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University of Michigan Will Ease Up on Grades for Student Mental Health
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The University of Michigan will implement a pass/fail grading system for first-semester freshmen starting in fall 2027 at the College of Literature, Science and the Arts to reduce academic pressure and support mental health.
- Although letter grades will be recorded internally for compliance and honors eligibility, official transcripts will only show "pass" or "no credit," and these grades will not affect students' GPA.
- This approach is inspired by similar grading policies at institutions like MIT and Brown University, which aim to help students adjust to college demands without the stress of traditional grading.
- The university hopes the change will encourage students to explore new subjects and courses without fear of long-term academic consequences from low grades.
