The final examinations for each semester and summer term are scheduled by the registrar. Classes that meet at the same time during a semester also have a common examination time. An index of these examination times is included in the Course Schedule. Near the end of each semester and term, the complete examination schedule is distributed to academic offices and published in the Daily Texan; the examination schedule for a specific class is available through the registrar's Web site. Students may access their examination schedules through this site and by calling TEX at (512) 475-9940, option 54.

Examinations should begin promptly at the scheduled hour and should not continue beyond the three hours allocated in the official schedule.

No final examinations may be given before the examination period begins, and no change in time from that printed in the official schedule is permitted. An instructor with a compelling reason to change the time of an examination must obtain the approval of the department chair and the dean of the college or school in which the course is taught before announcing an alternative examination procedure to the students. No substantial examinations may be given during the last class week or during the reading days and the no-class days preceding the final examination period. An examination counting for more than 30 percent of the final course grade is considered to be substantial. A change in the room assignment for a final examination may be made only with the approval of the registrar.

In accordance with University Policy Memorandum 3.201, the no-class days preceding final examinations are not to be used as dates on which papers are to be turned in, examinations are to be given, quizzes are to be scheduled, or for any other class-related activity, other than office hours. In addition, the final examination period is reserved for scheduled final examinations. No other class-related activity, with the exception of office hours, may be scheduled during the final examination period.

With the approval of the department chair, an instructor may choose not to give a final examination. However, if an examination is given, all students must take it and no exemptions may be allowed except pursuant to a uniform exemption policy announced to the class.

For good cause, an instructor may give a student permission to take an examination with a different class section than the one in which the student is registered.

For good cause, a student may petition his or her academic dean for permission to change the time or place of an examination from that specified in the official schedule. If permission is given by the dean and the instructor, no penalty (such as a reduction in grade) may be assessed.

In a course extending over two semesters, when the subject matter is continuous, the second-semester final examination may include the subject matter of the first semester.

A student may address complaints related to the final examination procedures in a course to the chair of the department or the dean of the college or school in which the course is offered, or to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The following instructions govern the conduct of final examinations as well as other examinations given during the semester:

Students must be informed that all written work handed in by them is considered to be their own work, prepared without unauthorized assistance.
Students should be asked to cooperate in maintaining the integrity of examinations and encouraged to inform the instructor, without specifying the offenders, when cheating goes on in class.
Instructors are responsible for advising students of the rules governing examinations and for supervising examinations in their respective classes. They, or their representatives, must remain in the examination room and take necessary actions to ensure an orderly examination and minimize the temptations and opportunities for cheating.
Students are expected to (a) remain in the examination room until the test is completed; (b) refrain from talking; and (c) leave all notes and books where they are not accessible during the examination unless otherwise directed by the instructor.
An instructor who suspects academic dishonesty must report the case to the Office of the Dean of Students.

Searches

General searches of a student's personal papers and belongings may be conducted at the discretion of an instructor only when there is reasonable suspicion that the student has engaged in misconduct in violation of the student discipline and conduct code, chapter 11 of the Institutional Rules. In addition, the instructor must believe that the search is necessary to maintain the academic integrity of an examination or to maintain an environment in which learning can occur.

Availability of Classwork to Students

A student has the right to have all written materials that are submitted to meet the requirements of a course returned or made available for review. To be "made available" does not ensure the right to a photocopy, but the materials may be examined in the office of the faculty member or the academic department. Written materials that are not returned to the student must be retained by the faculty member or the department for at least one long-session semester following the completion of the course.

Reports

Semester reports from the registrar. Grade reports are available to all students, except students in the School of Law, at the end of each semester and summer session through the registrar's Web site. Printed grade reports are mailed to students who have had a change in scholastic status, have earned University Honors, or have requested a mailed copy before the end of the semester of summer session through the registrar's Web site. Grade reports are generally mailed to the student's permanent address on file in the Office of the Registrar; at the student's request or if the permanent address is outside the United States and its territories, reports are mailed to the local address.

Intrasemester reports from the deans. About the middle of each semester (but not in the summer session), faculty members report undergraduate students doing work below the passing grade of D to the deans, and the offices of the deans forward the reports to each student.

Top of File

Previous File in Chapter 4 | Next File in Chapter 4

General Information
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - The University
Chapter 2 - Admission
Chapter 3 - Registration, Fees, and Deposits
Chapter 4 - Academic Policies and Procedures
Chapter 5 - Student Affairs
Chapter 6 - Libraries and Other Academic Resources
Chapter 7 - The Texas Exes
Appendix A - Residency Regulations
Appendix B - Official Extracurricular Student Activities
Appendix C - Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities
Appendix D - Policy on Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
Appendix E - Policy on Sexual Misconduct
Appendix F - Prohibition of Hazing
Appendix G - Policy on AIDS and HIV Infection
Appendix H - Prohibition of Sexual Assault
Appendix I - Nondiscrimination Policy
Appendix J - Prohibition of Campus Violence
Appendix K - Student Travel Policy for University-Organized or Sponsored Events
Appendix L - Student Travel Policy for Registered Student Organizations
Statistical Summaries

Related Information
Catalogs
Course Schedules
Academic Calendars
Office of Admissions

Office of the Registrar
University of Texas at Austin

12 August 2003. Office of the Registrar

Send comments to Official Publications