Many students and faculty members agree that while the plus/minus grading system was a source of controversy when it was implemented four years ago, it has been an improvement over the previous system.

The University Faculty Senate approved the plus/minus system in 1985 in response to student appeals for a more accurate grading system, said George Bugyi, the senate's executive secretary. The system was instituted in the fall of 1987, he said.

The change created grades of A-minus, B-plus, B-minus, and C-plus, Bugyi said. Before the change, only standard letter grades existed.

Bugyi said the faculty was reluctant to change because the standard system had worked well. But the senate bowed to the students' wishes.

"Students were the inertia and impetus behind it," Bugyi said.

The plus/minus system is "a thousand times better" than the system it replaced, said John Moore, assistant professor of English, who voted for the system as a senator in 1985. "It rewards students better than it did in the past."

But Charles Strauss, University professor of forest economics, said he opposed the measure because the plus/minus system helps borderline students while ignoring high-scoring students because it lacks a C-minus and an A-plus.

"That small portion of exceptional students is still not being rewarded justly," Strauss said.

Bugyi said he agrees that the new system has most affected the highest scholars in the university. Some students who would have earned a 4.0 grade-point average under the old system, which did not include an A-minus, no longer do, he said.

Many students complained that it was unfair that not all professors were using the plus/minus system when it first went into effect in fall 1987, he said.

Bugyi said the inconsistency occurred because not all professors realized the system was mandatory. Once the University stressed that the system was required, Bugyi said the professors complied with the policy.

The plus/minus system is common at other universities.

Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York also adopted a plus/minus grading system in fall 1987 to describe student performance more accurately, said Edna Hubert, a registrar recorder at Syracuse. She said Syracuse's system is the same as Penn State's, except it includes a C-minus.

Bucknell University in Lewisburg, changed to a plus/minus system, including a C-minus, at about the same time as Penn State, said Bruce Freed, Bucknell University registrar. He said Bucknell changed its system because, "we didn't have a way of distinguishing student performance accurately enough."

The University of Pittsburgh also uses a plus/minus system, said Veronica Hoffmeyer, assistant registrar at Pitt, but it includes a C-minus, D-plus, and D-minus. Pitt also gives an A-plus, Hoffmeyer said, but it is worth a 4.0, like an A.

Many schools adopted a plus/minus system at the same time as Penn State, Freed said, adding that it was part of a national trend.

Students at Penn State generally approve of the change and think the plus/minus systen is beneficial.

Florence Anderson (junior-theater design) said the system is more fair and accurate. "The more refined the system is, the more you understand where you are," Anderson said.

Jerry Radzai (freshman-business management) said the system helps him. "When you get a B-plus," he said, "you don't feel as bad for not getting an A."

Diana Wolf (senior-film) said that although the system actually helps her, a straight system without pluses or minuses would be easier on students and teachers.

"It's really confusing when you try to figure out how you're doing overall," Wolf said.