May 1, 2019
Here’s some important information on a few issues you may encounter with your students in these last few days of the semester. As always, if you have any questions or run into a situation you are unsure how to handle, please call the Dean of Studies office at (212) 854-2024. We are here to help.
FINAL EXAM INFORMATION
As an adviser and instructor, you are aware that students are expected to adhere to the official exam schedule; however, students run into several kinds of roadblocks, as we know, from illness to family emergencies at this time of year. If a student approaches you before the start of final exams with any reason that they will not be able to take the exam on the scheduled date, ask if they've spoken to their instructors. Instructors are encouraged to follow their own policies, and if they deem it feasible, can schedule and proctor their exams on a different date and in a different room, at their own convenience.
RAMADAN 2019
Also, please note that the holiday of Ramadan begins next week, and coincides with finals week. Barnard students can request an accommodation for exams that occur in the 4-7 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. time slots. Students making the request need to speak with their professors to take the exam at a different time, and inform the Dean of Studies Office for record keeping purposes. If requested by the professor, the Dean of Studies Office can support the professor with proctoring arrangements. If you have any questions about how to support students who may be fasting or otherwise observing the holiday, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Dean of Studies Office or the Registrar's Office.
HARDSHIP POLICY
If, as an adviser or an instructor, you encounter a student who has three exams scheduled within a 24-hour period or four within 48 hours, remind them that their first step is to go to the Barnard Registrar's Office (107 Milbank), where they will receive further guidance on to how to proceed.
DEFERRED EXAMS
Students may defer an exam only in cases of acute illness or personal emergency on the day of the exam. If students need to request a deferral:
- They must contact their instructor first.
- Then contact the Dean of Studies Office, (212) 854-2024, on the day of the exam, before the scheduled start of the exam. (There will be staff in the Dean of Studies Office as early as 8 a.m. during the exam period.)
- They may be asked to provide documentation of their illness; the staff in the Dean of Studies Office can talk with them about how to share documentation.
- If the instructor approves their request, the dean will explain next steps.
Please be aware that deferred exams cannot be requested in advance of exam week. If students need to make arrangements to take an exam at another time due to circumstances not having to do with illness, they must speak to their instructor directly.
For more information, visit DEFERRED EXAMS.
ILLNESS DURING EXAM
If students become ill during an examination, they need to:
- Inform the proctor
- Hand in the exam, and
- Go directly to Health Services.
If they've completed less than 40 minutes of a two-hour exam or less than one hour of a three-hour exam, they should qualify for a deferred exam (see above). If they leave the exam more than 40 minutes into a two-hour exam or more than an hour into a three-hour exam, they will be graded on the basis of the work they've completed to that point.
INCOMPLETES
Incompletes are to be given only in cases of illness, personal emergency, or other compelling circumstances. If students need to request an Incomplete, and the instructor is amenable, tell them to pick up a copy of the Incomplete Form at the Registrar's Office, or online at the Registrar's site, and proceed from there.
The deadline to apply for a Regular or Early Incomplete is next Thursday, May 9. The deadline to submit work for an Early Incomplete (which means the "I" will not be on the student's permanent transcript) is Tuesday, June 4, 2019. The deadline to submit work for a Regular Incomplete (which means the "I" will be on the student's permanent transcript) is Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, or an earlier deadline as set by the instructor. For more information, visit: INCOMPLETES.
GRADES
Final grades are indeed final. Grades may be changed only in cases of clerical error or in the event that, for some unusual reason, the instructor needs to reevaluate the work of the entire class. Grades may not be recalculated on the basis of reexamination or the submission of additional or revised work. Note: Look for next week's INSIGHTS for more information on submitting grades.
ACADEMIC PROBATION or SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS WARNING
Please advise students that if they are on academic probation or SAP warning, incompletes or deferrals may have an impact on their academic standing. Remind students who may be impacted to discuss their probationary status by contacting the Dean of Studies Office at (212) 854-2024. For more information, visit the Dean of Studies webpage at ACADEMIC STANDING.