Oberlin College
- 1. Mia Orlandi Comm 460 2/15/15 Case Study #1 This case study is revolved around an interesting situation involving students at Oberlin College in Ohio. Many students who attend this college have received failing grades in their classes because they spent their time protesting. These students failed classes due to skipping class, missing assignments and tests, and lack of studying. Students were protesting against the recent deaths of many colored Americans by police officers. After receiving these grades, students wrote a petition to college president Marvin Krislov, asking for a pass on their failing grades, and an understanding of the real-life learning process they have went through during this time. At most colleges, once a grade is received, it is set in stone unless an individual with an important case comes through. In his letter back to students, Krislov states that We are in firm agreement that suspending grading protocols is not the way to achieve our shared goal of ensuring that students have every opportunity and resource to succeed (Baldwin, 2014.) Here it is said that this college has grading protocols which indicate policies that are already in existence with this institution. Krislov and the rest of the academic deans basically had two decisions, they could either let the students receive a pass grade, with understanding of their desire for equality, or they could give students their deserving grades. There are many conflicts and values that come into play with this situation. Good and bad, for example, plays a big part in this dilemma. Is the president of the college considered bad
- 2. because he wont help the students with their grades, or is he good because he wants educated young men and women to come out of his college? Are the students good for standing up for what they believe in, or are they bad for missing class and trying to seek the easiest way out? Right or wrong is also another controversy in this situation. Was skipping class and protesting right, or wrong? Was Krislovs decision to keep the students existing grades right, or wrong? Would Krislov be right to pass them, knowing many students didnt receive that proper education needed for their degree? While we can see standing up for other people as a very good and right thing to do, we can also see the understanding and passing grades of students as another good and right thing. Some of the values that come into play include professional values. These can includes questions of whether or not the president of the college is holding up his duties as a professional, and whether the students are holding up theirs as future degree holders. Another value that is of importance is the idea of hard work in the American culture. Americans value the idea of hard work and the deserving outcomes. This value is conflicted in terms of the students working hard as protestors, but not in the classroom. Some of the traditions that can be applied to this case include the concept of moral duty. Moral duties include the responsibilities of being a member of society, which involves maintaining this society. It is important to remember who is being a better member of society- the students, or the president of the college. Keeping this in mind makes the decision making easier. In addition to this, the concept of integrity is also important. Integrity can be defined as being honest with good moral principles. It is important to decipher exactly who was honest and had the best motives in the situation in order to make a decision. While this is a very controversial and ethical situation, I believe that Krislov made the correct choice in not changing the students grades to passing. Why? Class time is important.
- 3. This is where professionals are made. If this was high school, it wouldnt be as big of a deal. Students are learning how to becomes nurses, businessmen, and police officers. In my opinion, I wouldnt want my future leaders out there making decisions if I know that they havent had all the educational requirements met for their career. While they may have the grade on paper, that learning process in the classroom will not be there with them, and that is a very scary thing to me. This relates directly back to the idea of moral duty, which was mentioned previously. Moral duty is the concept being responsible for duties which help maintain society. In order to do this, the principle and staff must remember that our society needs smart, educated young graduates. If these students receive passing grades without earning it, this is putting the wrong type of people into society. It is very important that this situation is looked at through this concept in order to understand my decision and opinion on the situation. While this decision may hinder students right now, they will be grateful that they end up getting that education back in the long run.
- 4. Sources: Baldwin, M. (2014, December 17). Students at Oberlin College seek a 'pass' on failing grades because they were out protesting. Retrieved February 12, 2015, from http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/oh-lorain/students-at-oberlin-college-seek-a-pass- on-failing-grades-because-they-were-out-protesting