Faculty FAQs
End-of-term written work (dean’s date: May 9)
All written coursework, including term papers, homework assignments, lab reports, and projects, is due on the date set by the instructor, but in no case later than the last day of reading period, which is known as "dean's date."
A student who is unable to complete end-of-term written work by dean's date because of illness or another equally compelling reason beyond the student's control may apply for permission to submit the work late. This application must be made to the course instructor on or before the due date. The course instructor may endorse a short-term, 24-hour extension; a request for a longer extension (>24 hours) requires additional endorsement from the student’s residential college dean or assistant dean for studies. Course instructors may not independently grant long-term (>24 hours) extensions beyond dean's date.
Registrar-scheduled final exams (May 12 – 18)
Registrar-scheduled final exams are requested by course instructors and scheduled by the registrar at a designated time and administered in one of two formats: (1) in-person (registrar assigns a classroom) or (2) remote (students take the exam on Canvas). In-class final exams are under the jurisdiction of the Honor Committee; remote final exams are under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Discipline.
Regardless of the exam format, all students must take the exam at the designated time, except in the following circumstances, which require the Deputy Registrar to authorize a formal postponement:
- University-sponsored varsity athletic travel
- COVID-19 isolation or quarantine, as mandated by University Health Services
- Illness as confirmed by University Health Services
- Personal emergencies or religious obligations, as approved on a case-by-case basis
- Overcrowded in-class final exam schedule (more than one in-class final exam on the same day or three in-class final exams over two days)
Please note that registrar-scheduled final exams are not rescheduled to accommodate personal travel. Refer to the final exam policy. Students who want to reschedule a registrar-scheduled final exam must submit a request to the Final Exam Reschedule Request system, which remains open through Friday, April 28 at 5:00 PM.
All rescheduled exams must be administered in the same format as the original. Students who cannot take the exam within 24 hours will require a long-term postponement.
Take-home exams
Take-home exams are exams conducted during the first six days of the final exam period (May 12-18), at a location of the student’s choosing. Take-home exams are under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Discipline.
Faculty are encouraged to permit students to self-schedule their take-home exam at any point during the six-day period, which will allow students to manage their time and avoid conflicts with other exams. Faculty may, however, choose to designate a shorter window of time during which the assessment must happen.
Faculty must indicate a reasonable time-limit for the duration of the take-home exam (not more than eight hours) and are encouraged to use the timer function in Canvas to regulate time limits.
A student who is unable to complete a take-home exam by its due date because of illness or another equally compelling reason beyond the student's control may apply for permission to submit the exam late. This application must be made to the course instructor on or before the due date. The course instructor may endorse a short-term, 24-hour extension; a request for a longer extension (>24 hours) requires additional endorsement from the student’s residential college dean or assistant dean for studies. Course instructors may not independently grant long-term (>24 hours) extensions beyond the due date.
Please note that the overcrowded final examination policy only applies to registrar-scheduled final exams. Students with an overcrowded take-home examination schedule should consult with their residential college dean or assistant dean for studies.
Student FAQs
Exam Conflicts
My instructor has designated a 24-hour window of time for my take-home exam, and I have a registrar-scheduled final exam during that same 24-hour period. Can I reschedule one of my exams?
The overcrowded final examination policy only applies to in-class final exams. You may not reschedule your in-class final exam. Please reach out to the instructor in charge of the take-home exam to discuss whether a 24-hour adjustment to the designated time window of your take-home exam may be possible.
I have two take-home exams scheduled within the same 24-hour period. What should I do?
The overcrowded final examination policy only applies to registrar-scheduled exams. If both take-home exams are of a short duration, you will need to plan your time carefully and take both exams. If both take-home exams are of a longer duration, please reach out to your residential college dean or assistant dean of studies, who will consult with the instructors in charge of the take-home exams to discuss whether an adjustment to the designated time window of one of the take-home exams may be possible.
Illness and in-class Final Exams
I woke up sick on the day of my registrar-scheduled final exam. Can I reschedule it?
A student who feels too sick to take an examination should seek medical care and must immediately email the Deputy Registrar, Justin T. Bronfeld. There are two possible outcomes:
- Short-term postponement: If the student recovers sufficiently, they may take the same examination within 24 hours of the originally scheduled time. The Deputy Registrar will notify the student of the new time and place of the rescheduled examination.
- Longer-Term postponement: If the student is so ill that a long-term postponement is needed, the student should contact their Dean as well as the Deputy Registrar. All postponed exams are rescheduled for the week prior to the start of the next term. Medical documentation will be required.
I fell ill while taking my registrar-scheduled final exam. What should I do?
A student who begins an in-class examination will, except in rare circumstances, be held accountable for taking the examination and will be assigned a grade based on the work completed on that examination. Therefore, any student who becomes ill during an examination should try their best to complete it. A student whose condition is so serious that it requires urgent medical attention should seek immediate medical care. Students should be aware that falling ill during an examination will rarely be cause for rescheduling; if rescheduling is authorized, the exam will be rescheduled as a longer-term postponement (rescheduled for the week prior to the start of the next term).
I am too ill to work on my take-home exam. What should I do?
Email your instructor and your residential college dean or assistant dean of studies, who will consult with you about options.
By UHS mandate, I am in isolation due to COVID-19. How can I take my in-class final exams?
Please reach out to Deputy Registrar Justin Bronfeld, who will consult with the faculty member(s) in charge of the exam(s) to determine the appropriate administration of the exam(s).