Final exam system still needs reform
The new final exams proposal will probably not be as bad as we thought — that’s the good news. (See story, page 1.) Professors are requiring fewer scheduled exams than in previous years, making the finals period more flexible and therefore less stressful for students. We thank these professors.
But the exam system for next year, approved by the Faculty Senate this week, still has the potential to stress students. More can and should be done to make the new setup work for everyone involved.
First, it makes no sense to require faculty to distribute exams by the first business day after the last day of classes. It doesn’t matter in the spring — the first business day is the Thursday following the Wednesday end of classes — but in the fall, the policy means students might not be able to work on their exams during the first weekend after the end of classes, since the first business day is not until Monday.
That is unfair, especially since students are likely to be swamped with work during that first week of finals under the new system. Exams should instead be distributed at each class’ last regular meeting — when, after all, students are in class.
In addition, the maximums currently set — and not set — for numbers of exams and take-homes in short time periods are misguided. Under the system approved this week, students could have two exams to take and two take-homes due within 48 hours. The total number of exams of any kind that can be due in a two-day period should be capped at three.
Finally, we hope professors do not take undue advantage of the perks they get under this staggered exam setup. It would be tremendously stressful for students if all professors chose to make their exams and take-homes due on the first possible dates, and the quality of student work would probably diminish. Flexibility is built into the new system, and we hope professors let some of that flexibility work for students — rather than against them — by making assignments due later in the exam period or, even better, moving them to the end of finals.
Other opinion stories
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- Letters to the editor
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- Student Association needs serious reform
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News
- Carrer Services Director Matherly takes Tulsa job
- Connors, Swanson, Wright win travel fellowships
- Engineering professor Houchens selected to be new Wiess RA
- Faculty Senate approves take-home final exam policy
- Fondren to archive _Thresher_ online
- Smalley honored at service
- Tuition for incoming students rises 14 percent
- Varsity athletes cautioned about Facebook content
Sports
- After loss to Longhorns, baseball readies for C-USA
- Indiana defeats Owls in WNIT
- Men's tennis wins four straight matches
- Women's tennis splits a pair
Arts & Entertainment
- Baker's _Cymbeline_ shines with novelty
- Exhibit opening attracts partiers, not paleophiles
- Gilbert and Sullivan's _Ruddigore_ showcases vocal talents, set design
- Revolutionary _Vendetta_ proves visually stunning
- We Are Scientists outmatches audience energy at Monday concert
- _Baby_ sheds playful light on childbearing