Changes proposed by Student Congress could lessen the workload for students during pre-finals week and entirely prohibit faculty from changing a class syllabus.

The current policy outlined in the OU Faculty Handbook prohibits instructors from assigning projects during pre-finals week, and any assignments due that week must be equal to or less than 10 percent of the class’s total grade.

The proposal would cut the grade percentages assigned during pre-finals week to 5 percent. It would also prohibit professors from giving assignments that week that were not in the initial syllabus.

“I believe a syllabus is a contract, but more policies equal constricted teaching,” said zoology professor Laurie Vitt, a member of the Faculty Senate. “I’ll be honest. I read very few policies. If every evening I read every e-mail I got from the university and department, that’s all I’d do all day.”

Chemistry professor LeRoy Blank, member of the Faculty Senate, proposed altering the plan to allow professors to make changes to the syllabus during the semester, as long as they announce it at least 30 days beforehand and the department chair approves the change.

“The main thing we are trying to hold on to is 5 percent,” said Frank Wood, academic affairs chairman for the Undergraduate Student Congress.

The 5 percent policy would give students more time to focus on studying for finals, therefore allowing the retention of more information for classes that follow, Wood said.

The changes to the OU Faculty Handbook will be up for vote March 9.