As an Anthropology and International and Global Studies major, math and science are not my fortes-although not for lack of interest. My brain just can't seem to wrap itself around equations, functions, graphs and chemical combinations-I'm getting a headache just thinking about it.So of course I was thrilled when I got to college, where unlike high school, I found myself free to take classes in anything I wanted. The thorn in my side, however, was the general University requirements in quantitative reasoning and the School of Science. The problem is not that I wouldn't love to take a class in say, neuroscience-I find the functions of the human brain quite fascinating. The problem is that the work in said neuroscience course would be nearly impossible for me, but the grade would still show up on my transcript and count toward my GPA. For that reason, my current plan is to take the easiest, least scientific science course possible to fill that requirement.

But that plan could change. Two weeks ago, the Student Union proposed a new initiative called Pass/Fail Plus. If created, the initiative would allow students to take one course that fulfills general university requirements on a pass/fail basis, which under the current system we are not permitted to do.

Understandably, there is some anxiety about what effects this new proposal might have. University Registrar Mark Hewitt said in an interview with the Justice that he "would just be concerned that this Pass/Fail Plus option would simply increase students trying to pad their GPAs," and that "in some cases, a pass would allow students not to work as hard." Hewitt's concerns are quite valid, of course. Many students could easily take advantage of this new option to either put in less effort or "pad" their GPAs. But these concerns should not stop the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee from passing such a proposal.

Firstly, many students who will use the Pass/Fail Plus option are already trying to protect their GPAs by taking easier courses to fill University requirements. If the UCC does not pass the initiative, it will not stop students from trying to keep their GPAs up.

Secondly, students who do use Pass/Fail Plus to fulfill their requirements will still be motivated to do the coursework. Multiple Ps on a transcript instead of actual grades could be just as harmful as a lower GPA. Therefore, students might see Pass/Fail Plus as a safety net if the course work is particularly difficult. However, they will still do the coursework to avoid the need to cover a low grade with a P.

This university prides itself on being a liberal arts institution, and our general University requirements are in place to ensure that students actually get a diverse liberal arts education. But despite the intended purpose of the requirements, they don't necessarily provide a truly diverse educational experience. In reality, not all students are naturally good at everything. Some students, like myself, struggle in math and science while excelling in the humanities or vice versa. When students opt for easier courses, they're not getting as well-rounded an education as the general requirements are intended to provide. However, if the Pass/Fail Plus initiative were passed, students would be given an opportunity to take harder classes of greater interest without having to worry too much about what their grade would look like in the end. This initiative has the potential to bring students out of their academic shells: I, for example, could take neuroscience-a subject I'm genuinely interested in-knowing that my GPA wouldn't drop a whole grade point. Pass/Fail Plus could actually enhance our university requirements by giving students a chance to get a real taste of all the disciplines Brandeis has to offer, while still maintaining their GPAs.

As an institution that values a well-rounded liberal arts education, Brandeis should accept the Pass/Fail Plus proposal for the benefit of its students. If the UCC passes the proposal, it could open up many educational opportunities for students. I, for one, will be taking that neuroscience class.