4.32 FINAL EXAMINATIONS

Effective: August 15, 2024

Purpose: To outline the requirements and criteria for final examinations for University courses.

Scope: This policy applies to all University courses campus wide unless otherwise specified.

Responsible Office: Academic Affairs; Registrar’s Office

Policy Statement: The appropriateness and form of a final examination is the responsibility of the instructor and is considered an important part of the evaluation procedure used by the instructor in teaching the course. If given, final examinations shall be scheduled at the time designated by the official final examination schedule as published in the class schedule each semester and may not be rescheduled except as noted below. Only section examinations or comprehensive examinations in laboratory, practicum, field, or studio type courses  may be given the week before final examinations are scheduled. If a final examination is not to be given, the class is not required to meet at its appointed time during the regularly scheduled final examination period.

Instructors who feel they are sufficiently able to ascertain the student’s competency by various evaluation means during the course of a semester may make the final examination optional for individual students. In those courses in which final examinations are optional for individual students, the instructor will inform students of their standing in the class with respect to grade level before the final examination period.

The final examination schedule will provide for a five (5) day final examination period at the close of the fall and spring semesters of each year. To determine when the final examination is scheduled for a particular class:

• choose the day by the first day of the week that the class meets (a class scheduled for MTWF will have the final as for a MWF class); and
• choose the hour by taking the time for the beginning of class and dropping the minutes (8:00 meets at the 8:00 period, 8:30 at 8:00, 8:45 at 8:00).

The following rotation schedule will be used. Morning examinations given on Day 1 will be given on day 2 of the next semester. Day 2 moved to day 3. Day 3 moved to day 4. Day 4 moved to day 5. Day 5 moved to day 1. The morning schedule will repeat itself every five (5) semesters. Afternoon exams given on day 1 will be given on day 2 of the next semester. Day 2 moved to day 3. Day 3 moved to day 4. Day 4 moved to day 1. The schedule will repeat itself every four (4) semesters. Special examinations are not included in the rotation schedule.

Special examinations will be given on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings during the final examination period, as assigned by Registration.

The final examination period shall begin on Monday following the completion of the teaching days as defined by the academic calendar.

Except for unusual circumstances, deviations from the published schedule shall not be permitted. Requests for a departure from the published schedule shall be made in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs not later than three (3) weeks prior to the final examination period. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will approve or disapprove each request and, within five (5) days of receiving the request, shall notify the person making the request of the decision.

Final examinations for night and Saturday classes shall be scheduled for the final class session.

Final examinations for courses scheduled for time periods of less than one semester, including summer school, shall be scheduled for the final class period.

Students with more than two (2+) examinations scheduled for the same day and who have not been able to resolve this situation among their instructors, will have the option of appealing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs to have one of the final examinations moved to a different day. This appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs should be initiated by December 1 for the fall semester and May 1 for the spring semester.

Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.

Final Examination – An examination that tests class content covering the entire term.

Section Examination – An examination that tests class content covering a unit, section, topic, or part of the term, but does not cover the entire content of the class.

Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs.

[Academic Affairs procedures - coming soon]

Related Policy Information: 4.20 – Academic Calendar; 4.33 – Credit Hours