Initiating body:	Office of the University Registrar
Contact:	Office of the University Registrar (309) 438-2264
Revised on:	12/2003

4.1.5 Final Examinations

Policy

Faculty members should clearly explain to their students methods of evaluation for the final grade. Since one of the purposes of the evaluation process is to enhance the student's intellectual development, grades and criticisms of papers, projects, and examinations should be returned to the student for inspection and discussion as soon as possible considering the faculty member's other professional obligations.

A final examination schedule for the University shall be prepared and distributed to students prior to the beginning of the semester. It is the responsibility of the students to acquaint themselves with the schedule and to be present at the prescribed time and place unless other arrangements have been made with or by the instructor. The last examination of a course shall not be given during the week prior to the final examination period without the approval of the department chair. Students who are unable to take an examination due to emergencies such as illness or injury, or religious reasons should notify their instructor as soon as possible (in advance, in the case of religious reasons) and make acceptable alternative arrangements. If an instructor does not consider an excuse for missing a scheduled examination for the student, the student may appeal the action to the department chair.   Students who have two (2) final examinations on the same day will be expected to take both as scheduled.  Students who find that they are scheduled for more than two final examinations in one day, may request that they be allowed to take all but two of the examinations another day during the final examination period. Any such request shall be made prior to finals week:

1. student brings photo ID and syllabi to Student Service and Referral Center (SSRC), Moulton 107, to request a form verifying more than two finals scheduled for the same days and;
2. student then shares this form with instructor requesting that exam be moved to a different date.  In such cases the instructor may set an acceptable alternative test period for the student making the request.

Final exams should be returned to the student or retained for one term, permitting the opportunity for student review with the instructor if the student desires. It is expected that faculty members will collect sufficient data on the performance of students to justify the final grade. Evaluation of students and award of credit must be based on professionally judged academic performance and not on matters irrelevant to that performance such as personality, race, religion, sex, degree of political activism, or personal beliefs.