The University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) will shift to a pass/no credit grading system for all incoming freshmen during their first semester, beginning this fall. This policy aims to address what the college describes as a "mental health crisis" among students by reducing academic pressure.
Under the new system, first-semester grades will not be factored into students' grade point averages (GPAs) or appear on their official transcripts. Students will still receive feedback from professors and be aware of their performance, but the transcripts will simply indicate that all courses were automatically pass/no credit. This internal grading information will still be accessible for academic awards, scholarships, internships, advising, and for students seeking to change their major outside of LSA.
LSA, the largest of the university's 19 colleges with nearly 20,000 students, stated that the initiative is intended to help students "establish early momentum" and foster collaboration over competition. The college believes this approach will support student well-being and help curb rising mental health issues.
This policy is not unprecedented. Similar programs have been adopted by other institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Swarthmore College, and Wellesley College.
However, some experts express concern that such policies may coddle students. Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, author of "Therapy Nation," argued that distinguishing normal stress from a mental health problem is crucial. He stated that while a bad grade can be disappointing or anxiety-inducing, it does not equate to psychological harm. Alpert believes that college should prepare students for the realities of adulthood, where performance is evaluated and feedback is not always cushioned, suggesting that learning to cope with negative experiences is a vital part of development.