Get Rid of Extra Credit

By Richard MacTough
News Editor

Extra credit should not be given to students for lectures, events and other opportunities when many do not take it seriously.

Why should students be rewarded with more credit for classes to attend events?

Students refuse to show respect to many speakers by not speaking about the topics presented to them and leaving before the presenter is done talking.

I helped out a guest speaker last year with her discussion about overcoming bipolar disorder and her brother’s suicide.

I feel that many in the audience should have cared about the discussion.

Instead, I saw many students with their cell phones out, ignoring the presenter. They were a distraction for those who did care about what they were learning.

Extra Credit for partaking in activities creates an idea that students deserve to be rewarded.

In a community of education, students should simply feel honored that they have a supplemental educational opportunity.

In one of the biggest party schools of the state, it would not hurt for students to be serious and engaged in extracurricular activities for once.

Individuals should be looking participating in at least one event a week.

Not doing so hurts our school’s reflection and students who look forward to getting jobs after college.

For instance, the college community was invited by The Political Science Club to witness a mock debate for the 2016 Presidential Election.

Many thought more students would seize this as an opportunity to learn about the election that will dramatically impact our country.

There should not be extra credit to force students to learn about their civic duties. Civic Duties are an individual’s responsibility.

One Book, One Campus has seen attendance from mostly first year experience students. They are required to go by the course syllabus, but it should not be a course in the first place. I see very little participation, and forcing freshman attendance at an event does not always make the situation better. We need improved student representation for such opportunities.

Monroe County United—an organization that started a couple months ago—has brought two community presentations on campus.

They hoped more young people would come to share their ideas regarding how to unite the country on the issue of police officers and the deaths of unarmed black men over the past couple of years.

The ideas and discussions could have a major influence on students.

College students are the future. We need to participate in discussions and give our thoughts without expecting academic credit for them.

That expectation creates an atmosphere where students look at their contributions as just another assignment and not simply as an innovational idea that can change the world.

Email Richard at:
rmactough@live.esu.edu