EXEMPTION FROM ENGLISH A

Approximately five hundred Freshmen are caught annually in the net of English A. Aside from its questionable merits, the fact that it does not count towards a degree makes it a distasteful dose of medicine. The hope is held out that if a student gets an A at mid-years, he may drop the subject. The small number of students, about 12 a year, that can obtain this exemption indicates the severity of the requirement, which should be lowered to a full B.

A grade of C at the end of the year is considered proof of a sufficient knowldege of English for a college student. Since there are no mid-year examinations, and the November "Hours" usually include a theme, the principal basis for the marks are written compositions. The main test, therefore, is ability to write good English, which would be fully proven by a mark of "B" at mid-years.

One may argue that the instructors would be faced with the delicate problem of deciding whether a student's work is a low B or a full B. A similar issue arises at present, however, since the teacher must decide whether a high B student is eligible for a low A or not. It is also claimed that marks fluctuate, in some instances, between mid-years and finals, but it is inconceivable that a student, who had been exempted with a B, would fall to a D, or below the satisfactory final mark, if he had stayed in the course.

The exorbitant requirement of A, combined with the fact that the course does not count towards a degree, provided little incentive for hard work. A more reasonable exemption mark; on the other hand, would stimulate effort. Most students can not consider the course as anything less than a penalty. B is an honor grade and should be considered sufficient to remove this chastisement.