Grades seem to be a constant source of discussion, whether it be grades on a specific exam or problem set or overall grading systems. And with good reason as this is a metric which we use in assessing the performance of our students. We do, however, recognize that this metric has its imperfections, so we continue to search for ways to improve it.

With this in mind, in the spring of 1995 the faculty gave its approval to a three-year CUP (Committee on the Undergraduate Program) experiment to use (+) and (-) modifiers on grades reported internally. After over two years of experience with such a system, it is time for us to evaluate the effects this system has had on the MIT educational career of our students and on your work as a faculty member. And we further need to think about what permanent changes we may want to make to the MIT grading system. No matter how inefficient this metric may be, we want to do our best to improve on it.

In early November, the CUP subcommittee charged with monitoring this experiment sent a survey to all faculty and all undergraduate and graduate students – a rare occurrence that all three groups are surveyed about a single issue. It is important that you take the time to fill out this survey so that we are able to obtain the proper reflections and opinions of the faculty in order to ensure that we can bring forth the best background information and associated recommendations to the faculty. This will enable us, as a faculty, to choose a system which best meets the needs of the entire Institute community – students and faculty.

I encourage you to respond to this survey and to further discuss these issues with colleagues and with students. This will best prepare us for an intelligent discussion in an upcoming faculty meeting and a resulting good decision. Feel free to contact me directly (pal@mit.edu, x3-3628) if you have particular thoughts. A discussion site, where further and more detailed views can be voiced, is planned. Please watch for more information.