General News of Tuesday, 28 August 2001

Source: GNA

UCC reviews sanctions against students, but grading system unchanged

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) said it has reviewed the sanctions it imposed on nine students for their involvement in the demonstration, which temporarily disrupted the 31st congregation in March.

The seven final year students, whose results were to be withheld for three years would now have them withheld for two years, while the two continuing students, who were to be each rusticated for two academic years have had it reduced to a year each.

A release issued by the Registrar said the UCC Council requested the Academic Board to review the punishment meted out to the students following representations made on their behalf.

The release, however, pointed out that the main structure of the examination grading system, which triggered off the demonstration, remained unchanged and that among other things the minimum pass mark was still 50 per cent while the Grade 'A' score also remained between 80-100 per cent.

It explained that the pass level of degree classification, which was 1.5-1.9 has, however, been widened to include Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.0-1.9 and that prior to this, CGPA of 1.0-1.44, was regarded as a failure.

The release noted that the widening of the level of degree classification was to enhance the chances of students, who complete a program of studies to obtain at least a pass degree.

It said a three-member committee has be set up to present "a comprehensive paper," which would explain in detail to students and the general public the UCC grading system