Final Examinations - General Policies
Final Exam Regulations
- Classes starting at times not listed on the Final Examination chart
- Conflicting Exams
- Night Classes
- Off-Campus courses
- No student shall be obligated to take more than two (2) examinations on the same day
- The School of Law follows a different final examination schedule
- Regulations concerning Final Exams
- Religious Observances, Conflict with Examinations
Off-Campus Courses
Final Examinations will be administered during the period May 12 - 16, 2008, at the same time and day the class met during the semester. (Saturday only classes will have Saturday examinations 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the Saturday immediately following Stop Day. There are no other finals scheduled on Saturday.)Conflicting Examinations
In case a student is subjected to conflicting examinations as listed in the Spring 2008 Final Examination Schedule, the last mentioned arranges an examination for the affected student at a different time.- When the conflicting examinations are between French and Italian and Spanish, an examination for the affected student is arranged at a different time by French and Italian for spring semesters and by Spanish for fall semesters.
- If one of the conflicting examination times is a Common Examination (e.g., all sections of Humanities & Western Civilization 204), the non-Common Examination final instructor will arrange an alternate time.
Classes starting at times not listed on the Final Examination chart
The final examination will be administered at the scheduled time for classes that meet during the next-closest time in the Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday sequence. For example a class that meets at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday would have its final examination at the time scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes. Classes that meet daily will follow the Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule for finals. Classes that meet once a week will follow the schedule that includes the day of the week that a particular class meets. For example, a Monday class would follow the Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule.Night Classes
Final examinations for classes that begin at 5 p.m. or later will have examinations from 7:30 - 10 p.m. during the final examination period on the same night of the week that the class regularly met. If the class meets twice a week or more, a final will be on the first evening during the finals period that corresponds with a night that the class meets. For example a Tuesday-Thursday evening class would hold its examination on Tuesday.Except for those excused in advance by the instructor, all students are required to take final examinations when prescribed. However, in the event that a student has (3) three of more final examinations scheduled on the same day, no student shall be obligated to take more than two exams on that day. No later than two weeks before Stop Day, the student shall notify the instructor(s) from the highest numbered course(s) not having a common final exam of the need to provide a make-up examination to be administered at a mutually acceptable time.
A Common Final Exam is defined as one approved for a particular multi-section course by the Calendar Committee in accordance with USRR 1.3.1, and published in the Timetable. Lecture classes with various discussion or laboratory sections are not “Common Finals” for the purpose of this regulation.
The School of Law follows a different final examination schedule
Students who are enrolled in the School of Law should consult that unit to determine the times of their final examinations.Senate Regulations Regarding Final Examinations
Regulation 1.3.2 of Article 1 of the University Senate Regulations states
A Comprehensive Final Examination is defined as an examination that tests over class content covering the entire term. A Section Examination is defined as an examination that tests over class content covering a unit, section, topic or part of the term, but does not cover the entire content of the class.Normally the last examination in a course - whether a Comprehensive Final Examination or a Section Exam - is administered at the appointed time during the regularly scheduled final exam period. An exam may be given during the last week of classes ONLY if it is a Section Exam preceding a Comprehensive Final Examination; this Comprehensive Final Examination must be administered at the appointed time during the regularly scheduled final exam period. If neither a Section Examination nor a Comprehensive Final Examination is to be given, the class is not required to meet at its appointed time during the regularly scheduled final examination period. The above does not apply to assignments such as projects, performances, or papers. These may be due or take place during the last week of regular classes.
Any exceptions to the above rules must be approved by the Calendar Committee. Petitions to the committee must be submitted at least three weeks before the last scheduled day of classes. Students' academic best interests shall be the criteria for the Calendar Committee's decisions on petitions. The Committee will consider a request for a special final exam time only if the request encompasses ALL sections of a course. The Committee will not accept petitions for special final examination times for the purpose of consolidating single exam times for multiple sections taught by the same instructor.
Students should report violations of the above to the appropriate department head or dean, or to the Provost.
This means that the last major exam of a class, whether covering material for the entire semester or only a section of the course material, may not be held during the last week of classes or on Stop Day. The appointed time for the exam during the final exam period is listed in the Timetable.This regulation applies to classes on both the Lawrence and Edwards Campuses.
The Calendar Committee does allow exceptions to the rule, but only under very special circumstances with the best interests of students the overriding criterion. A vote by the class, even when unanimous, is not considered justification since, among other concerns, it can unintentionally place students under pressure to follow their peers. Also, special recognition ceremonies (held before the final exam week) are not grounds for rescheduling final examinations. Petitions for exceptions to the rule should be directed to the chair of the University Senate Calendar Committee email (phipps@ku.edu) and must be received at least three weeks before the last scheduled day of classes.
Instructors are also reminded that normally, exams and tests other than final examinations CANNOT be scheduled outside of regular class or laboratory hours. As stated in USRR 1.4.2, examinations and tests other than final examinations may be given at times other than regular class hours ONLY when the time and place have been approved by the Calendar Committee and published in advance in the Official Timetable of Classes.
Faculty members desiring exceptions should submit their petitions by letter to the Chairperson of the Calendar Committee. Call (785) 864-5169 for name and office address.
Regulation 1.3.7 of Article 1 of the University Senate Regulations states
No university organization shall schedule events or meetings that require student participation during the final examination period, including Stop Day. Exceptions are allowed for local events or meetings that are scheduled Saturday and up to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. A committee which must meet during the final examination period to resolve an academic issue may meet only at a time mutually convenient to all members. No other exceptions allowed unless by explicit direction of the Chancellor.
Regulation 1.3.8 of Article 1 of the University Senate Regulations states
Students with a verifiable medical crisis of a relative or friend may be excused from being present for the final examination. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate discussion with the instructor, prior to the examination/test if possible. The instructor and student shall attempt to come to a mutually agreeable method of making up the missed work.
Religious Observances, Conflicts with Examinations
University Senate Rules and Regulations. Article I, Section 4. (1.4.3): "Examinations and tests other than final examinations should not be scheduled in conflict with mandated religious observances. In order to ascertain in a given class if a scheduled examination conflicts with a mandated religious observance, at the beginning of the semester the instructor shall ask students who may be affected to identify themselves privately so that a make-up examination may be scheduled at a mutually acceptable time."
This file was modified: Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 09:16 AM
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