Reading Days Policy

The University of Florida Reading Days policy is located in the UF Regulations here: 6C1-7.055: http://regulations.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/7055.pdf

Policy Excerpt:

6C1-7.055 Academic Affairs; Last Week of Class Examination and Assignment Policy.
(1) Policy – In the fall and spring semesters, faculty members or instructors shall not schedule final or comprehensive examinations or assign projects or term papers during the period comprising the last three days of classes and the reading days scheduled after classes end and before final examinations begin. Take home final or comprehensive examinations shall not be due prior to the regularly scheduled examination period. Written papers and/or oral presentations and periodic testing announced in the course syllabus distributed at the first class meeting may be collected or presented during the last three days of classes provided they do not serve as a final examination. The intent of this policy is to ensure that students are be free to concentrate on classroom work for all courses taken and begin to review for final examinations in the week prior to final examinations. It is the responsibility of chairmen and deans to ensure that this policy is followed in their college, department, and/or unit.

To avoid any misunderstanding or misapplication of the policy, the following Q&A's are provided for clarification:

Q: Am I allowed to schedule anything for my class on a reading day?

A: You are not allowed to schedule anything compulsory like exams or class projects on a reading day, even if these are not comprehensive. You may hold things like optional office hours or optional reviews.

Q: I would like to reschedule the date and time for the scheduled final exam for my class. Can I reschedule the date myself as long as everyone in the class agrees to the new date/time of the exam?

A: No, you are not allowed to reschedule a final examination from the predetermined date, time, and location on your own, even if the students agree to the change. The process for making an exam change is as follows: All changes in the published Examination Schedule must be approved by the University Curriculum Committee via the Office of Academic Affairs. Requests for time changes must be justified, and include a specific statement of the effects on the students of such a change. The rescheduled date must fall within the designated examination schedule.

Q: I will be holding a third exam for my class on the last day of class prior to reading days. The exam is not comprehensive and covers only the last one-third of the course. Is that in violation of the policy?

A: No, as long as the exam is not comprehensive. Written papers and/or oral presentations and periodic testing announced in the course syllabus distributed at the first class meeting may be collected or presented during the last three days of classes provided they do not serve as a final examination.

Q: I have given my class a take home, comprehensive exam that is due on the last day of class. Is that a violation of the policy?

A: Yes. Take home final or comprehensive examinations shall not be due prior to the regularly scheduled examination period.

Q: I am teaching in the summer. Does the Reading Days policy apply?

A: No, it only applies in fall and spring semesters.

Q: Whose responsibility is it for making sure the Reading Days policy is followed?

A: It is the responsibility of chairs and deans to ensure that this policy is followed in their college, department, and/or unit. A Deans, Directors, and Department Chairs memo is issued every fall and spring semester from the provost reminding administrators of this policy. Faculty also receive a reminder in the Faculty Update newsletter.

Q: What are the consequences for not complying with the Reading Days policy?

A: Should the university find out course instructors have not complied with the policy, that instructor will receive a letter of reprimand.