Students will have to check Net for grades |
Mike Terry |
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Beginning fall semester, the university will stop mailing report cards, and students will only be able to access their grades through CougarNet. According to Christa Oxford, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management and registrar, the university will save approximately $10,000 and 220 staff hours per year by eliminating the mailing of grades. "The main reason we are doing this is to save money," Oxford said while addressing student government March 9. Besides being able to access grades several days earlier than they would by mail, students will also be able to view their report cards when away from home. The university also hopes this will eliminate problems with the post office. The St. Louis Post Office accidentally stored more than 11,000 SIUE report cards in a Christmas overflow building in Hazelwood, Mo., for two weeks after Christmas. Judging by the increase in hits on CougarNet and lack of concern among the students after the mix up, Oxford said the assumption was made that most students are already using the Internet grade system, which has been in place for more than a year. Other schools including St. Louis University and Washington University have also eliminated the mailing of grades and have received very few complaints. Students on probation or academic suspension will still have their grades mailed. Hard copies can be requested by anyone needing official proof of grades for tuition reimbursement, insurance and good student discounts. | |