Feeling good the morning after

A recent USG initiative led by academics chair Benjamin Lund '10 has resulted in Registrar Polly Griffin agreeing to eliminate the 9 a.m. exam slot on the day after Dean's Date. The change is significant. For the many students who pull all-nighters to meet deadlines, the time following Dean's Date is a valuable opportunity to catch up on sleep to be well rested for exams. Dean's Date also brings with it a set of traditions, including Dean's Date Theater, USG-led festivities and the opportunity to celebrate with friends. A 9 a.m. final following Dean's Date forced students to spend that time cramming and prevented them from participating in the campus-wide camaraderie of Dean's Date festivities. Moreover, students with a sizeable workload for Dean's Date were significantly disadvantaged relative to their classmates without assignments, who had the entirety of reading period to prepare and rest up for Wednesday morning.

The success of the USG's initiative to change the exam schedule this semester is in part a result of Lund's effort to create a good working relationship with University administrators like Griffin over the past year. Recent collaborations between the USG and administrators on peer advising, online course evaluations and the Majors Fair have created an atmosphere in which the USG can work productively with the administration on further reforms. Given that the Registrar's Office faces many constraints when scheduling exams like minimizing the number of weekend exams, and ensuring students only have to take one exam per day, it had tried to utilize every available time period. But when the Registrar's Office was made aware that a small reduction in the number of exam slots could have a very desirable result for students, it responded quickly and adjusted its policies.

For students whose exposure to the USG has been defined by study breaks and mismanaged elections, this tangible and salient change to University policy catalyzed by the USG may come as a surprise. But the success of the negotiations between the USG and the Registrar's Office illustrates that the USG has the capability to effect sensible changes to University policies that benefit students. By creating constructive partnerships with administrators and advocating for a realistic and useful reform, Lund and the USG have substantially improved the Dean's Date experience for many students. One hopes the new USG administration will consider these lessons when advocating on behalf of student interests.