Hello everyone,

As you all know, the weather is bad today, and it will get worse. Some of you will have trouble gettting to campus in order to take the final exam in APPM 1350 this afternoon.  We don't want to put anyone at risk of a serious accident on the roads.  Here is our resolution of the problem.

The final exam in APPM 1350 will be OPTIONAL.
a)  If you take the final, your grade for the course will be based on what the course syllabus promises: 3 unit exams, a final exam, homework and quizzes.
b) If you do NOT take the final, you grade will be based on 3 unit exams, homework, quizzes, but NO FINAL.
c)  If you are unable to take the final now but you want to take it (because you think the final exam will put your grade where you want it to be), we will offer a make-up final sometime in January, 2007. Your grade for the course will be based on no final, as discussed in (b), but you will be allowed to take the late final in January, and to get your grade changed AFTER that exam.  The time and place for next January's make-up final will be announced later.

Either we'll see you later this afternoon or we won't.   Either way, have a good break.

            Harvey Segur (1350-020) for
            Mary Nelson (1350-010)
            Laurel Mayhew (1350-030)
            Anca Radulescu (1350-050)
            Matt Tearle (1350-060)

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Some of you had trouble with section 3.6, on optimization.  But when it comes to optimizing your own grade, you know exactly what to do!

Minutes after the previous message went out, I had 5 emails asking if a student could take today's final, and then decide whether to turn it in.  (As we did with the exam on Dec. 13.)

a) In the spirit of the generosity that we associate with the holiday season, you will be allowed to take today's exam, and then decide whether to turn it in. If you turn it in, then it will be graded and your course grade will be based on 3 unit exams, the final, homework and quizzes, as stated in the course syllabus.  You will NOT be allowed to take the make-up final in January.

b) If you do not take today's exam, or if you choose not to turn it in, then you will be allowed to sign up in January for the make-up exam (also in January).  Once you sign up, then you will be required to take that exam.  Your course grade might be revised after that exam, based on your performance on that exam.  (It could get better or worse.)

c)  If you do not turn in today's final (whether you looked at it or not), and if you do not take the make-up exam in January, then your course grade will be based on your performance in the rest of the course: 3 unit exams, homework, quizzes, but NO FINAL.

I hope that covers all possible options.

            Harvey Segur

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You do not need to say in advance which option you're taking.  But please copy your message above to the instructor of your section and to your TA, so that two other people will be watching for the message about the January exam.

       Good luck,

        Harvey Segur