GCSU looks to ease exam loads

     A change to exam policies was implemented this semester involving the procedure to follow when a student has three or more exams scheduled for the same day.
     The suggested change was voiced by Dr. Michael Pangia to the Academic Policy Committee (APC) meeting on March 7. Pangia, a professor of physics, is not a committee member but voiced his concern over the current policy as a visitor.
     “In the past, students with problems associated with their final exam schedule usually would contact me too late for me, as an instructor, to have much time to deal with it,” he said. “I’ve long since known there was a problem, but, since finals is usually the busiest time of the semester, didn’t get aroundto recommending something until now.”
     The old guideline stated “Students with exam conflicts or three scheduled exams on the same day should arrange appropriate substitute times with their instructors. Students are strongly encouraged to make these arrangements AT LEAST two weeks in advance of the exam day to ensure that alternate test times and locations can be identified.”
     The issue Pangia addressed was the guideline was too vague and created inconsistencies with how students and professors dealt with the dilemma. He proposed that a revision be implemented to enforce more urgency in hopes that students will take sooner and more prompt action.
     The APC was unanimously in agreement and a change to the exam schedule was made immediately.
     “Everyone on the APC knew that this can be a problem and were very receptive of having more time to try to accommodate the students’ request,” Pangia said.
     The new guideline reads, “Students with exam conflicts or three scheduled exams on the same day should contact his/her instructors at least 14 calendar days in advance of the exam day to arrange appropriate substitute times.’”
     “I think students (will) appreciate resolving finals issues well in advance,” he said. “I imagine students would want to plan well in advance when they’ll be studying for each of their finals.”
     Further discussed at the meeting was a potential amendment to the number of exams in one day that merit rescheduling. The current amount of three is reminiscent of GCSU’s days on the quarter system where students only took three courses. Now, most students take four to six classes.
     “The question on the limit of how many finals a student should have on one day, whether it should be two or three, is a tough one,” Pangia said. “On the one hand, the current limit of two finals on one day does mean more occurrences of cases where special arrangements are going to be requested. On the other hand, it does help to balance a student’s studying schedule. My feelings from the APC (is) that the current limit of two (is) appropriate.”
     No amendment to the limit of exams in one day has been made. To view the complete exam schedule for spring 2008, visit gcsu.edu/registrar/examschedule.html.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 4 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry