Iowa State University has granted the ability for all undergraduate classes to be graded on a Pass/Fail scale. They sighted the reason for this change to minimize the stress on students and professors. As veterinary medicine students we are subjected to classes that are much more stressful than our undergraduate colleagues. Our professors also have a greater demand than their undergraduate study counterparts. However, we are not granted the same grading scale as the undergraduates.

A number of our student body are without internet access and are solely responsible for this. We also have students with children, who can no longer utilize childcare as a result of COVID-19 closures. This lack of internet for some and childcare for others has lead to increased stress and inability to complete their required coursework. Many students are already falling behind and will continue to fall further behind, ultimately resulting in a lower grade and more stress.

Our school also prides itself on having students from all over the country and around the world. This serves as another area of stress as these students have to attend live lectures at abnormal times. Our student body also consists of a number of students that have to work in order to provide for themselves and their families; as a result they have less time to focus of their studies.

Many of these students with extra stress are relying on a good GPA to get them into internships and residences. The integration will allow these students to have a better shot at these positions without over stressing them for the remainder of the semester. The Pass/Fail system just makes sense in this time of increased stress and worry.

The Pass/Fail grading system would allow our student body to focus better and have less stress moving forward. We are told time and time again that this is an unprecedented situation, but yet no change is coming to vet med that will ultimately benefit its students. I am calling upon ISU College of Veterinary Administration to make classes Pass/Fail for the reminder of the Spring 2020 semester for the betterment of the students and faculty.