Kelley School ⁤of business ⁢Tightens Standards: A Shift‌ in Admissions and grading

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business is facing scrutiny over⁣ recent changes to both its⁢ admissions criteria ‍and grading policies,‍ sparking ‍concerns ‍among students and​ parents about fairness and transparency. ⁤These shifts come as teh school experiences a surge​ in applications, leading administrators to seemingly ⁣tighten standards.

Rising Admissions standards & a Controversial Change

Kelley has seen ⁣a dramatic increase ‍in applications​ – reportedly around 27,000 for approximately 2,000 spots – ‌prompting⁢ a raise in the minimum grade required for automatic ​admission from a B to a B-plus, ⁣effective for ⁢the current⁤ incoming cohort. This change has been met with backlash from families like that of Christopher Duff, whose son had already committed to Indiana University based on the previously stated B requirement.Duff ​labeled the⁣ change a “bait and switch,” arguing the school altered the rules after commitments were made,‌ leaving⁢ students with limited recourse.He alleges a meeting with the undergraduate ‍admissions director, Alex Bruce, revealed the‌ school had over-committed for the ‌incoming class.

Grading Policies Under Scrutiny

Alongside the admissions changes,Kelley is also implementing stricter grading practices. The school will now enforce ⁤a ‍grade distribution, mirroring policies at⁤ institutions like Columbia​ Business School. ⁤Moreover, a new attendance policy for ​Career and Professional Success (CPS) ​courses will penalize ‌students for absences: three⁢ absences are permitted without penalty, but subsequent absences result in​ grade deductions – one-third of the final grade after​ four, a full letter grade after five, and automatic‍ failure after six, with exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis.

These changes are occurring ⁢alongside a ‌requirement for ​all Kelley students to‍ complete CPS courses⁣ focused on ‌soft skills like team building and business communication.Faculty ​members express concern that the ⁤new GPA targets create an artificial ceiling on student ‌achievement, hindering the mastery-based learning these ‍CPS courses⁢ aim to foster.

Lack of Transparency & Administrative Response

The Kelley School has been largely ‌unresponsive to direct questions regarding the grade recalibration. A spokesperson provided a statement emphasizing the school’s commitment to “rigorous ‌and fair” courses that‍ support student advancement and reflect performance quality,while ensuring ⁤”fair and ‌consistent” ‌grade distribution.​ This statement closely aligns with the messaging faculty⁣ have been instructed to deliver to concerned students and parents.

The combination of these changes, coupled with the lack of clear communication, has ⁤fueled speculation about a intentional effort to reduce the⁢ student population and maintain kelley’s ​selectivity in the face of increased​ demand. While administrators maintain a​ separation between admissions and academic departments, some, like Duff, remain skeptical.

HHS Lawyers Advise NIH Against Re-Terminating⁢ Restored Grants

WASHINGTON – Lawyers with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are advising‍ the National Institutes of ⁢Health ⁣(NIH) to refrain from re-terminating approximately 900 grants-totaling $783 million-that were previously‌ restored following a court ⁣order, according to a report by Science. The advice comes after⁤ the Supreme Court recently overturned the initial court ‍order, but a lower court ⁣ruling finding‍ the original directives for grant termination unlawful remains⁢ in effect.

The grants were initially canceled by NIH, but a June court decision compelled the agency⁣ to reinstate them. HHS⁣ lawyers now caution that attempting to terminate the reinstated grants could be seen as​ a renewed submission of the previously deemed unlawful directives.

“For those grants reinstated by NIH​ in response to the June judgements,‌ we would strongly recommend against re-terminating such grants, as it ⁣will ⁣likely be viewed as a reapplication of the now-vacated ​challenged directives,” NIH⁢ legal adviser David Lankford wrote, as reported by Science.

While the HHS legal counsel recommends against re-termination, Science notes that political appointees at NIH could disregard the ⁤advice. The agency may also have increased adaptability in the⁢ next ⁤fiscal year‍ to⁢ cut funding for​ grants deemed misaligned with the management’s priorities.