5.2.5.6 Prep Days and Reading Days
[US: 4/10/06; 4/13/2009; 2/8/201; SC: 4/18/2022; SREC: 11/10/2022]
Prep Days and Reading Days are designed to help students prepare for their final examinations. Certain instructional activities are restricted on Prep Days, and additional restrictions apply to Reading Days. There shall be no required interactions (SR 9.1) on Reading Days. [US: 2/8/2021]
This rule (SR 5.2.5.6) applies to ALL courses taught in both semesters, the Summer Session, and the Winter Intersession, regardless of modality. In addition, if a course is taught in a format that has been compressed into less than one semester, intersession, or session, and the course overlaps with Prep Days or Reading Days as set in the regular University calendar, then the course must abide by the restrictions on instructional activities that apply to those Prep and Reading Days with which it overlaps. This rule does not apply to courses in professional programs in colleges that have University Senate approval to follow a nonstandard calendar, as authorized in SR 2.1.4. [SREC: 3/15/2012; 8/9/2019; SC: 4/18/2022]
5.2.5.6.1 Timing of Prep Days and Reading Days
For Fall Semester and Spring Semester, Prep Days are the last three days of instruction (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) and before the start of the Final Examination Period (see SR 5.2.5.7.1). The third Prep Day (Wednesday) is when classes end (see SR 2.1.2.1).
For Summer Session and Winter Intersession, Prep Days are the last three days of instruction before the final exam day as established in the academic calendar annually approved by the Senate Council and posted by the University Registrar.
For Fall Semester and Spring Semester, Reading Days are the two days (Thursday and Friday) after the Prep Days before the start of the Final Examination Period (see SR 5.2.5.7.1).
There are no Reading Days during Summer Session or Winter Intersession.
5.2.5.6.2 Examinations and Quizzes
[SC: 4/18/2022]
Instructors must not schedule examinations or quizzes, including final examinations, on Prep Days or Reading Days, with the following exceptions:
- Instructors are permitted to schedule oral/listening examinations and lab practical exams on Prep Days during a semester, provided such examinations are scheduled in the syllabus AND the course has no final examination (or assignment that acts as a final examination).
- Instructors are permitted to schedule make-up examinations or make-up quizzes anytime, including, if the affected students agree to it, on Reading Days (see SR 5.2.5.2.2 and 5.2.5.6.5). Instructors may distribute take-home examinations, but students shall not be required to return the completed examination before the regularly scheduled examination period for that course.
5.2.5.6.3 Class Participation and Attendance Grades
Instructors are permitted to grade student participation and require attendance on Prep Days, but not on Reading Days. [SC: 4/18/2022]ester, the Thursday and Friday of Prep Week are study days (i.e. “Reading Days”) during which no required interactions (SR 9.1) shall be scheduled. [US: 2/8/2021]
5.2.5.6.4 Homework
Instructors are permitted to collect regularly assigned homework for a grade on Prep Days, but not on Reading Days, provided the homework was scheduled in the syllabus. However, instructors may collect make-up homework on Reading Days if the affected student agrees to it. (see SR 5.2.5.2.2 and 5.2.5.6.5) [SC: 4/18/2022]
5.2.5.6.5 Projects, Papers, and Presentations
Instructors are permitted to collect projects, papers, and presentations on Prep Days, but not on Reading Days, provided such assignments were scheduled in the syllabus AND the course has no final examination (or assignment that acts as a final examination). [SC: 4/18/2022]
5.2.5.6.6 Make-Up Assignments
Instructors are permitted to schedule make-up assignments that replace, substitute for, or satisfy earlier required interactions anytime (see SR 5.2.5.2.2), including, if the affected students agree to it, on Reading Days. [SC: 4/18/2022]
5.2.5.6.7 Review Sessions
Instructors are permitted to offer review sessions at any time on Prep Days or Reading Days as long as attendance is not required and the instructor does not discuss or provide new material. [SC: 4/18/2022]
[See 6.1.2.1 on documenting this information in a course syllabus.]