University of Georgia professor Dr Richard Watson is teaching two fall business courses and has introduced a policy where students can change their grades

A University of Georgia professor has enacted a 'stress reduction policy' aimed at allowing students to choose their own grades in hopes of soothing those who 'feel unduly stressed' by their earned ones.

Professor Dr Richard Watson is teaching two fall business courses and has introduced the policy because 'emotional reactions to stressful situation scan have profound consequences for all involved.'

In an emailed response, Dr. Watson who said that his syllabus haven't been solidified so the policy isn't currently listed.

'There is no such policy on the current web site,' he said in the email.

'I’ve been making many changes over the last week in preparation for going live next week when classes start.'

According to the syllabi obtained by Campus Reform, students can 'email the instructor indicating what grade [they] think is appropriate, and it will be so changed' and there will be 'no explanation.'

Additionally, the policy states that 'If in a group meeting, you feel stressed by your group's dynamics, you should leave the meeting immediately and need offer no explanation to the group members,' with the further option to 'discontinue all fruther group work' as their grade is then 'based totally on non-group work.'

The classes - called Data Management and Energy Informatics - will also have 'open book and open notes' test that are 'designed to assess low level mastery of the course material.'

According to the syllabi, students can 'email the instructor indicating what grade [they] think is appropriate, and it will be so changed' with 'no explanation'

Dr Watson does continue by enforcing a 'only positive comments' zone when doing in-class presentations. If further comments are needed for improvement, they will be 'communicated by email.'

However, the professor - a Regents Professor having earned the title for being a 'truly distinguished faculty - does note that 'If in a group meeting, you feel stressed by your group's dynamics, you should leave the meeting immediately and need offer no explanation to the group members,' it is ultimately the student's 'responsibility' to hold themselves accountable.

Dr Watson does add that he promises to 'provide every opportunity for [students] to gain high level mastery.'