2008 Woodie Awards
Students, faculty urged to know their rights for exam week
Robert Preliasco
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: News
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12/07/07 - At the end of every semester, as students at the University of Rhode Island receive a large amount of assignments, professors receive some instructions of their own. The provost's office sends all URI faculty a letter explaining their students' rights during final exams.
In a letter sent to faculty on Nov. 20, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Lynn Pasquerella said, "Just as we expect students to bring integrity to the taking of final examinations, it is equally important that we demonstrate an impeccable adherence to policy in the administering of these exams."
Among these policies: "A professor cannot change the date, time or place of a scheduled final examination without the approval of the Office of Enrollment Services." Professors also cannot administer any test during the last five days of classes if they are not planning to give a final exam.
Additionally, students have the right to take no more than two exams on one day. If a student is scheduled to have three exams on the same day, he or she may choose to have one rescheduled. The University Manual says that students in this situation should inform their instructors so that an alternate day can be scheduled. The student is only obligated to take exams for the classes that meet first and second during a regular week.
"It should go without saying that the instructor of the third class in this sequence should offer an alternative date with good grace and be mindful of the student's other final examinations," Pasquerella said in the letter to faculty.
Pasquerella was unavailable for comment, but Thomas Dougan, vice president of student affairs, said that these types of conflicts are almost always easy to resolve.
"Once that's pointed out to faculty I've found them to be extremely cooperative," he said.
Another student right during finals involves the honoring of reading days. There is always at least one, but usually two reading days after classes end. No classes, exams or laboratories can take place on this day but voluntary study sessions can be convened.
In a letter sent to faculty on Nov. 20, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Lynn Pasquerella said, "Just as we expect students to bring integrity to the taking of final examinations, it is equally important that we demonstrate an impeccable adherence to policy in the administering of these exams."
Among these policies: "A professor cannot change the date, time or place of a scheduled final examination without the approval of the Office of Enrollment Services." Professors also cannot administer any test during the last five days of classes if they are not planning to give a final exam.
Additionally, students have the right to take no more than two exams on one day. If a student is scheduled to have three exams on the same day, he or she may choose to have one rescheduled. The University Manual says that students in this situation should inform their instructors so that an alternate day can be scheduled. The student is only obligated to take exams for the classes that meet first and second during a regular week.
"It should go without saying that the instructor of the third class in this sequence should offer an alternative date with good grace and be mindful of the student's other final examinations," Pasquerella said in the letter to faculty.
Pasquerella was unavailable for comment, but Thomas Dougan, vice president of student affairs, said that these types of conflicts are almost always easy to resolve.
"Once that's pointed out to faculty I've found them to be extremely cooperative," he said.
Another student right during finals involves the honoring of reading days. There is always at least one, but usually two reading days after classes end. No classes, exams or laboratories can take place on this day but voluntary study sessions can be convened.