Update fa25.md

Author: nargesnorouzi

faqs/fa25.md

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ course:
     comms_ta: Mayank Patil
     head_ta: Sara Pohland
     email: cs189-instructors@berkeley.edu
-    # final_exam_slot: Friday, May 16, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
+    # final_exam_slot: Tuesday, December 16, 8 am - 11 am
 
 
     # : https://cdss.berkeley.edu/classes-enrollment-info
@@ -49,8 +49,6 @@ If you are a Concurrent Enrollment student, you can find more information [here]
 
 The instructors are not able to provide permission codes or any new information about enrollment in CS 189/289A at this time. 
 
-<!-- TODO -->
-
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 ## What are the official prerequisites for this course?
 
@@ -60,7 +58,7 @@ The official prerequisites are:
 - **Linear Algebra**: MATH 54 or equivalent  
 - **Probability and Discrete Mathematics**: COMPSCI 70 or equivalent
 
-As with other enrollment matters, the instructors have no say on this matter, if you have _any_ questions regarding prerequisites, please email [cs-advising@berkeley.edu](mailto:cs-advising@berkeley.edu) (CS students) or [eecs-advising@berkeley.edu](mailto:eecs-advising@berkeley.edu) (EECS students)
+As with other enrollment matters, the instructors have no say on this matter. If you have _any_ questions regarding prerequisites, please email [cs-advising@berkeley.edu](mailto:cs-advising@berkeley.edu) (CS students) or [eecs-advising@berkeley.edu](mailto:eecs-advising@berkeley.edu) (EECS students)
 
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 ## Will the official prerequisites be enforced?
@@ -76,22 +74,19 @@ Graduate students should use the C200 class code, not C100: C200 has a proper gr
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 ## I am waitlisted. What should I do? What are my chances of getting into this class?
 
-We will decide during the first couple weeks of courses about whether to expand the course. Please do not reach out to the instructors about getting off of the waitlist before then. If you are on the waitlist, you are expected to keep up with course material.
-
-<!-- TODO -->
-
+The course is currently at its capacity due to the classroom size and the staff resources. Please do not reach out to the instructors about getting off the waitlist. If you are on the waitlist, you are expected to keep up with the course material in case spots open up in the course due to other students dropping the course.
 
 ---
 ## I have a Concurrent Enrollment Request that hasn't been approved yet. What should I do? What are my chances of getting into this class?
 
-By campus policy, we must first process the entire waitlist before we can admit you. We will do all we can to ensure all waitlisted students are promptly admitted so that you can also enroll in the course, though we cannot provide a 100% guarantee that will be the case. But we strongly suggest you start working on the course, following lectures, and turning in assignments from the start. This will prevent you from falling behind and will give you the best chance of success in the class.
+By campus policy, we must first process the entire waitlist before we can admit you. We will do all we can to ensure all waitlisted students are promptly admitted so that you can also enroll in the course, though we cannot provide a 100% guarantee that this will be the case. But we strongly suggest you start working on the course, following lectures, and turning in assignments from the start. This will prevent you from falling behind and will give you the best chance of success in the class.
 
 Note that once all CE requests are processed (in the first few weeks of classes), we will remove all temporarily added students who do not end up with permanent enrollment in the course.
 
 ---
 ## I am a campus student who wants to audit the course. What can I do?
 
-Most class materials are available online to all campus students, and you can access the lecture videos, slides, etc., without limit.
+Most class materials are available online to all campus students, and you can access the lecture videos, slides, etc., without limit. We kindly ask student authors not to attend the lecture in person, as the room is at capacity and enrolled students have priority to attend lectures.
 
 Note, however, that the class EdStem, our only other class resource, is **reserved for enrolled students and faculty auditors**, as homework details and solutions are discussed in that environment. Furthermore, we do not add auditors to bCourses, Pensieve, etc., as our limited instructional resources are reserved for officially enrolled students.
 
@@ -129,19 +124,16 @@ There will be no alternate final exam time beyond the standard time assigned by
 
 <!-- **Midterm** on **Wednesday March 12** from 8pm-10pm -->
 
-More information will be provided shortly after the semester begins, including instructions for students with DSP accommodations.
-
-<!-- TODO -->
+The midterm is on **Tuesday, October 21, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm**.
 
