Good grades made simple

Syllabus breakdown:

Case study- 15 points

Mid-term- 100 points

A Cardinals win- 10 points?

Professors at Stephens are given a great deal of freedom in the manner in which they conduct their classes. This affords them chances to add new assignments as needed, make changes to their syllabi and dole out extra credit. Extended deadlines and extra points may often be a perk for students, but are they always given for legitimate purposes?

Extra credit opportunities until this semester have been few and far between for me. In my two and a half years at Stephens, I think I have earned a handful of bonus points throughout classes that constitute thousands of points. I consider myself lucky to have obtained those, completing whatever assignment was thrown my way to do so.

It has recently come to my attention that getting extra credit isn't that difficult for everyone. Some professors offer extra credit for everything from attending campus events to trying unusual candies, and one class collectively crossed their fingers for a Cardinals win to earn them 10 points.

Academic freedom is the principle that allows professors this privilege. According to the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), "Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject." In 1970, interpretive comments by the AAUP on this definition stated, "The passage serves to underscore the need for teachers to avoid persistently intruding material which has no relation to their subject."

After reviewing this, some questions come to mind. What exactly is the relation of a baseball game to a business course, or a candy tasting to a science class? Does swinging by a Stephens home game add value to my education?

I do not argue the principle of academic freedom, but rather the abuse of it. As students at a supposedly prestigious institution, should we not be held to higher standards? Where is the motivation to turn in quality work when a night at a sporting event will make up for a mediocre grade?

Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Nancy Cornwell says Stephens has no policy dictating how instructors teach or grade. In terms of extra credit, this means it is up to individual professors to determine when, why and what kind of extra credit is appropriate.

Because there is no policy, it is difficult to make a ruling about what practices are inappropriate. The definition and comments on academic freedom further complicate the issue as there is no way to measure persistent intrusion. Perhaps further interpretation by the AAUP could put a number to this.

For now, I ask students to take personal responsibility and expect more of themselves than what is expected by some at this institution. When you see frivolous points being given, stand up and speak out. Extra credit isn't an option after graduation, so set the standard for excellence now. n

Hillary Shipman is an MPA major who will graduate next week. She is a Columbia native who has been on newspaper staff for one year.