Reply #72: What does your syllabus say?

[oldcoot]

Do you clearly state all of the requirements for the course in your syllabus(I am assuming you teach college)? Does your syllabus list when each homework assignment is due? Does your syllabus clearly state your policy for making up exams? If the answer to all of these questions is "yes," then there is no reason for you to allow this student to take the test.

If you decide to allow him to take the exam he missed, you should not give him the same version you gave the other students. Instead, you make sure to give him a more difficult exam because he had more time to prepare for it. Another advantage of giving this student a harder exam is that you will not be rewarding his immature behavior.

Unfortunately, you must be prepared for the possibility that this student might complain to your supervisor or department chair about your "unfair" policy if you do not allow this student to take the exam. If I think that a student might complain about me, I try to warn the chair of my department in advance. You could also provide your supervisor with a copy of your syllabus so that he or she can refer to it if necessary.