Dear Colleagues,
As communicated on May 16, 2024, UAW Local 4811 authorized a strike with potential work stoppages beginning soon. UAW Local 4811 represents graduate student researchers (GSRs), academic student employees (ASEs, such as teaching assistants [TAs] and similar), postdocs, and academic researchers across the University of California. At this time, it appears that the UAW Executive Board may eventually call for a local (at UC San Diego) strike. We do not know when it will begin, or the duration of the strike. We understand that this is a stressful time, and that there may be anxiety and frustration about the new complexities as instructors finish out the last few weeks of instruction and plan for final exams.
The information provided below is intended to keep faculty informed and offer options for instructors to make decisions in ways that best serve our undergraduate and graduate students.
Final Examinations
The Academic Senate recognizes that individual instructors make decisions about what is best for their courses and for their students. Please be mindful that students may be depending on final exams to improve their grades. According to Senate policy, final exams in undergraduate classes are required. If a course has a scheduled final exam, instructors must provide a final assessment in keeping with this requirement. Exams and assignments may not be due or scheduled after the quarter ends on Friday, June 14.
That being said, instructors have significant flexibility regarding finals, as long as changes are applied consistently, and they are communicated clearly to students. Below are some ideas that are possible:
- Adjust the format, content, or length of an exam or final assessment. This may include adjusting your expectations for the assessment.
- Substitute a take-home exam or other assignment for a final exam.
- Offer an asynchronous final exam and open it earlier during finals week to allow students more time to complete the exam. Remember that instructors are required to make the exam available during the date and hour scheduled by the Registrar’s Office.
- Offer a no-fault final exam, where the final grade cannot negatively impact a student’s grade.
- If the course syllabus and grading rubric allow for dropping the lowest exam score, consider allowing students to opt not to take the final.
Incompletes
Unless an instructor has agreed with a student in advance, assigning an Incomplete grade is not appropriate. Consider assigning an Incomplete grade when:
- Student has completed the majority of the coursework at a passing level.
- Student needs additional time to complete a course due to documented extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control.
- Student has requested an Incomplete and has met the criteria above. Assigning an Incomplete grade without the student’s consent should be avoided.
- Faculty will be able to make individual arrangements for the timely completion of the work, clearly articulate expectations to the student, and remain in communication with the student until the work is complete. Requiring that the student wait until the next time the course is offered is not allowable.
- A grade of Incomplete for Spring Quarter will lapse to a grade of F at the end of Fall Quarter.
Enrollment Deadlines
Standard deadlines to change grading option or units, drop a class, or withdraw from the quarter apply this quarter. Questions about retroactive petition requests may be directed to a student’s undergraduate college (for undergraduate students) or the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (for graduate students).
Sincerely,
