The Undergraduate Assembly passed a unanimous proposal last night to rework four logistical aspects of Penn's final exam period.
The proposal calls for an increase in the time between examinations, from 30 minutes to one hour, as well as a shift of the daily exam schedule. If the proposal is implemented, the "first examination period of each day [would] begin at 9 a.m.," with the last period concluding at 8 p.m., according to proposal author and Engineering junior Sean Lambert.
Lambert also advocated changing the current policy on rescheduling exams. Currently, students can reschedule exams if they have more than two in a calendar day. Under Lambert's proposed changes, a student could reschedule an exam if he or she had more than two in a 24-hour period or more than four in a 48-hour period.
"I want the final exam policy to be more fair for all students," Lambert said.
Lambert and his peers on the UA believe that the new policy would indeed be fairer for all students because it stems directly from their opinions.
"The proposal is supported by extensive surveying of the student body," UA Chairman and College senior Jason Levy said. Lambert based his proposal on 403 responses obtained from an online survey that asked undergraduates about their experiences during past exam periods.
Many cited the fact that there was not enough time for them to eat, rest or study in between exams. Respondents also said that they need to be able to sleep later to cope with the stress of studying.
UA Education Committee Chairwoman Cynthia Wong said that she has had to deal with the pressure of taking three exams within a 24-hour period and can understand the toll it takes on students.
"During finals, when there's so much stress and so many things to worry about, anything that can alleviate the stress is going to be helpful," the Wharton sophomore said.
Though the proposal still must gain administrative approval in order to be implemented, many UA members seemed optimistic and committed to the proposal's success.
"We're not going to sleep until this proposal is implemented by the administration," Levy said. "I'm confident that this reflects what students want and what's best for them."
Engineering senior and UA Vice Chairman Matt Lattman echoed Levy's sentiments, specifically highlighting the value of student input.
"Anytime we're able to take 400 student opinions and turn it into a proposal based on strong majorities, we've succeeded in aiding the student body," he said.
