FROM:
F70 Except for honors, problems, seminar, reports, research, laboratory
practical, language, studio and fine arts performances, and these courses, the
last examination (last unit or comprehensive test) in a course must be given
during the examination period specified by the Joint Committee on Academic
Policy and Procedures and which is published in the class schedule. Once the
final examination time for a course is published in the class schedule, it may
be changed only with the concurrence of the Joint Committee on Academic Policy
and Procedures, university provost, president of Faculty Senate, and president
of the student body. No examinations other than those listed above may be
given during the last five calendar days before final examinations. Classes
may have take-home examinations, projects, papers, or other media in lieu of
written final examinations as the last evaluation instrument in the class. In
such instances, a deadline for submittal of the medium may not be earlier than
the time of the end of the scheduled examination period for the course
published in the class schedule. (FSM 3/20/90)
TO:
F70 Semester final examinations are scheduled by the Committee on Academic
Policy and Procedures. Once the final examination time for a course is
published on the web under "Course Schedules," it may be changed only with the
concurrence of the university provost. Faculty members may assign take-home
examinations, projects, papers or other media in lieu of a written final
examination. In such instances, the deadline for submittal of the alternative
assessment may not be earlier than the end of the scheduled final examination
period for the course.
Except for honors, problems, seminar, reports, research, laboratory practical, language, studio and fine arts performance classes, the last examination (either unit or comprehensive) must be given during the final examination period published on the web. No examinations (unit or final) may be scheduled during the seven calendar days prior to the first day of the academic calendar reserved solely for semester final examinations.
Rationale
In a letter to President Wefald and Provost Coffman dated October 31, 2002,
John O'Hara (Student Senate Chair) and Seth Bridge (Academic Affairs and
University Relations Chair) requested that no examinations (unit or
comprehensive) be given during the last seven calendar days before final
examination week. They cite "the students' need to be free during the week
preceding the most important week of the semester, finals week. For many
students the grade that they will receive for the semester relies heavily on
their performance on the final exam. We believe that it is essential to
allow students the freedom to put in the necessary work that will ensure
success on their final exams. " In a letter to Al Cochran and Jackie Spears
dated November 7, 2002, Provost Coffman conveyed his and President Wefald's
support of the change.
Effective: Fall 2003