Today marks the start of the University’s concentrated study period, known to students as “dead week.”
The policy is designed to allow students to prepare for next week’s final exams.
“During this time, no extracurricular student activities, such as social and athletic events, will be held on or off campus,” the Faculty Handbook says. “There should be no major examinations in academic courses, other than those considered laboratory courses.”
Jane Cassidy, vice provost for academic affairs, says professors can still schedule tests worth less than 10 percent of students’ grades. Large projects assigned early in the semester can also be due during the period.
Despite the policy, many students say this week has been hectic, either because professors scheduled tests and papers before the week took effect or because professors violated the policies.
Many students on campus Tuesday said the dead week policy had largely been ineffective for them.
“I’ve got three papers due, a foreign language essay and my regular homework,” said David Benedetto, English sophomore. “I think it seems kind of useless that they aren’t bound to the rules like this.”
Ben Brown, biology freshman, said he’s also having a hectic week.
“This is my second exam of the day,” he said. “I don’t see how I’m supposed to focus on finals when they’re trying to cram all this in at the end.”
Others said the last week isn’t looking so bad.
“I had a paper due for a history class, but that’s about it,” said Caitlin McWilliams, history sophomore. “My week actually isn’t very bad.”
Student Government offers students a chance to officially complain about professors who violate dead week rules.
A “Dead Week Violation Form” can be found at the SG offices in the Student Union, behind Einstein Bros. Bagels, or can be downloaded on the SG website.
The forms can be turned in at the office or e-mailed to [email protected].
SG President J Hudson said SG Director of Academics Jeffrey Wale has tweaked the system so students can get feedback for their complaints.
“When a student turns it in, they’ll get an e-mail,” Hudson said. “That e-mail will say that ‘Yes, this is a violation, and we’ll look into it,’ or it’ll say, ‘This isn’t a violation.'”
Cassidy said she usually calls the professors to discuss dead week policies if students complain.
“Honestly, I think most faculty are aware of the policies and steer clear of it,” she said.
 
—-
Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]