Grade nondisclosure policies implemented at the nation's top business schools have decreased levels of student learning and effort, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported on Monday. According to the Sept. 22 study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research, students at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School self-reported a 22 percent decrease in time devoted to academics since the implementation of the policy, which was intended to de-emphasize grades and inspire students to try challenging classes. While grade nondisclosure policies do not prevent students from sharing grades with employers, students at several schools voted to establish a "social norm" of withholding grades from employers, according to The Chronicle. The study's authors noted that even without mandatory grade disclosure, schools receive other indicators of a student's progress, including awards for top performers and minimum grade baselines, The Chronicle reported.
Cornell University administrators are revamping an ID scanning application compatible with iPhones and iPads to be used at events hosted by Greek organizations beginning in mid-October, The Cornell Daily Sun reported. The application was developed last fall in preparation for Cornell's recent mandate that restricts freshmen from attending fraternity events during their first semester on campus. Cornell fraternities must obtain a card scanner and an iPod equipped with the ID Card Scan application before hosting an event. After registering the name, age and year of each student scanned, the application gives guest information to social chairs and administrators. The scanners will make it easier for members of the Greek community to adhere to Cornell's new mandate by creating organized guest records, The Sun reported. Fraternity presidents have indicated that low Wi-Fi connectivity and limited availability of scanners may limit the number of events hosted each weekend and increase the waiting time for students to attend fraternity events., according to The Sun.
San Diego State University will introduce an undergraduate major in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies during its Spring 2012 term, according to a university press release. Several students have already expressed an interest in pursuing the major, which has applications in occupational sectors that emphasize diversity and tolerance. San Diego State, which has a five-star rating on the Campus-Pride's LGBT-Friendly Climate Index, is the second university in the United States and the first in California to offer the major. The university currently holds LGBT-friendly activities such as a campus-wide rainbow flag raising and participation in the San Diego Pride parade, but is introducing the program to promote the efforts of a greater, national wave of change, according to the press release.
