Policy

Final Examinations or Other Evaluative Substitution

Final examinations are expected in all undergraduate courses unless other evaluative substitute procedures have been approved by the department chair or dean of the academic division. Final examinations or duly approved substitutions may be completed during the final examination days following the end of each semester, term, or sprint course as noted in the academic calendar. Neither final examinations nor tests of fifty (50) minutes or of greater length shall be given during the seven calendar days preceding the first study day of the final examination period at the conclusion of fall or spring semester. The above regulations do not apply to laboratory final examinations. No final examination, including laboratory final examination, may be given during study days. Exceptions to these rules require the approval of the department chair, the academic dean, and the Provost.

Schedule Changes for Final Examinations or Other Evaluative Substitution

No student shall be required to take four (4) or more scheduled final examinations in any 24-hour period or three (3) or more scheduled final examinations in a given day. If a student has four (4) or more final examinations in any 24-hour period or three (3) or more scheduled final examinations in a given day, then one (1) of those examinations (or two (2) of those examinations, if the student has five (5) or more examinations in a 24-hour period or four (4) or more examinations in a given day) may be changed to a later time with the consent of the instructor, or to an earlier time with the consent of both the instructor and the dean of the academic division in which the course is given. In cases where a student is scheduled for four (4) or more final examinations in any 24-hour period or for three (3) or more final examinations in a given day and no agreement as stated above can be reached, the Provost shall be empowered to make necessary adjustments.

University policy prohibits any individual student’s final examination to be rescheduled except in extraordinary circumstances beyond the student’s control (e.g., death in the family or serious medical issue).  In this situation, an attempt should be made to reschedule the examination at a later time rather than an earlier time if possible. Rescheduling an examination in such cases to a later time requires the consent of the instructor.  Advancing the examination to an earlier time during finals week requires the consent of the instructor, the department chair/program director, and the dean of the academic division in which the course is given. Advancing an examination prior to finals week for an extraordinary situation requires the consent of the instructor, the department chair/program director, and the dean of the academic division in which the course is given as well as the Provost.

During final examinations week, an instructor may not reschedule a regularly scheduled class examination except in extraordinary circumstances, in which case an attempt should be made to reschedule the examination at a later time rather than an earlier time if possible. Rescheduling any class final examination requires the instructor to obtain the consent of the department chair/program director and the dean of the academic division in which the course is given.

Examinations and Additional Class Requirements During the Semester

Examinations and additional class requirements given other than during scheduled class meetings and the final examination periods do not take precedence over regularly scheduled classes or final examinations. In order that students might avoid scheduling conflicts, such examinations and additional class requirements should be scheduled on a course management system prior to the beginning of a semester. If it becomes necessary during the semester to hold an examination or class requirement other than during the scheduled class meeting, the instructor should search for a time which does not conflict with other scheduled courses in which any of his or her students are enrolled. For students whose participation in regularly scheduled classes precludes attendance at the additional examination or class requirement time, it is the responsibility of the instructor requiring the examination and/or additional class requirement to provide an alternative meeting time.

Related Form(s)

Not Applicable.

Additional Resources and Procedures

Not Applicable.

FAQ

Not Applicable.

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2023

Responsible Officer

• Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
• Senior Vice President, Enrollment Management and Student Success
• Associate Provost

Legal Authority

Not Applicable.

Compliance Policy

No

Revision History

Amended July 2018

Reference ID

Student Handbook 1.4

Reviewing Bodies

Administrative