Procedures for Unreasonable Hardships, Illness, or Emergencies During Exams
Academic Regulation 10.6 provides the procedures that apply when a student is unable to take an exam due to an unreasonable hardship, which includes “illness and other matters beyond the control of the student.” Pursuant to Regulation 10.6, if a student is unable to take an exam due to an unreasonable hardship, the exam will be deferred to a later date. Dean Wilson will determine whether a deferral is appropriate, what documentation is necessary to support the deferral, and the date of the rescheduled exam based on the specific circumstances. If an in-person exam is deferred, the Registrar will proctor an in-person exam on the rescheduled date.
If a situation arises before an exam that will cause you to be unable to take the exam as scheduled, contact Associate Dean Jodi Wilson, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Meredith Aden, or Law Registrar Cheryl Edwards as soon as feasible after the situation arises. To protect your anonymity, you should not contact your professor.
Illness or Emergency Arising During An Exam
Academic Regulation 10.9 provides the procedures that apply when an illness or emergency arises during an exam that makes completing the exam an unreasonable hardship. Notify the faculty member or person proctoring the exam immediately upon the event’s occurrence, if you are able to do so. The faculty member/proctor will notify the Dean’s office and, thereafter, the Dean’s office will coordinate with the faculty member to reschedule the examination as circumstances permit.
COVID and Other Illnesses
Although Regulation 10.6 predates COVID by many years, the regulation covers a wide range of circumstances, including many common illnesses and mandatory quarantine periods arising from COVID protocols. Law students should contact Associate Dean Jodi Wilson, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Meredith Aden, or Law Registrar Cheryl Edwards to report a positive COVID test or any other illness that could affect your ability to effectively study for or take an exam.
Honor Code
Students who seek an exam deferral pursuant to Academic Regulation 10.6 or an exam continuance pursuant to Academic Regulation 10.7 are subject to the Honor Code. Misrepresenting the circumstances establishing the need for a deferral or continuance would be a violation of the Honor Code and would be reported to the Board of Law Examiners as part of the Character & Fitness process.
Questions
If you have questions about how Regulations 10.6 and 10.9 would apply in certain circumstances or anticipate a possible situation, please contact Associate Dean Jodi Wilson, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Meredith Aden, or Law Registrar Cheryl Edwards so that we can answer your questions and, if appropriate, establish a proactive plan to deal with the situation should it arise.
If you are uncertain about whether a situation qualifies as an unreasonable hardship, please contact Associate Dean Jodi Wilson, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Meredith Aden, or Law Registrar Cheryl Edwards; let us make the call and help you address the situation.
