Examinations

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  1. Final Examinations
    Final examinations may be scheduled or self-scheduled, at the professor’s discretion. The professor shall indicate on each course syllabus whether or not the final examination in the course is scheduled. Faculty who choose to give self-scheduled exams must use the scheduled exam times. Thus, students in courses with self-scheduled exams must schedule them during the times listed by the Registrar. Students who have three or more scheduled exams in one day may petition the Associate Dean for Arts and Sciences or the Head of the Petrie School of Music to reschedule the last of the three exams for another day. The following procedures should be followed:
    1. Any instructions necessary for the taking of the examination should be supplied in writing.
    2. The time limit for the final examination is three hours. No examinations are distributed to students before the beginning of the final examination period. Students completing take home examinations must return the examination at the time designated by the professor.
    3. Students schedule their own final examinations subject to the following regulations:
      1. During the last week of the term, the instructor distributes examination envelopes to the students. On this occasion, each student indicates in the space provided on the envelope their name, the desired day and period for the examination, and returns the envelope to the instructor.
      2. A student may take a maximum of one examination per session. All students are advised to spread their examinations over the entire examination period. Freshmen should spread their examinations over at least three days at the end of the fall and spring terms if they are taking the normal load of four regular courses. If they are taking more than four regular courses, they should use all four examination days.
      3. A schedule change can be made only with the permission of the instructor.
      4. Students may pick up examination questions from the instructor or other person designated by the instructor within the first fifteen (15) minutes of the examination period from the instructor’s office or other designated place. Any changes to the time for picking up the examinations is left to the discretion of the instructor. If a student does not pick up their examination during the scheduled time, they will need to reschedule it for another examination session.
      5. Unless otherwise specified by the instructor, each examination should be answered in “blue books” which the student must provide. These can be purchased from the campus bookstore. If errors are made in the “blue book” and a fresh page is needed, the student should turn the pages down by folding, not tearing the page from the “blue book.” Instructors are asked not to grade an examination from which a page has been torn.
      6. Examinations may only be taken in a classroom within the building in which the examination is being lobby, hall, or restroom. Adequate classroom space is reserved in each building for test-takers. All students must have free access to the classrooms. “Occupied” signs or locked doors are not permitted. The students should choose seats in such a way as to secure maximum privacy. Students must take nothing with them into the examination room except the implements of the examination. In those cases where the instructors allow the use of additional materials, those materials must be specified on the examination.
      7. The examination materials, questions, answers, and all scratch paper should be returned in the envelope to the instructor no later than 12:15 pm for the morning examinations and 5:15 pm for afternoon examinations. This deadline is observed and enforced.
      8. It violates the honor system for students to discuss examinations which they have seen with other students during the examination period.
      9. Faculty should be available to the students during the examination period.
  2. Closed Study Period
    Closed Study Period will begin the day following the last class day of each term and continue through the end of the final examination period. During Closed Study Period, no campus events may be scheduled, and no coursework — i.e. papers, tests, projects — may be required. Study or help sessions may be held during this time as long as they are completely optional and totally tutorial (with no new information presented). Any revisions or changes in assignments or requirements from the original syllabus (given to students at the beginning of the term) which affect the last three days of fall or spring term or the last day of winter term must be announced at least two weeks prior to the last day of class in fall and spring terms and one week prior to the last day of class in winter term.
  3. No examination may be given during the Closed Study Period.
  4. Exemption of Seniors from Final Examinations
    With the instructor’s permission, Seniors in the last term of residence may be exempted from final examinations under the following conditions:
    1. The course must have adequate instruments, in the judgment of the instructor, for evaluation of the student’s performance without a final examination.
    2. The student must have:
      1. a cumulative grade average of at least 3.25; and
      2. an accrued evaluation of B or better in the course.
    3. Such exemption does not relieve the student of any of the other academic or attendance requirements of the course.
  5. Special Examinations
    1. If for legitimate reasons a student must miss an examination during the examination period, they may with permission of the instructor be allowed to take it at a later date. If the instructor does not agree to a special examination, the student may appeal to the appropriate dean.
    2. Special examination times are set by the examiner concerned.
  6. Disposition of Examination Papers and Term Papers
    The following regulation controls the care and keeping of the final examinations and term papers for the protection of the instructor, the students, and the university. Instructors must retain in their campus offices the final examinations and term papers not returned to the students through one full term succeeding the term in which these materials were submitted. If the instructor’s employment is terminated, or if the instructor is absent on leave, these papers should be turned over to the department chair prior to departure.
  7. Announced and Unannounced Tests
    Dates for all major tests should be on the syllabus. This request is not meant to impinge upon an instructor’s prerogative to give unannounced tests.