13/05/2021
[IMPORTANT]
Good evening everyone, we hope you are doing well.
This post is regarding the requests sent by students pertaining to various academic issues and the subsequent discussion with DD AIA and A.Dean AP. Graduating students were the foremost priority during the entire discussion, and steps have been taken to ensure that maximum students graduate on time.
Following is the response to the issues that we had taken up.
1] Credit waiver to the graduating students who have active backlogs worth 12-18 credits, provided the students are NOT ABLE TO complete it this summer semester by any means.
- After the grade submission deadline, an official survey would be conducted to understand the situation after the self-study courses were allowed. Students are highly encouraged to try completing their courses through self-study or regular summer courses. The administration has requested the professors to conduct as many self-study courses as required so that graduating can meet their academic requirements. Please note that if the decision after the survey is positive, it would be on a strictly case-to-case basis.
2] Allowing the non-final year students to complete backlog courses in self-study mode in the summer semester.
- Students would be updated about this from A/Dean AP very soon.
3] No FR policy [OR] No FR, only FF policy as a one-time measure for this semester.
- It was opined that a blanket policy could not be implemented. However, the Director, IIT Bombay, had sent out a request to all the professors to use the option of FF grade in place of FR grade wherever possible so that students get one more chance if they feel that they havenโt been able to give their best. Students should also personally reach out to their course instructors, requesting another option if they think they might get an FR.
4] Voluntary PP/NP in โXโ number of credits [OR] S-grade mechanism, an option of improving the grades later.
- This proposal was not accepted. It was discussed and deliberated multiple times, in the Senate, within the administration and with the student representatives.
- It was discussed that PP/NP grades might negatively impact studentsโ career opportunities even though they don't realise it now.
- It was mentioned that since most of the semester was completed before the second wave of COVID hit the nation and multiple evaluations were conducted throughout the semester, it is unfair to those students who have sincerely put efforts to perform well in the courses.
5] Extension of deadline for M.Tech and MSc seminars, similar to the extensions given to BTP/MTP/DDP.
- Guides/HoDs have already been requested to allow presentations later if students are facing issues. Please reach out to your department/guides personally with the requests.
6] A complete one-week break from academics for the first-year students, with no classes and evaluations.
- A second survey was conducted today to gauge what students think about the break, the results of which have been shared with the administration. Students can expect an update regarding this soon.
A personal note from us:
We completely understand the amount of stress that all of you have been going through due to this pandemic. There are various issues that each individual is facing, and not every problem can be listed down, but we want you to understand that not every situation needs a blanket policy, and problems can be solved on a case-to-case basis, especially in these challenging times. We want to humbly request the students who are facing issues with incomplete evaluations, re-exams or any other problem that is hampering their completion of this semester to reach out to us via email. We would try our best to help you out and solve your problems on a case-to-case basis. We are always here to help, but we would need you to reach out to us so that we can understand your issues.
Please take care and stay safe.
Regards,
Krishnaraj and Hrishikesh.
