougher. This is one reason for grade inflation. Students argue that high school require ments are not as uniformly developed. This is the reason that students, especially incoming freshman seem to feel that the standards at Guilford are too high. Then why the uprise? Most teachers seem to feel guilty about giving lower grades especially if the student is working up to his/her capacity. The other prime reason is MONEY. Teachers who tend to have popular courses, tend to attract a greater number of students, which boosts the college. This also affects pay raises and helps teachers who are tryincf to gain tenure. Among the interviews many interesting facts and views on grade inflation were discovered. Some of these are: 1. Certain members of the faculty give only a given number of A's per semester. 2. One member of the faculty was told to stop giving too many F's out to his students. 3. Quite a few of the faculty members have not revised their personal grading systems in at least four years. 4. Many staff members do not count class participation in their courses even if stated in the beginning of the course, or listed in the Guilford College Catalog. 5. A few professors tend to ignore questions in class in order to finish their schedule they have prepared for the class. 6. Independent studies grades tend to be higher because the professor favors the student's idea rather than the actual thesis. 7. The professors interviewed tend to slack off on their grading standards so they can be popular with their depart ment. lifeJi 4BP - mA ' r VlB| IBM Ji MPmI Bft ''SlSßfl*WßiP®i HI Cjm^ *" ' 'SsP^^P*: W*- ""**'" ' :.gi ..' .i** 6 * - " ;; .Vs&Qsii(&**™P-''. ..*■?.*•- • Apple Chill Cloggers make an evening of it, demonstrating and instructing on Sunday night. Photo by Corky Williams Bonfire to Ignite Homecoming BY SUSAN SHUFORD Guilford College's 1977 Homecoming on Saturday, November 5, will be the center of an activity-packed weekend. Topping the entertainment list will be a bonfire and dance, a special reunion for former Cox Hall residents, a Hall of Fame Banquet and a football game with James Madison University. The lakeside bonfire sponsored by the College Union and the cheerleaders will add a new twist to traditional Guilford homecoming activities. A bonfire will be held Friday the 4th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. It will include a marshmallow roast and musical entertain ment provided by students. A dance will also be held Friday night at 9:00 p.m. The band will be "Casper"; dress is semi-formal. Saturday's activities will begin with alumni registration at 10:00 a.m. Refreshments will be served in what is now the remodeled Hege-Cox Hall, a center for visual arts. There will also be a reunion for all former Cox Hall residents. Photos from Guilford's past will be on display. Selected pictures will be enlarged and placed on "silent auction." Place your bid in the box, and you could win a "golden oldie." Saturday afternoon lunch will be replaced by a special beef barbecue to be held on the lawn between Hege-Cox and center-walk. Students, faculty and former faculty will join together for this casual meal. A dorm decorating contest will replace Guilford's usual homecoming parade. Each dorm's members will collabor ate to decorate their front entrance. Judging will take place at noon. A SSO cash prize will be awarded to the dorm whose decorations show the most spirit and originality. At 1:30 p.m. the Guilford Quakers will be pitted against the "Dukes" of James Madison University of Lexington, Virginia for the homecoming football game. At 6:00 p.m. alumni will be honored at a Hall of Fame Banquet. The 1977 inductees will be Federal District Court Judge Abner Alexander of Winston Salem; businessman Bob Cornish of Advance; retired furniture executive Jesse Finch of Thomasville; and Charles Hendricks, Associative Director of Admissions of Guilford. The film Marathon Man will round off the 1977 Home coming activities. 1 Day Student Fete The Day Students, that ever present but seldom noticed population, are sponsoring a cookout by the lake on Tues day, November 8, from 4-7 p.m. Featured will be live, local entertainers to help "digest" your food, a bonfire to warm your hands, and the opportun ity to meet and mingle with some new people. Main campus students will eat their regular meal there and Day Students are also invited to eat for free. The food will be extra-special for the occasion, and the vegetarian entree will be expanded to accomodate the Day Students as well. All are encouraged to come and have a good time.
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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Nov. 1, 1977, edition 1
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