BU Final Exam Policy
Bluefield University has a final exam policy that many BU students may not be aware of.
According to university policies and procedures listed in all BU course syllabi, final examinations are scheduled for the last four days of each semester. Examination periods are two hours with breaks of at least 60 minutes between each exam period. Every class is required to meet during its scheduled final examination time, and attendance is required for all students. Students are expected to take final exams as scheduled.
A student who has more than two exams during one day of the examination period may petition the relevant faculty for an exam time on a different day, provided that proof of three final exams on the same day is documented. The policy further states that students sharing rides home for Christmas or summer break must delay departure from campus until all riders have completed final exams.
Dr. Michael Salmeier, provost, spoke about the importance of the policy and the structure it provides during a stressful time in the semester.
“Our policy indicates that final exams must be taken as scheduled,” Dr. Salmeier said. “That way, both students and faculty know when the exam will occur and how much time they have to prepare. Without it, exams could be given at any time, which would likely lead to chaos as students could have overlapping exams.”
Dr. Salmeier said the policy is not intended to restrict students, but instead organization and fairness.
“The value to students is that they know when the exam will occur, which also indicates the time they have to prepare,” Dr. Salmeier said. “Further, it ensures that they won’t have to take an exam at the same time they are scheduled to take a different exam. Finally, it promotes fairness. If some students get more time to prepare for an exam, than others in the same class do, that could put some of the students at a disadvantage. Or, if some students take an exam before others, they might ‘tip-off’ some other students about what is on the exam, giving those students an unfair advantage.”
Dr. Salmeier said faculty also benefit from the structure and fairness the policy provides because they know exactly when exams will occur and they don’t have to give exams to different classes at the same time.
“It prevents them (faculty) from having to create multiple versions of the same exam to fend off the possibility of students who take the exam early,” he said.
While the policy is intended to benefit students and professors, some think it is a bit rigid.
“I think the policy is a little strict on rescheduling exams,” said one BU student who preferred to remain anonymous. “There are a lot of kids on campus that live really far away that should be able to take their exams early so they can be home with their family for as long as possible.”
However, BU sophomore Erin Bowers had a different opinion on the policy.
“I am fine with the final exam policy,” she said. “It all makes sense, and there are accommodations if needed.”
Students who would like to take their final exams early or at a different time must submit a request to Dr. Michael Salmeier in the BU Academic Affairs Office. Faculty members cannot approve requests for different exam times. Requests must be approved by Dr. Salmeier.
The final exam schedule is posted on the BU website. Students with additional questions should contact Dr. Salmeier or their professors.