Student Guidance for Virtual Final Exams


December 15, 2021

Dear Students:

Earlier today, the university sent a message to the GW community sharing that, effective immediately, all in-person social gatherings and events are cancelled. In addition, exams scheduled for Friday, Dec. 17 through the end of the semester will be held virtually. We understand that this may cause challenges during an already-busy final exams period, and we appreciate your patience as we work to ensure the health and safety of our community. 

Your instructors will reach out soon, if they have not already, to provide information about any changes to the format of your final exams; exams must be administered at the time they were originally scheduled. ​Please read below for additional guidance. Students at the Law School will receive separate information about Law School protocols.
 

Exams on Thursday, Dec. 16

Exams originally scheduled to take place in-person tomorrow will continue in this format unless you receive alternate plans from your instructor.
 

Student Absences from Exams

Please note that departure from campus and any other travel plans are not an excused absence from a final exam. If you are a residential student, residence halls will remain open until Thursday, Dec. 23 at noon, and you may plan to stay on-campus until that time if necessary. 
 

Assistance with Virtual Final Exams

If you need assistance navigating your virtual final exam software, please refer to the Instructional Technology Student Guides. Any hardware or account issues should be directed to the IT Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), [email protected], or http://it.gwu.edu
 

Library Access

All GW libraries (Gelman, Eckles, VSTC, Himmelfarb, and Burns Law Library) will remain open for their currently posted operating hours for students who will need to access library resources to complete academic work. This includes access to library PCs and Macs in order to complete virtual exams on-camera. 


Students with Approved Accommodations through Disability Support Services (DSS)

University exams should be administered through Blackboard as that is the most accessible platform. For students who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing, faculty have been advised to provide each student’s CART provider and/or ASL interpreter access to Blackboard platforms and/or Zoom links to ensure full access to testing material. Faculty have been reminded that all PDFs must be accessible and DSS is on standby to provide remediation support in advance of exams. 

If you encounter barriers to access or extended time during your testing experience, please contact Disability Support Services at [email protected] or 202-994-8250.

Research and Lab Space

Research and lab spaces will remain open at their regularly scheduled times until further notice.


Campus Resources During Final Exams

The Colonial Health Center will remain open through Dec. 23 from 8:30-5:00pm with in-person and telehealth services available. Most campus resources will remain open through Dec. 23. Please keep an eye on your email for any changes to operating hours.

 

Once again, thank you for your patience and cooperation, and I wish you the best of luck on your final exams this semester.
 

Sincerely,

Christopher Alan Bracey
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of Law