Harvard faculty cite grade inflation, disengaged students
A Harvard faculty committee (the Classroom Social Compact Committee) concluded that many undergraduates are skipping class, not doing assigned readings, avoiding challenging discussion and yet still earning degrees due to widespread grade inflation. The report — publicized by The New York Times and discussed by faculty leaders including David Laibson and Dean Hopi Hoekstra — notes A grades rose to about 60% of outcomes and has prompted some professors to require attendance and ban device use this fall; the findings arrive amid prior federal scrutiny and a reported $2.2 billion funding freeze tied to campus antisemitism concerns.
Education
Politics
📌 Key Facts
- A Harvard faculty committee released findings that many students skip class, avoid rigorous engagement, and benefit from rampant grade inflation.
- Harvard’s undergraduate dean reported that A grades rose from roughly 40% to about 60% of issued grades.
- Professors have begun enforcing attendance and device‑use rules this fall in response to the committee’s report; the story also references a prior federal action that froze about $2.2 billion in funding tied to antisemitism concerns.