I am writing to provide some context for the Add/Drop motion that I have made. My motion extends the current periods by 2 days each. The add/drop periods presently stand at 6 days to drop and 8 to add. The ASUO Senate and Executive are approached on a continual basis by students that the current dates are not adequate to determine the pace of a coarse. This is found to be especially true in classes that meet 1 or 2 times per week. UO Students are not the only ones who have realized the need for longer add/drop dates, as a matter of fact the UO has the most stringent policy on add/drop dates out of any PAC 10 school. This is an issue that is greater than PAC 10 equity. It is an issue of fairness. I can state unequivocally that it is not fair to place a student who dropped a class on the 7th or 8th academic day with those who have dropped after taking the midterm. Currently these two situations are labeled as the same by a 'W'. Being that this is a persistent problem in students lives I urge you to support this motion.
The 2 day extension will provide a better learning environment. Students that want to be in a class will, while those that prefer not to be won't. Academic quality will not only improve for the class room as a whole, but also for the individual. Add/Drop extension allows students to take classes that are manageable yet challenging.
The notion that students will not be able to catch up if they add on the 10th day is not entirely true. Many students will go to a class even if they are not enrolled in it. For those who decide to add on the 10th academic day it is important to note that it is their academic decision. This is like many of the other academic decisions that students make (going to class, studying for a test...).
I hope that this gives you a deeper understanding of the motivation of the Add/Drop extension. Please feel free to call or email me with questions.
Thank you,
Michael Olson
Associated Students of the University of Oregon Senate President (541.346.3749)