In compliance with Section 92640(a) of the California Education Code, UCLA must accommodate requests for alternate examination dates for any test or examination at a time when that activity would not violate a student’s religious creed. This requirement does not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship that could not reasonably be avoided. Accommodation for alternate examination dates is worked out directly and on an individual basis between the student and the faculty member involved.
In general, students should make such requests of the instructor during the first two weeks of any given academic term, or as soon as possible after a particular examination date is announced by the instructor.
Students unable to reach a satisfactory arrangement with their instructor should contact the Office of Ombuds Services, 105 Strathmore Building; or the Office of Student Conduct, 1206 Murphy Hall, for assistance.
Instructors who have questions or who wish to verify the nature of the religious event or practice involved should contact the Office of Ombuds Services or the Office of Student Conduct for assistance.
No student shall be excused from assigned final examinations, except as provided above in the policy on alternate examination dates and as provided in the following three paragraphs.
The instructor in charge of an undergraduate course is responsible for assigning the final grade in the course. The final grade shall reflect the student’s achievement in the course and shall be based on adequate evaluation of that achievement. The instructor’s method of evaluation must be announced at the beginning of the course. The methods may include a final written examination, term paper, final oral examination, take-home examination, or other evaluation device. Evaluation methods must be of reasonable duration and difficulty and must be in accord with applicable departmental policies. Final written examinations may not exceed three hours’ duration, and are given only at the times and places established and published by the department chair and the Registrar’s Office.
At the end of the term in which a student is expected to graduate, the major department may examine the student in the field of the major and, with the approval of the Undergraduate Council, assign a credit value to such general examination. The department may also excuse the student from final examinations in courses offered by the department during that term.
An instructor may release to individual students their original final examinations (or copies). This may be done by any method that ensures the students’ right to privacy. Otherwise, the instructor shall retain final examination materials, or a copy thereof, until the end of the next succeeding regular term of instruction, during which period students shall have access to their examinations.
