University of Michigan plans to shield 2027 freshman letter grades from transcripts in new mental health plan
Freshmen at the University of Michigan next year are set to get a semester-long break from having letter grades appear on their transcripts, as school officials look for new ways to combat the "mental health crisis" affecting higher education.Starting in fall 2027, incoming first-year students enrolled in the public research university's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) will have their first-semester grades designated as pass or no credit on their transcripts in an attempt to "curb the mental health crisis unfolding among college-aged individuals," according to the university."Our goal is to help first-year students acclimate to the demands of college and allow intrinsic motivations to guide personally meaningful academic journeys — core elements of a liberal arts and sciences education," the statement continued.EDUCATION SECRETARY LINDA MCMAHON RIPS CALIFORNIA TRANS ATHLETE ‘COMPROMISE,’ TELLS NEWSOM TO ‘PICK A SIDE’The LSA, which is the largest of the university’s 19 colleges and serves approximately 19,700 undergraduate students, will provide students with their letter grades throughout the semester — but will not include the final average on their transcripts.Transcripts will instead show a "P" for pass or "NC" for no credit.The covered grades will not be factored into students' grade point averages, a move university officials say will give first-year students greater freedom to explore academically."For example, they can explore a subject that may not come easily to them or take a course in a new field without the fear that a low grade may have long-term consequences," the university added. " LSA is investing in students’ well-being and growth by fostering a culture of connection and collaboration — rather than competition."HARVARD FACULTY VOTE TO CAP 'A' GRADES AT 20% IN SWEEPING EFFORT TO COMBAT DECADES OF GRADE INFLATIONUnder the new policy, university officials will keep students' first-semester letter grades internally for administrative purposes, including academic advising, potential academic awards and scholarships, internship and other professional applications, athletic eligibility, compliance reporting, degree progress and financial aid determinations.Additionally, the 2027 policy only applies to incoming freshmen enrolled in the LSA, with school officials adding there is no opt-out option."An opt-in structure would defeat the purpose of facilitating students’ transition to campus, supporting mental health and well-being, and bolstering intrinsic motivations for learning," the university said.Michigan is now the latest in a small group of schools throughout the country that have chosen to enact similar policies, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Swarthmore College and the California Institute of Technology.CALIFORNIA PROFESSOR ARGUES NEED FOR 'OBJECTIVE MEASURES' AFTER STATE DROPS ACT/SAT REQUIREMENTWhile the program is aimed at supporting students’ mental health, psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert believes it runs the risk of doing more harm than good."We’re raising a generation of students to believe that discomfort is dangerous," Alpert, author of "Therapy Nation," told Fox News Digital.
Reported by 1 outlet — Fox News Latest. See all sources ↓
Freshmen at the University of Michigan next year are set to get a semester-long break from having letter grades appear on their transcripts, as school officials look for new ways to combat the "mental health crisis" affecting higher education.Starting in fall 2027, incoming first-year students enrolled in the public research university's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) will have their first-semester grades designated as pass or no credit on their transcripts in an attempt to "curb the mental health crisis unfolding among college-aged individuals," according to the university."Our goal is to help first-year students acclimate to the demands of college and allow intrinsic motivations to guide personally meaningful academic journeys — core elements of a liberal arts and sciences education," the statement continued.EDUCATION SECRETARY LINDA MCMAHON RIPS CALIFORNIA TRANS ATHLETE ‘COMPROMISE,’ TELLS NEWSOM TO ‘PICK A SIDE’The LSA, which is the largest of the university’s 19 colleges and serves approximately 19,700 undergraduate students, will provide students with their letter grades throughout the semester — but will not include the final average on their transcripts.Transcripts will instead show a "P" for pass or "NC" for no credit.The covered grades will not be factored into students' grade point averages, a move university officials say will give first-year students greater freedom to explore academically."For example, they can explore a subject that may not come easily to them or take a course in a new field without the fear that a low grade may have long-term consequences," the university added. " LSA is investing in students’ well-being and growth by fostering a culture of connection and collaboration — rather than competition."HARVARD FACULTY