From the Assembly Minutes 10 March 1982

DEAD WEEK. Mr. Mike Prothe, SUAB, was recognized to read the following motion:

I. In the week preceding final examinations during Fall, Winter, Spring terms: ;

A. No examination worth more than 20 per cent of the final grade will be given with the exception of make-up examinations.
B. No final examinations will be given under any guise.
C. No projects wil-1 be due unless they have been clearly ~ specified on the syllabus within the first two weeks ! of the term.

II. Take-home final examinations will be due no earlier than the day of the formally assigned final examination for the class in question.

Mr. Holway Jones gave the vote of the Senate -- it was unanimous in favor of the motion. Mr. Prothe spoke in support of the motion by stating that the clash of finals during the last week of classes with other class projects due and the routine studying required caused an undue hardship on the students. This pressure interfered with proper preparation for examinations. The number of students complaining about .'early'' finals was growing. This legislation would establish legal methods of appeal for the stUdent to follow in case of violation. Mr. Ramsing reported that the debate in the Senate centered on certain clarifications in the motion. Mr. Rousseve felt that the motion was honorable but went too far in regulating academic freedom and was an infringement on the teacher's freedom. Mr. Lewis Ward asked about enforcement of the motion. He suggested moral persuasion as the only method of enforcement. Mr. George Struble stated that he appreciated the freedom of scholars but noted that we are a community of scholars and that some faculty members are infringing on other faculty members when the former give 'early'. finals. It is a problem in the classroom when students are absent because they are preparing for finals in another subject during the last week of classes. Mr. Ronald Sheriffs asked about comprehensive examinations and projects that required creativity or public presentations.

A SUAB member replied that no problem would occur if the rules were followed and that no surprises were introduced at the end. The motion was called for and adopted by a clear majority.

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