Hour and Midterm Examinations

The administration of hour and midterm examinations (not midyear) is the responsibility of the instructor; ordinarily, such exams should be scheduled during regular class meeting times. Instructors are required to offer makeup exams to students who are absent from hour and midterm examinations for the observance of a religious holiday. If an instructor is satisfied that an absence for another reason is necessary and that omitting a grade for the missed hour or midterm examination will not affect the student's course grade, final evaluation of the student's work in the course may be determined from the remainder of the course work. The instructor may also elect to give a makeup examination. The responsibility for such decisions rests with the instructor only, and not with the Dean's Office or the Administrative Board.

Although instructors are obligated to offer makeup exams only in the case of absence for the observance of a religious holiday, students who have obtained proper Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) documentation of illness may not be penalized for their absence from hour and midterm examinations. The appropriate form must be signed by a HUHS medical professional and given to the student's Allston Burr Resident Dean or Resident Dean of Freshmen, who will write the student a letter that acknowledges receipt of the HUHS form. This letter may be presented to the instructor as certification of the student's illness.

Absences for Religious Holidays

A student whose absence from an hour or midterm (not midyear) examination is a consequence of his or her religious belief "shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination" (Commonwealth of Massachusetts H6642-a bill enacted in September 1985 excusing the absence of students for their religious beliefs). It is the responsibility of the students concerned to provide instructors with the dates on which they will be absent because of a conflict with the religious holidays they will be observing. If conflicts are unavoidable, students who are absent from hour or midterm examinations for religious reasons shall be offered an opportunity to make up the work, without penalty, unless it can be demonstrated that such a makeup opportunity would constitute an "unreasonable burden" on the faculty.