Wed, 13 Oct 2021, 04:15 A few comments on the way the exam will be administered tomorrow

My students,

It is very important to me that the exam be conduced in a way that everyone
has an equal shot at performing well, and no cheating goes on.  Over the years
I have found that the following simple rules provide a level playing field, so
please be sure to follow them.

1. We have two classrooms that have good writing surfaces to allow you to take
the exam properly social distanced, and not cramped.  It took us a few attempts
to get good rooms, but thanks to Sabee not willing to give up, we succeeded.

2. If you bring bags, etc. to the exam, please leave them at the front of the
room.  At your seat you must only have the exam, three sheets of paper, and
sufficient pens or pencils to take the exam.  No laptops, cell phones, or other
electronics.  If you bring any with you, be sure to place them somewhere
completely out of sight and not available for your use.

3. You will have 80 minutes to take the exam.  If you finish early, you can
bring the exam to one of the TAs and then leave the exam room.

4. When time expires you will be expected to put your pens/pencils away and
cease writing on the exam.  Continuing to write after you are told the exam is
over will mean a 0 on the exam.  Put your name on all sheets before you start
so you do not end up getting 0 on the exam because you were only writing your
name on the pages of the exam.

5. When you turn in your exam to a TA, you will also show him your UT ID card
so he can verify that it is you.  There have been instances in the past where
students have paid advanced students to take the exam for them.  With 184
students in our class, some may consider that an opportunity.  The ID card is
necessary for us to verify that it is you.  If you do not have your ID card,
you will be asked to wait until all the exams are collected and we will verify
you via the Registrar's photo roster.  ...and that will waste your time.

Sorry to have to impose these rules, but I really do want a level playing field
with no cheating, and although just about all of you would never cheat, I need
to dissuade the few who might consider it.

On a happy note, the exam is now ready for you, and I hope you do well on it,
and are on your way to performing well in the course.

Good luck.  ...and stay safe.

Yale Patt