BAD MARKS ON GRADES; If Asked, Harvard School Won't Tell
Posted on: Friday, 2 December 2005, 21:00 CST
By JAY FITZGERALD
Harvard Business School is reviewing its policy of not disclosing graduate students' grades to prospective employers under any conditions, amid concerns it's encouraging academic slacking along the Charles.
But students say the current system reduces unnecessary competition at the prestigious business school - and if any changes are made, then the entire grading system needs reviewing.
Earlier this week, Richard Ruback, chairman of Harvard's MBA program, said the school is now examining its seven-year-old ban on disclosing grades.
"In many ways, non-disclosure is inconsistent with our mission of developing outstanding business leaders," Ruback wrote.
"Much of what business leaders do is define, measure and seek ways to enhance performance. Non-disclosure seems to signal to outsiders - including our alumni - that we do not believe performance matters."
Ruback praised the vast majority of students as hard workers.
"(But) we have heard numerous students say they feel little motivation to excel because they conclude early on" that the only things recruiters can judge them on are awards and scholarships at HBS, he wrote.
In recent articles in the Harvard Crimson, some students have acknowledged problems with the "non-disclosure" rule, implemented in 1998 at the height of the dot-com frenzy.
But Alex Michael, co-president of the HBS Student Association, said there's also concern that students might take more of an interest in outshining their peers and become less interested in cooperation and social networking if grades are released to recruiters.
Students are now conducting a poll to gauge sentiment toward the proposed rule change - and it appears so far a majority oppose altering the system, he said.
HBS administrators have said any changes to the rule would not affect current students.
Caption: MUDDY WATERS: Harvard Business School is reviewing its current policy under which grades are not disclosed. STAFF PHOTO BY MATTHEW WEST
Source: Boston Herald
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