Feelings of frustration and disappointment have grown among members of the student body after Suffolk University’s decision to not implement a pass/fail grading option for the fall semester was announced by Provost Julie Sandell early last week. In an email to students, Sandell and the administration outlined why implementing a pass/fail option could hurt prospective employment opportunities for students. Simultaneously, they reassured students that their concerns about the matter are being heard and taken into consideration.
But during the SGA meeting on Thursday, November 19th, Senators and students rebuked the administration’s arguments. Particularly, the discussion revolved around mental health crises students are currently facing as a result of the pandemic and online school. Senator Meagan Dyer issued a statement echoing that sentiment.
“Mental health cannot be taken lightly. What we saw in the survey comments were unsettling to say the least and I am baffled and upset that our administration does not want to hear about the substance. A student that is thinking of taking substances due to the stressors of today should be heard. A student who is struggling from losing someone they love should be heard. A student who is struggling to wake up in the morning should be heard. I have never seen the university care so little about their students, for what? A pass-fail option that WE are paying for. We swallowed the pill on tuition but what harm is this doing towards the entire university besides showing that you all do not care for our mental health! I encourage any student who is feeling internal and external pressures today, know you are not alone, please reach out to CHW, please reach out to your friends, please reach out to anyone in SGA. Know that SGA cares about your health and safety and all of us will work to alleviate the pressures of today.”
Dyer’s comments were reiterated by multiple Senators, including Mason Sawyer Lafferty. Senator Lafferty expressed how students “are putting in more effort than ever before” but how “they aren’t being seen.” He commended SGA for being proactive and listening to students’ concerns, issuing a survey on the pass/fail matter which garnered more than 700 responses, and ultimately passing a resolution in support of implementing a pass/fail option. Despite these efforts, as Lafferty stated, he doesn’t feel that the administration is truly listening to the student body: “We [SGA] hear them, do you?”
Other Senators expressed how they simply felt frustrated: “I’m just angry,” Senator Kostas Loukos said, “all they care about is money.” Senator Logan Casey lambasted the Suffolk administration for “benefiting off our [the student body’s] ideas without acknowledging our presence.” He continued by saying “I’m not being listened to for anything . . . they don’t care.”
Present for part of the meeting was Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Ann Coyne. The Dean attempted to reassure students that the administration is actively listening to students’ concerns: “We care very much about students . . . I get that you’re disappointed,” she said.
While Coyne’s effort to comfort was welcomed by some, others still found themselves feeling disappointed. Senator Tara Maltese acknowledged that “students are putting themselves through a mental health crisis to continue their education” at Suffolk. Former Senator Chessa MacKenzie mentioned that many schools in the greater-Boston area do have a pass/fail option in place and that Suffolk should follow suit.
Following their remarks, student Cesar Guzman spoke to SGA about his thoughts on the matter. Guzman, a senior, spoke to how he is currently working three jobs in addition to being enrolled as a Suffolk student. He conveyed that he is actively helping his family financially all the while trying to finish his last year at Suffolk and obtain his degree. Guzman echoed Senators’ previous statements about the “need” for a pass/fail option.
Mental health emerged as perhaps the most integral theme of SGA’s general meeting. Many argued that amid a mental health crisis, the Suffolk administration should be doing more to help alleviate abounding student concerns and stresses. In her statement, Senator Dyer urged students to reach out to the Counseling Health and Wellness (CHW) department if they are experiencing severe mental health issues.
CHW can be reached at 617-573-8226. They are located on the 5th floor of 73 Tremont Street.
If students are experiencing potentially life-threatening mental health crises, they can reach out to CHW, call 911, or call one of the following hotlines (some of which are available on Massachusetts’ Crisis Hotline website):
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Spanish: 1-866-628-9454
- Deaf or Hard-Hearing: 1-800-799-4889
- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
- Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: 1-800-841-8371
- National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)