Rice University Committee on Examinations and Standing records

The Committee on Examinations and Standing is one of fifteen committees of the University whose members are recommended to the President by the Faculty Senate and decided upon by the President. This particular committee is made up of fifteen members, twelve faculty and three undergraduate representatives. The charge of this committee is to interpret and enforce the academic regulations of the University and to approve exceptions to them when in the judgment of the committee they are warranted.

When an instance of non-compliance with an academic regulation occurs, an undergraduate student may petition this committee to have an exception granted. For instance, students may petition to add or drop a course after the deadline, for permission to return to the University after an academic suspension, for waivers of rules or requirements, and for other actions pertaining to their academic status.

In addition the committee periodically reviews studies of the academic regulations with the purpose of improving them, simplifying them, and eliminating contradictions and inequities. The committee also reviews each student’s record at the time of graduation and determines which students to recommend to the faculty to be granted degrees cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude.

At the end of the academic year the committee prepares a written report on its activities during the year and submits copies of this report to the President and the University Counsel.

(Note: details provided here describe the status of the Committee on Examinations and Standing as it exists in April 2015; details like size and composition undoubtedly have varied over the time period represented in the collection.)