Faculty Handbook – Final Evaluative Exercise Policy

Faculty members are to administer an appropriate final evaluative exercise in all classes. The form of the evaluative exercise may vary according to the course level, objective(s) and instructional methodology. Prior agreement with the appropriate next-level administrator is required before rescheduling a final evaluative exercise outside the published schedule.

The five-day periods for final examinations at the close of the fall and spring semesters are published in the University Calendar. Final examinations for evening classes are conducted in regular classrooms during the week of final examinations. If necessary, the final examination for evening classes meeting twice a week may be scheduled for both of those nights.

The schedule for final examinations is to be followed. No final examination may be given before the beginning of the final examination period (see exception for graduating students and prior agreement with appropriate next-level administrator noted above).

 

Rescheduling of Finals

There are only three permissible reasons for rescheduling finals. In all cases, rescheduling arrangements must be made no later than one week prior to the last day of classes.

1. Graduating seniors. Because grades for graduating students must be submitted to the Registrar at least 72 hours prior to Commencement, graduating students who have exams beginning at 3:00 p.m. or later on the Wednesday of Finals Week must reschedule to an earlier time. Study days and the Saturday prior to Finals Week are available for faculty to reschedule final exams for graduating students.
2. Students with more than two finals in a 24-hour period. If the published final examination schedule would require a student to take more than two final examinations in a 24-hour period, the student can arrange to take one of the exams at another time. The student shall determine which final examination is to be rescheduled. The rescheduled exam shall be given at a time mutually agreeable to the student and the faculty member. A final exam may not be rescheduled so as to violate the 24-hour rule. Rescheduling arrangements must be made one week prior to the last day of classes. Unless the student is graduating, the exam must be taken during final examination week.
3. Students for whom a final examination conflicts with a major religious holiday or custom. Students who, in the first two weeks of the semester, notified faculty or staff of their intention to be absent from class or event, as required in the TCU Religious Holiday Policy, may reschedule a final exam if it compromises their ability to fully celebrate a religious holiday. For example, students may reschedule late afternoon or evening examinations to that morning or at an alternate time so they are not being tested after fasting for many daylight hours. A final exam may not be rescheduled so as to violate the 24-hour rule.

End of Semester Study Period

The academic calendar provides for a study period between the last day of classes and the beginning of final examination week. This study period is intended to provide maximum, uninterrupted study time. No classes, laboratories, or examinations of any kind will be scheduled during this period (see exception for graduating students).