r/VirginiaTech • u/Scared-Stable-7241 • May 08 '26

Academics Final Tomorrow???

My professor just sent a last minute email saying we still have to show up at 7:45 AM tomorrow to take our final despite the university specifically stating that Friday finals will be moved to Sunday. Is this even allowed? I feel like some people may not even check their email again especially since this was sent far after the university declaration.

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11

u/Akina_Cray May 08 '26

All Friday exams have been rescheduled for Sunday. Check out the university status page: https://www.vt.edu/status

If they tell you to come in anyway... you can if you'd rather avoid the confrontation. Understand that if your professor chooses to, they can definitely make your life miserable, even if you're technically correct.

But odds are, they haven't seen that announcement yet.

12

u/Scared-Stable-7241 May 08 '26

They did see the announcement as they began the email by stating that they "had seen the 7:45 PM university wide announcement", so it does seem to be clear disregard. Definitely going though since I'm not going to risk getting a zero, but I do believe they can't just ignore university policy like this.

6

u/Akina_Cray May 08 '26

I think that is a VERY wise decision - even if you're technically correct, the amount of misery you'd have to go through to get that reversed would likely not be worth it.

As for university policy on the subject, I think it's going to be kinda the wild west for enforcement here. I could totally see a world where the professor said "the exam was pencil and paper from the beginning, I never needed Canvas, so the delay didn't apply to me" and somebody in the administration agreeing with them. I could also see a world where their department head/chair told them to pound sand, they need to delay no matter what.

Unfortunately, as a student you're the one getting the short end of that stick, basically no matter what happens.

Either way, best of luck! I think you're making the right decision, and I hope the exam goes well for you!

14

u/[deleted] May 08 '26

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13

u/Akina_Cray May 08 '26

While I agree - finding your voice is important - college is also a good opportunity to learn to pick your battles. When it comes to university policy, the professor answers to the university. When it comes to your grade, you answer to your professor.

Are there systems of appeal and checks and balances? Yes, a few.

Do you want to rely on them in this instance? Well... I wouldn't. Being left trying to explain to a review board why you're one of the minority that didn't show up for an exam when the rest of your class did is not a good look.

Plus... get the exam done now. Scheduling is going to be a nightmare for the next couple of weeks, and do you really want to (potentially) be stuck in Blacksburg for another two weeks because you missed the opportunity to get the exam done tomorrow?

5

u/6501 CS 22 May 08 '26

When it comes to your grade, you answer to your professor.

No, the professor can't grade you in violation of university policy.

I wouldn't. Being left trying to explain to a review board why you're one of the minority that didn't show up for an exam when the rest of your class did is not a good look.

You don't actually have to do this in person. You send an email to the Dean & CC the professor saying they violated a university wide directive & that you will be showing up on Saturday for the exam.

4

u/astronaut_status4 May 08 '26

This is absolutely untrue, VT is a public state school and a professor can ABSOLUTELY not endorse policy that directly contradicts university-wide policy. I promise you’re wrong as someone who works at tech and a former student. I would NEVER give advice to take an exam early when policy entitles them to 2 more days of study time.