General Guidance
We recognize that the Canvas outage has created significant disruption during finals week for both students and instructors. Faculty are encouraged to use reasonable flexibility and professional judgment in helping students complete course requirements while maintaining essential learning objectives.
Because student circumstances vary widely, flexibility options may differ by course, assessment type, and individual student situation.
Departments will serve as the first level of support and resolution for issues that cannot be resolved directly between students and instructors.
We are here to help course instructors facing difficulties. The Office of Academic Programs is ready to provide exam proctors, exam space, and advice on alternative exam delivery or grade options. Reach out and let us know how we can help.
Final Exams
What if a student cannot attend the scheduled final exam?
Faculty have several options to support students who cannot attend a scheduled final exam, regardless of the reason.
Possible options include:
- Conflict exam arrangements
- Remote or take-home exams
- Alternative assessments
- Reweighting previously completed coursework
- Deadline extensions
- Incomplete grades, where appropriate
Approaches may vary by course and at the instructor's discretion.
Can students request a conflict exam?
Yes. Students may request a conflict exam if:
- They have another exam scheduled within a 24-hour period, or
- They have another documented scheduling conflict.
What flexibility options are available to instructors?
Depending on course learning objectives and operational constraints, instructors may choose to:
- Offer an alternative exam format
- Provide a remote or take-home assessment
- Extend deadlines
- Substitute another assessment activity
- Reweight previously completed coursework
- Cancel the final exam and calculate grades based on completed work already submitted
These decisions remain at the instructor's discretion and may vary by course.
Non-Exam Final Assessments
Should I extend deadlines for papers or projects?
Faculty are encouraged to adjust deadlines where appropriate, considering the outage and resulting disruptions to student schedules and access to course materials.
How should I handle final presentations?
Please use your judgment to determine the best way to meet the course learning objectives while accommodating students' circumstances.
Possible alternatives include:
- Live online presentations
- Slide deck submission
- Recorded presentations
- Alternative written or reflective assignments
Please note that not all students may have reliable technology or recording capabilities.
Incomplete Grades
Can students receive an incomplete because of the outage?
As a last resort, this situation may qualify students for an incomplete (“I”) grade if circumstances prevent completion of course requirements by the end of the term.
Whenever possible, completing final assessments during the current semester is strongly preferred.
How do undergraduate incompletes work?
Undergraduate students must request an incomplete through their home college. Only the student’s home college can approve the request.
ACES students should use the ACES Incomplete Grade Request Form: https://aces.illinois.edu/academics/current-students/forms-petitions#incompletegraderequest
How do graduate student incompletes work?
For graduate students, incomplete grades are assigned at the instructor’s discretion in accordance with the Student Code.
The instructor determines the extension timeline associated with the incomplete grade. The Graduate College may grant reasonable extensions when justified.
Grade Submission
What if the outage delays grading or final grade submission?
Faculty should follow normal late-grade submission procedures.
Conflict Resolution and Escalation
What should students do if they cannot reach an agreement with the instructor?
Students should first work directly with the instructor whenever possible.
If a resolution cannot be reached, students should contact the department head or unit executive officer, as departments serve as the first level of review and resolution.
If additional review is needed, students or departments may contact the College of ACES Office of Academic Programs.
What should I do if my exam was scheduled through the CBTF?
The CBTF scheduler has reopened. Students may begin scheduling exams starting Saturday using available time slots. The CBTF has expanded both operating hours and testing capacity.