If graduate students are graded separately from undergraduates, their performance in undergraduate classes should not interfere with the grading curves.

In 1985 the University Faculty Senate approved the plus/minus undergraduate grading system to go into effect in 1987. The Graduate Council rejected the proposal for graduate students.

Different grading systems seem appropriate for different types of students. However, the methods by which graduates taking undergraduate-level classes are graded deserves careful review.

In many cases, mixing the graduate and undergraduate grading systems creates an unbalanced grade distribution curve. Last week the Faculty Senate reconfirmed the straight letter grading system for graduate students.

To maintain consistency in the undergraduate grading system, graduate students' grades should not be included in the undergraduates' curve.

Graduates and undergraduates compete in these classes. They study the same materials and take the same tests. It is not fair to evaluate them on the same grading curve when they are evaluated according to different grading systems.

Graduate students have a greater amount of academic experience and usually maintain a lower class load. Often they take 400-level courses to supplement their undergraduate degrees.

Most undergraduate students are taking a full credit load and require these classes for their degree. They need a high grade, and sometimes the grading curve can make a difference.

Mixing the straight grading scale of graduate students with the plus/minus grading scale of undergraduate students can throw off the curve for many students. Because different grading scales are used in the classroom, all grades should not be on one curve.

Certainly each academic level can maintain separate grading policies. At the same time, the difference in the grading systems could destroy the curve in courses with both graduates and undergraduates.

To grade students as fairly as possible, according to their different levels of knowledge, undergraduate and graduate students should not be graded on the same curve.