Junette Reyes/Staff Writer
The first day of class tends to act as a preview for the rest of the semester in terms of what to expect: the grading system, class content, assignments, examinations and so on. Each professor lays down what their expectations are in terms of assignments and examinations, and the possibility of making up for these incase they are missed. Each professor has his or her own policy.
The policies for make-ups vary from course to course; with some professors forbidding them, while others make exceptions for illness, transportation difficulties and/or personal or family issues.
Such events are, at times, unforeseeable and it is the student’s responsibility to immediately inform their professors should any of them occur.
The topic of make-ups can be quite tricky for professors. It can force them to go out of their way in order to set up a meeting place for the inconceivable number of students who need to re-take, or make up, exams when class hours, office hours and the like are not an option. The absence of a teaching assistant only makes the situation even more difficult for professors who can easily spread themselves too thin.
One solution that many professors have opted for is a policy that does not allow any sort of make-ups.
This, however, might not be the most popular or fairest option when it comes to the students. The events that can justify a make-up can be unpredictable, and the way students perform or function can vary greatly. Especially when dealing with personal or family illness and death in the family.
A possible option would be to simply drop the grade for the exam or assignment that could not be completed, due to serious circumstances, so as to not allow it to affect the student’s final grade. It would not eliminate the necessity for make-ups as a whole, but it is certainly a possible alternative to the frustrating situation. Especially if students go about it intelligently, saving their “get out of jail” free card, so to speak, until absolutely needed.
junette.reyes@fiusm.com
