Examinations

The final examinations for each semester and summer term are scheduled by the registrar. Classes that meet at the same time during a semester also have a common examination time. An index of these examination times is included in the Course Schedule. Near the end of each semester and term, the complete examination schedule is distributed to academic offices; the examination schedule for a specific class is available through the Office of the Registrar’s website. Students may access their individual examination schedules through the site.

Examinations should begin promptly at the scheduled hour and should not continue beyond the three hours allocated in the official schedule.

No final examinations may be given before the examination period begins, and no change in time from that printed in the official schedule is permitted without approval. An instructor with a compelling reason to change the time of an examination must obtain the approval of the department chair and the dean of the college or school in which the course is taught before announcing an alternative examination procedure to the students. No substantial examinations may be given during the last class week or during the reading days and the no-class days preceding the final examination period. An examination is considered to be substantial if it counts for more than 30 percent of the final course grade. A change in the room assignment for a final examination may be made only with the approval of the registrar.

The no-class days preceding final examinations are not to be used as dates on which papers are to be turned in, examinations are to be given, quizzes are to be scheduled, or for any other class-related activity, other than office hours. In addition, the final examination period is reserved for scheduled final examinations. No other class-related activity, with the exception of office hours, may be scheduled during the final examination period.

With the approval of the department chair, an instructor may choose not to give a final examination. However, if an examination is given, all students must take it and no exemptions may be allowed except pursuant to a uniform exemption policy announced to the class.

For good cause, an instructor may give a student permission to take an examination with a different class section than the one in which the student is registered.

For good cause, a student may petition his or her academic dean for permission to change the time or place of an examination from that specified in the official schedule. If permission is given by the dean and the instructor, no penalty (such as a reduction in grade) may be assessed.

In a course extending over two semesters, when the subject matter is continuous, the second-semester final examination may include the subject matter of the first semester.

A student may address complaints related to the final examination procedures in a course to the chair of the department or the dean of the college or school in which the course is offered, or to the Office of the Student Ombuds.

The following instructions govern the conduct of final examinations as well as other examinations given during the semester:

• Students must be informed that all written work handed in by them is considered to be their own work, prepared without unauthorized assistance.
• Students should be asked to cooperate in maintaining the integrity of examinations and encouraged to inform the instructor, without specifying the offenders, when cheating goes on in class.
• Instructors are responsible for advising students of the rules governing examinations and for supervising examinations in their respective classes. They, or their representatives, must remain in the examination room and take necessary actions to ensure an orderly examination and minimize the temptations and opportunities for cheating.
• Students are expected to (a) remain in the examination room until the test is completed; (b) refrain from talking; and (c) leave all notes and books where they are not accessible during the examination unless otherwise directed by the instructor.
• An instructor who suspects academic dishonesty must report the case to the Office of the Dean of Students.