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

[Paul Kominers (UA SCEP Chair)]

Dear undergrads,

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.  For example,
no tests are allowed after December 9rd.

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.

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,
Paul Kominers
Chair, UA Student Committee on Educational Policy

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

Classes w/o Final Exams:
- No test given after Dec 9rd
- Only one (1) assignment due between Dec 9th and Dec 14th, 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 9rd
- No assignment due after Dec 9rd
- Optional Self-Study assignments can be assigned between Dec 9rd and
Dec 14th. 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 regulations 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.