UWGB plans to give students 'COVID-19' grade relief

UW-Green Bay adjusts grading and addresses student employee compensation as part of pandemic response

“We’re doing everything within our power…to get [students] through these difficult times”

The Brillion News

GREEN BAY - The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay announced two efforts to provide additional student relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an unprecedented action, UW-Green Bay faculty passed a resolution unanimously supporting more equitable and accommodating academic grading for the remainder of this semester.

In addition, the University announced a program to provide assistance to student employees whose on-campus positions have been affected by the pandemic.

The resolution is the first of its kind for the University and recognizes the unprecedented times and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Associate Professor Jon Shelton, a member of the University Committee, drafted the resolution based on suggestions from faculty across campus departments and disciplines. 

“The faculty of UW-Green Bay are deeply concerned about our students, many of whom face serious challenges in shifting all instruction online under these urgent conditions,” Shelton said. “We don’t want to see any of our students’ aspirations get derailed, especially because of circumstances outside of their control. So, we passed this resolution to make sure they know we are going to do everything in our power to adjust our grading to get them through these difficult times.”

Steps might include weighting grades more heavily on projects completed in the first part of the semester; changing the “grading curve” in individual courses, or offering students a choice of final assignments that can better accommodate their current needs.

UW-Green Bay Provost and Chancellor-Elect Michael Alexander said he was proud of the faculty for moving in this direction.

“This statement shows the compassion and the student-first model that UW-Green Bay is known for,” Alexander said. “It shows that as a University community, we are willing to support each other, and we believe educating future leaders in our society is essential to helping us all heal and thrive after the pandemic. We are persevering to make sure that happens. Our resilience will hold until brighter days and in-person learning opportunities return.”

The University also announced a Student Employee Income Continuation Program that provides a one-time COVID-19 leave payment to all student workers who were active as of Feb. 1, 2020.

The payment will be $100 per week for two weeks. A total of $200 will be paid out to each of the University’s 738 student employees.

“As an institution, UW-Green Bay is doing all it can to advocate for and support students who are experiencing financial and class hardships. We want students to stay in their spring classes and are working as fast as possible to knock down the barriers they are encountering. If they have a need, we want to know about it and want to help,” said Interim Chancellor Sheryl Van Gruensven.