End of Semester Scheduling

The 16th week of the regular semester is scheduled such that each section or course has one two-hour class period during that week. Faculty members may use this last period in any way they see fit, including comprehensive end-of-semester tests. (As a result, this 16th week is commonly referred to as the “final examination period,” although many faculty will use the period for purposes other than examinations.) If no educational purposes will be served by any type of meeting during the 16th week because the educational objectives of the course have been achieved, a department may dismiss this class meeting. It is the responsibility of the department head or, where appropriate, the school/college head, to inform Space Management and Academic Scheduling which courses within the department or school/college have been approved to eliminate their 16th week meeting. The final examination period is intended for the end-of-semester examination. No examination or quiz may be given during the week (three days in summer session) preceding the final examination period of the semester (examinations for practical laboratory examinations and intensive or minicourses excluded).

The University Senate also has strongly recommended that no extra-curricular group activities involving student participation be scheduled by the faculty and staff during, or immediately prior to, periods when final examinations are given. The purpose of such voluntary restriction of extracurricular activities is to enhance the opportunities for preparation, review, and study, as well as to minimize the physical, emotional, and mental strain on students during such periods. The restriction imposed on organized group activity is not intended to interfere in any way with individual use of University recreational facilities and does not apply to the activities of the individual students when such activities have no connection with the University.

If there is no alternative to scheduling extracurricular activities during the periods specified, student participation must be voluntary. Students who feel compelled to participate in an extracurricular activity at the expense of time needed for study and preparation for an exam are encouraged to carry their concerns to any appropriate University agency.

Complete information concerning end-of-semester scheduling policies can be found under "Scheduling at the End of the Semester" in the Academic Procedure Manual, page N-153.