Final Exam

Policy

Final Week Schedule

The final week schedule is set by the Registrar’s Office before the start of a semester. On-campus courses and synchronous online courses must meet at the designated time and date, and within the established time limit set by the final week schedule. The day and time for an asynchronous online course is at the discretion of the instructor but will take place during the final week of the semester and documented in the syllabus. Exceptions to the final week schedule must have approval from the appropriate academic dean and the Provost’s Office.

Week 15

No comprehensive examination may be given during Week 15 of fall or spring semester. Comprehensive laboratory examinations not subject to the final week schedule will be exempt. Any other assignment due during Week 15 may account for no more than 25 percent of a student’s overall grade.

Final Week Options

No university or college policy, procedure, or standard shall govern the content of a final week for a course. An instructor may use the final week period for a variety of pedagogically appropriate options including a written exam, an oral exam, presentations, a poster session, a Socratic session, reflective discussion of the course, and other creative opportunities. Student concerns about faculty completing a course prior to the final week of the term may be brought to the appropriate academic dean.

Common Exam

Common Exam for multiple sections of a course is acceptable. A Common Exam day and time must have approval from the appropriate academic dean, must be scheduled with the Registrar’s Office before the term starts, and must be documented in the course schedule and course syllabi.

Two-Exam Limit and Student Conflicts

Students are not required to take more than two exams on any day. A student with three (3) or more exams in one day as scheduled by the University may appeal to any of the instructors to reschedule one of the exams. Should the instructor(s) be unwilling to reschedule, the appropriate academic dean(s) shall decide a remedy.

Students with reasonable conflicts (e.g., scheduled athletic events, conferences) are responsible for making appropriate arrangements with the instructor as soon as their schedule is determined.

Office Hours

Teaching faculty are expected to have scheduled office hours during the final week. Because of the changing schedule of the final week, faculty will publicize their final week office hours.

Limits on Administration

Administration recognizes support for students is the main priority for faculty and academic advisors during Finals Week. With only rare exceptions, Administration will refrain from scheduling meetings or assigning additional tasks involving faculty or academic advisors during Finals Week.

Procedure

Rationale

The final week of a semester is an integral part of a course.

Arbitrary changes to the day and/or time of a final week schedule may lead to conflicts for students, classroom availability conflicts, and result in students taking more exams in one day than is reasonable.