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Monday, July 28, 2025

Student Assembly Passes Resolution to Create a 5-Day Study Period Before Final Exams

Student Assembly Passes Resolution to Create a 5-Day Study Period Before Final Exams

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The Student Assembly sent Resolution 43, which calls for an extended study period before finals, to President Michael Kotlikoff’s desk last Thursday, where it now awaits approval from him.

A three-day study period is currently in place for this year and is not subject to change. Implementing a five-day study period will require the administration and faculty to change the academic calendar per New York State’s requirement that colleges and universities have a minimum of 15 weeks per semester for a two-semester system. 

The study period does not count towards the 15-week minimum requirement — increasing the study period would likely lengthen the academic year.

The resolution highlighted the need for a 5-day study period to support students’ mental health needs, stating, “The current 3-day study period requires students to decide between taking care of themselves and studying to an adequate level for their final exams.”

A 4-day study period was in effect until the 2018-2019 academic year, when the University switched to the current 3-day system. 

Assembly members also suggested that Slope Day, an annual schoolwide concert held the day after classes, effectively shortens the three days to two as it coincides with the study period. According to the members, this furthers the need for a rehashed schedule. 

The meeting passed two additional resolutions, Resolution 44 and Resolution 51

Resolution 44 aims to “align housing and network policies with entrepreneurship goals.” The University’s current Academic Year Housing License explicitly prohibits students from “conducting commercial business or activity in university housing,” and creates a “significant barrier for student entrepreneurs who reside on campus,” according to the resolution. 

Resolution 51 seeks to replace Robert’s Rules with Ginsburg’s Rules to “[promote] accessibility, transparency, and inclusivity in student governance,” according to a draft of the resolution. 

Applying Ginsburg’s Rules to Assembly meetings would create a minimum debate time of 10 minutes and require at least a third of the voting body to engage in conversation before closing the debate — currently, Robert’s Rules has no time or minimum participation requirements for debate.  

The last Student Assembly meeting for the 2024-2025 academic year will be on May 1.


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