The Exponent


11/20/01	5 day quick link 11/19 \| 11/16 \| 11/15 \| 11/14 \| 11/13

Academic career does not die with one class

Although I can certainly feel some empathy of the student that has been waiting for the grade appeals committee to rule on his case ("Long process vexes students," Nov.16), this student should take ultimate responsibility for his failure to graduate on time.

The student in question admitted that he had attempted to take a class to raise his GPA during the summer but dropped out. What is painfully obvious is the fact that if this student would have just stayed in his class and passed with the appropriate grade, he would no longer be on the West Lafayette campus. Instead, he seems to have pinned all of his hopes on the ruling of the committee. It must also be mentioned that there is no certainty that the committee will rule in the student's favor. This student is extremely presumptuous to assume that if the committee would have ruled sooner, his nightmare would now be over. On the contrary, if the committee would have heard his case and had ruled against the student in a timely manner before the end of summer, the student would still be here taking classes to boost his GPA so he could graduate.

Another aspect of this story that should be noted is the student's GPA before he took the class that ultimately stopped him from graduating. If he had used his time and energy earlier in his academic career, his GPA should have been able to withstand one or two lower grades.

I hope this student wins his appeal and receives his degree. My only purpose is to point out that students should learn that they have personal accountability when it comes to their academic success.

Jason Steward

Graduate Student

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