The Council on Academic Affairs met Thursday and approved an amended credit/no-credit proposal for the Spring 2021 semester.

The proposal, which passed on a 5-3 vote, was submitted by the editorial board of The Daily Eastern News, and News Editor Corryn Brock attended the meeting that presented the proposal.

Different forms of credit/no-credit options were in place for both the Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters.

The amendments were that students would need to have a consultation with their advisor or chair of their department, a window from May 12 to May 21 to decide whether or not to use the option and a maximum of two courses that can be changed to credit or no-credit. These amendments were made in order to avoid a blanket policy that may have been misused or misunderstood by students.

Eastern Provost Jay Gatrell said that an email will be sent to students next week that will detail the options and how to use them.

As part of her presentation, Brock provided feedback from students across campus regarding a potential credit/no-credit option.

“As student journalists, we hear a lot from people on issues that they have around campus, and that’s something that a lot of us have heard a lot about,” Brock said. She added many of the students she had spoken to had expressed that the lack of a spring break caused stress to build and negatively affect their mental health.

Billy Hung, an associate professor in the life sciences department, was one of the council members who voiced support for the proposal.

“We should recognize the unusual circumstances that we are in, and if the students feel like this is a usual step to help them navigate through the semester, then I am in support of it,” Hung said.

Marita Gronnvoll, a professor and assistant in the School of Communication and Journalism, was not in favor of the proposal. She said that she was concerned that some students would use the option as a sort of panic button if struggling in classes.

“I am absolutely in favor of working with students who have extraordinary circumstances, but I think to throw this out as a solution for all students is just misguided.”

Joining Gronnvoll in opposition to the proposal were council members Rick Wilkinson and Abidalrahman Moh’d.

CAA Chair Claudia Janssen Danyi along with council members Greg Aydt, Amy Rosenstein and Student Vice President of Academic Affairs Justin Richards, along with Hung, voted in favor.

The next CAA meeting is scheduled for April 29 at 2 p.m., and it is the last scheduled meeting of the semester.

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].