 ---
 
 ## What is the final exam schedule for this class?
 
-<!-- **Midterm** on **Wednesday March 12** from 8pm-10pm -->
 
-More information will be provided shortly after the semester begins, including instructions for students with DSP accommodations.
+<!-- **Midterm** on **Wednesday March 12** from 8pm-10pm -->
 
-<!-- TODO -->
+The final exam is on **Tuesday, December 16, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am**.
 
 ---
 
@@ -153,18 +145,16 @@ The basic policy is the following:
 
 * FINAL EXAM CONFLICTS: This class will **NOT** accommodate final exam conflicts.
 
-<!-- TODO -->
 
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-## I have a conflict for the final exam, what can I do?
+## I have a conflict for the final exam. What can I do?
 
 <!-- As per the [Campus Registrar](https://registrar.berkeley.edu/scheduling/academic-scheduling/academic-scheduling-final-exam-guide-and-schedules/){:target="_blank"}, 
 the final exam will be held {{page.course.final_exam_slot}}. The exam will be held **in person**, not online.  -->
 
 **The course does not allow for time conflicts.** Additionally, no accommodations will be made for travel.
 
-<!-- TODO -->
 
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 ## When will the full schedule of discussions be announced?
@@ -183,8 +173,6 @@ Check out the [course homepage]({{page.course.website}}) and the [resources page
 
 The EdStem will be made live in the first week of class.
 
-<!-- TODO -->
-
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 ## I can't find any information on bCourses. Why?
 
@@ -194,7 +182,7 @@ All class materials are available online through the website; communications hap
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 ## I have added the course later in the semester. Can I catch up? Can I be excused for all the late work?
 
-The answer to the first question is impossible to give in general, as it depends both on how late you add the course and what your own background is. But as a general rule, the course moves quite quickly and covers new ground from the start. We estimate most students will probably struggle to catch up effectively if they join any later than the first few days of the semester unless they have a particularly strong background already in the initial topics (Python and Pandas).
+The answer to the first question is impossible to give in general, as it depends both on how late you add the course and what your own background is. But as a general rule, the course moves quite quickly and covers new ground from the start. We estimate most students will probably struggle to catch up effectively if they join any later than the first few days of the semester, unless they have a particularly strong background already in the initial topics (Python and Pandas).
 
 As for the second part of this question (_Can I be excused for all late work?_), we will not be accommodating extensions beyond our extension policy below (see next question for details).
 
@@ -207,7 +195,7 @@ _If you are currently waitlisted/on the fence for adding this course,_ please se
 We have a generous slip days policy for assignments. This is meant to allow most students to manage delays that can occur due to illness, accidents, personal problems, etc. You _must use your slip days first for any and all circumstances that cause you to be late with an assignment_. You should not think of slip days as "free extra days to be late any time."
 
 We will only provide an extension in case of a _major and documented_ set of exceptional circumstances (death in the family, illness documented with medical paperwork, or similar). 
-In such case, please fill out the Additional Accommodations Form on the course website.
+In such a case, please fill out the Additional Accommodations Form on the course website.
 <!-- In such case, please fill out the [Additional Accommodations Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe23BU7DocByEPYt6YV00rOTn7K1AVj7Fqpw2eOgWG0Q5GtDw/viewform?usp=sharing){:target="_blank"}, providing documentation that supports your case. -->
 Given the already flexible slip days policy, these exceptions will only be granted sparingly. 
 
@@ -232,9 +220,10 @@ All applications for Academic Student Employee positions are managed centrally;
 ---
 ## Who do I contact if I have further questions? How do I email the instruction team?
 
+You may ask all your questions through EdSTEM which is monitored by instructors and TAs. If you have a confidential matter that you'd like to discuss privately, please e-mail [{{page.course.email}}](mailto:{{page.course.email}}) and one of the instructors will get back to you.
+
 <!-- Please e-mail [{{page.course.email}}](mailto:{{page.course.email}}) and one of the instructors will get back to you. Note that to ensure more timely responses, this address is monitored by the team of the two lead instructors (Josh Grossman and Michael Xiao), the Head TAs, and multiple lead GSIs. You can contact Josh and Michael directly for matters that require strict privacy and their direct attention. -->
 
-<!-- TODO -->
 
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 We’re excited to have you in the class!