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Rest in peace, economics curve. Beginning this semester, the dreaded "Wharton curve" historically attached to micro and macroeconomics classes will be abolished. The curve -- dictated by the economics department for all sections of the two entry-level courses -- mandated that only one-third of students in each section could receive an A for the semester. One-third were forced to receive a grade of C or lower. "The grades will be decided on by individual faculty," acting Economics Department Chair Kenneth Wolpin said. The newest change in policy is one in a long line of modifications made to Economics 001, microeconomics, and Economics 002, macroeconomics, in recent years. For example, the number of sections taught each semester has decreased, thus increasing the number of students in each section. Wolpin said that because there are fewer sections and fewer professors teaching the courses each semester, less regulation is needed in the department. "The curve was established to maintain consistency," Wolpin said. "We didn't think we needed to maintain that kind of consistency." And since a large portion of College and Wharton underclassmen are enrolled in the two classes, a sigh of relief -- and not the traditional "econ scream" -- might now be echoing through the Quadrangle. Upon hearing the news, many students said they were hopeful that the extreme competition found in economics courses would subside. "I've noticed that when the professor speaks, everyone is tense," College sophomore and microeconomics student Emily Quesada said. "Hopefully, without the curve, students will learn a little more for learning's sake." Wharton freshman Karen Boback, who is also taking microeconomics, feared the curve prior to enrolling in the class. "I figured that it would most likely negatively affect my grade," Boback said. "Hopefully, without the curve, it'll motivate people to work harder. You can earn the grade that you truly deserve." Wolpin said that, despite the historic distaste that students had for the curve, their voices were not the driving force behind the change. "We had been making a number of changes to the course over the last several years," Wolpin said. "We did not get much input from students." A few years ago, the curve was changed to increase the percentage of students who received grades of B or higher from 50 percent to 66 percent. Some students feel that although the curve is gone, the essence of the curve will remain. "It seems to me that it would be too easy for them to start doling out As," College freshman and macroeconomics student Brooks Baskin said. Baskin believes that it's not the curve that frightens students in the class -- it's the cutthroat nature of their peers. "I think they're not so much scared of [the curve]," he said. "It brings out huge competition between the students, and hopefully this can eliminate that." But not all students believe that competition will be sacrificed if grades go up. "I think it'll increase competition," said Engineering freshman John Brooks, who is currently enrolled in microeconomics. "I think more kids will probably end up getting As and Bs." And Wolpin said he believes that the days of the department-wide regulations are over. "We view this as a permanent change," he said.

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