Know Your Rights: A Guide to End-of-Term Academic Policies

[UA SCEP Chairs]

Hi All,

While it may not always seem like it, MIT does believe in some work- 
life balance
and the faculty have self-written rules to enforce this.

In particular, there are a set of rules that govern the timing and  
quantity of tests and
assignments near the end of term.

Even though the end of term seems far away, please check your syllabi  
to make
sure that your professors, who may not be aware of these rules, are in  
compliance,
such as no tests after December 3rd.

The earlier you report the problem, the more likely UA SCEP will be  
able to
resolve it in an effective manner.

Hope we can help and thanks for taking the time to check.

Best,
David Chang
UA Student Committee on Educational Policy Chair

A Brief Summary of the Rules and Regulations for Undergraduate Classes:

This year, December 3rd is that last day for tests.

Classes w/o Final Exams:
- No test given after Dec 3rd
- Only one (1) assignment due between Dec 3rd and Dec 9th, the last  
day of
class.
-This one assignment may be both an oral and a written report if  
derived from
the same project.

Classes with Final Exams:
- No test given after Dec 3rd
- No assignment due after Dec 3rd
- Optional Self-Study assignments can be assigned between Dec 3rd and  
Dec
9th. However, these cannot count to the grade in any way, not even as  
extra
credit or substitutes for earlier assignments.

Ex camera (take-home) final examinations:
- Must be scheduled through the Registrar.
- Offered over one afternoon — from 1:30 P.M. and ending before 7:30  
P.M.
- Permit students unrestricted use of resources.

Excused Absence:
A student may be excused from a scheduled final examination for  
reasons of
illness or significant personal problems. Undergraduates should  
contact a
dean in Counseling and Support Services (http://web.mit.edu/uaap/s3/)  
if they
wish to seek an excused absence.

A more comprehensive listing of violations is available at:
http://ua.mit.edu/committees/scep/termregs.pdf

Any violations can be reported anonymously at :
http://ua.mit.edu/committees/scep/violations

For more information, feel free to email: violations at mit.edu.