Final exams given on Saturdays?

I know I am planning early, but I would like to take advantage of a Southwest Air sale and purchase a plane ticket for Christmas break. It looks like exams are planned from Tuesday, Dec.15 through Saturday, Dec. 20, and break officially starts Sunday, Dec. 20. Do students really have exams on Saturdays? In general, would a plane ticket for Saturday morning or evening be fine, or should I really purchase one for Sunday morning?

Yes, exams do take place on the weekends. Here is a link to the exam schedules for the last academic year. https://www.rochester.edu/registrar/examschedule.html

Very helpful, ChowdyCat. Thanks.

Is there a specific time students need to leave the dorm-say by noon on the 20th? I have looked for this info and haven’t seen it.

If finals are on that Saturday, then they wouldn’t make you exit the dorms by noon on that day. Maybe by 5 pm, or maybe the next day.

In spite of the potential cost difference, you might want to wait to know your student’s schedule. Often kids are finished before the end and leave days earlier accordingly. You could be missing out on 2 - 3 days more time together. Flights on Southwest to BWI tend to run around $100 even at normal times as long as you purchase them at least three weeks in advance. I always made my guy’s flight arrangement as soon as I knew his schedule. Now that he’s an RA I know he needs to stay until the end, but RAs also stay some days on breaks, so I still need to wait to see what his days are…

Per my kid, who was an RA, they want you out that day because the RA’s have to go through and clear out everything - including all the contraband lamps, etc. they find - and then the housing people come in. In other words, the RA’s have to leave too. But they take special requests.

Creekland’s Son here: Reslife’s policy is that you should leave your dorm within 48 hours of completing your last final. This is mainly to encourage students to leave the dorms at a manageable pace (instead of a mad dash at the end). However, no one is actually checking to see if you are gone in accordance with this policy. You will let your RA know when you plan to leave, and that time is when we check your room (once all of the room’s inhabitants are gone). This past winter break, the RAs (and our residents) had to be out of our “non-break” dorms by 9AM the day after finals were over… so I wouldn’t rely on a noon kickout time, but you are more than welcome to wait for your taxi/plane elsewhere if you have a later flight.

As for any students wishing to stay on campus during the winter break, certain buildings are left open (Sue B., Southside, Riverview, and Brooke’s Crossing… this may be subject to change each year). You would have to find a friend to stay with in one of these buildings (or use the room of such a friend if they are gone) during winter break, and then sign-up with Reslife to let them know you’ll be around. Then your ID card won’t be deactivated, allowing you into the buildings. Otherwise, the rest of the “non-break” dorms are closed off during break. My suggestion would be to wait until you get your exam schedules from your professors (handed out the first day of classes). You can then buy your ticket and still be early enough to get a good deal.

Thanks so much @Creekland and son.