Academic Information in Case of a Government Shutdown

Updated 22 January 2018

The following is guidance from the Office of the Academic Dean and Provost regarding academic activities during a government shutdown. Typically, in the event of a shutdown, civilian employees will not be permitted to work; however, military personnel will be permitted to work. While the impact caused by the absence of more than half of the personnel who support our academic program is significant and will require interruption to much of our academic program, this guidance is intended to keep the most basic elements of our USNA mission functioning on a temporary basis.

Classes | Final Exams | Grades | FAQs

Classes:

During a government shutdown, all students must report to scheduled classes as usual. Military instructors will likely hold classes as usual, and even sections with civilian instructors may have a military faculty member substitute. If any section's instructor (or substitute) does not report to the classroom for the scheduled class within 10 minutes of the start of the period, the section leader is to take roll for the section and report the accountability to the appropriate department office (e.g., for a history class, the section leader should go to the history department's main office; for a math class, the section leader should go to the math department office, etc.). 

Final exams:

All final exams will be held as scheduled -- no exceptions. All departments should have a plan to administer final exams at their designated times, even in the case of a shutdown. Consistent with our normal policies, there will be NO canceling of final exams, NO rescheduling of final exams and NO "take-home" final exams. No exceptions. 

Grades/MAPRs:

Grades and MAPRs should be entered as close to the originally-scheduled deadlines as possible. However, it is recognized that - depending on the timing and duration of a shutdown - additional time may be required to complete grading and/or MAPR entries, even once the shutdown ceases. If additional deadline extensions are required, these new deadlines will be communicated as soon as possible.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• FAQ 1:
  • Q: What are midshipmen supposed to do if there is no instructor?
  • A: Midshipmen should follow guidance set forth by their instructors -- usually disseminated prior to the shutdown. If limited or no guidance was provided by the instructor, midshipmen should use the class time wisely to review/study class material, e.g., in preparation for the final exam. The midshipmen must stay in the classroom until dismissed by either a member of the department (faculty or staff member), or the section leader if no faculty or staff member is present (see above) -- but no sooner than 10 minutes after the start of the period.
• FAQ 2:
  • Q: Why do midshipmen have to walk over to their classroom if they know their instructor is not going to be there?
  • A: Accountability is the primary reason. If a midshipman is missing, hurt or otherwise needs help, accountability helps us to learn that information sooner rather than later. In addition, if the department has additional shutdown-related, course-related, or other information to communicate to the section, convening the section as usual gives an opportunity to do so.
• FAQ 3:
  • Q: If a midshipman had an approved time to take an alternate exam; can the midshipman still take it at the approved (alternate) time?
  • A: Yes. The midshipman should coordinate with the department's main office if there are any emergent concerns.
• FAQ 4:
  • Q: If a midshipman wants to request an alternate exam time (not already approved), is that possible?
  • A: No. The deadline for requests was Thursday, 27 April. In the instruction it stated there would be no exceptions, and a government shutdown does not change that.
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Note that this information may be updated as schedules change and/or additional information is made available. 

For more information on the impacts of a government shutdown, please contact USNA's Human Resources Department: Public |  Intranet Human Resources Department