VOTE TO CAP 'A' GRADES AT 20% IN SWEEPING EFFORT TO COMBAT DECADES OF GRADE INFLATIONUnder the new policy, university officials will keep students' first-semester letter grades internally for administrative purposes, including academic advising, potential academic awards and scholarships, internship and other professional applications, athletic eligibility, compliance reporting, degree progress and financial aid determinations.Additionally, the 2027 policy only applies to incoming freshmen enrolled in the LSA, with school officials adding there is no opt-out option."An opt-in structure would defeat the purpose of facilitating students’ transition to campus, supporting mental health and well-being, and bolstering intrinsic motivations for learning," the university said.Michigan is now the latest in a small group of schools throughout the country that have chosen to enact similar policies, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Swarthmore College and the California Institute of Technology.CALIFORNIA PROFESSOR ARGUES NEED FOR 'OBJECTIVE MEASURES' AFTER STATE DROPS ACT/SAT REQUIREMENTWhile the program is aimed at supporting students’ mental health, psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert believes it runs the risk of doing more harm than good."We’re raising a generation of students to believe that discomfort is dangerous," Alpert, author of "Therapy Nation," told Fox News Digital. A bad grade can be upsetting, embarrassing and stressful. That’s not a mental health emergency.
Read the full report at Fox News Latest ↗
Why it matters
A world story we're tracking; its significance and source trust firm up as more outlets confirm it.
- What's the story?
- Freshmen at the University of Michigan next year are set to get a semester-long break from having letter grades appear on their transcripts, as school officials look for new ways to combat the "mental health crisis" affecting higher education.Starting in fall 2027, incoming first-year students enrolled in the public research university's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) will have their first-semester grades designated as pass or no credit on their transcripts in an attempt to "curb the mental health crisis unfolding among college-aged individuals," according to the university."Our goal is to help first-year students acclimate to the demands of college and allow intrinsic motivations to guide personally meaningful academic journeys — core elements of a liberal arts and sciences education," the statement continued.EDUCATION SECRETARY LINDA MCMAHON RIPS CALIFORNIA TRANS ATHLETE ‘COMPROMISE,’ TELLS NEWSOM TO ‘PICK A SIDE’The LSA, which is the largest of the university’s 19 colleges and serves approximately 19,700 undergraduate students, will provide students with their letter grades throughout the semester — but will not include the final average on their transcripts.Transcripts will instead show a "P" for pass or "NC" for no credit.The covered grades will not be factored into students' grade point averages, a move university officials say will give first-year students greater freedom to explore academically."For example, they can explore a subject that may not come easily to them or take a course in a new field without the fear that a low grade may have long-term consequences," the university added. " LSA is investing in students’ well-being and growth by fostering a culture of connection and collaboration — rather than competition."HARVARD FACULTY VOTE TO CAP 'A' GRADES AT 20% IN SWEEPING EFFORT TO COMBAT DECADES OF GRADE INFLATIONUnder the new policy, university officials will keep students' first-semester letter grades internally for administrative purposes, including academic advising, potential academic awards and scholarships, internship and other professional applications, athletic eligibility, compliance reporting, degree progress and financial aid determinations.Additionally, the 2027 policy only applies to incoming freshmen enrolled in the LSA, with school officials adding there is no opt-out option."An opt-in structure would defeat the purpose of facilitating students’ transition to campus, supporting mental health and well-being, and bolstering intrinsic motivations for learning," the university said.Michigan is now the latest in a small group of schools throughout the country that have chosen to enact similar policies, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Swarthmore College and the California Institute of Technology.CALIFORNIA PROFESSOR ARGUES NEED FOR 'OBJECTIVE MEASURES' AFTER STATE DROPS ACT/SAT REQUIREMENTWhile the program is aimed at supporting students’ mental health, psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert believes it runs the risk of doing more harm than good."We’re raising a generation of students to believe that discomfort is dangerous," Alpert, author of "Therapy Nation," told Fox News Digital.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 13m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
University of Michigan plans to shield 2027 freshman letter grades from transcripts in new mental health plan
Sources1TypeCoverageFox News Latest