The pass/fail option is absolutely necessary during these unprecedented times. If courses are only offered online, then it is only fair to present students this option. Experts are saying that “the mental, emotional and academic impacts of the shift to remote learning are likely going to be challenging.” Many students are struggling to adjust to the new format for several reasons. Lack of hands-on experience, unsuitable study spaces and increased distractions are just a few of the reasons remote learning is challenging students.  

Working remotely means students must voluntarily organize their many conflicting schedules from home, and because of the stressful nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and online classes in general, college students are very, very stressed out right now. Though, this may not be news to you.  I asked the editorial board of The Seahawk how each of them has personally handled remote learning and stress during the past few months.

On Monday afternoon UNC Chapel Hill announced, after reports of several coronavirus (COVID-19) clusters on campus, the university will be shifting to remote instruction effective Aug. 19 -- a “cluster” is defined as “as 5 or more cases with linkage between cases,” by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

It is undeniable that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed all of our lives in just a few months. According to John Hopkins data, the U.S. is leading the world in the number of...