Faculty Handbook: Student Absences

Article IV

1. Students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. A student who does not complete assigned academic work because of absence from class is responsible for making up that work in accordance with instructions provided by the faculty member consistent with any policy established by the faculty of the respective department or division. Divisional or departmental faculty, the course director, or the instructor may establish attendance standards and will determine whether a student will be permitted to make up work missed as a result of absence(s). There will be no "Dean's Excuse" or "Official Absence." However, a student, who is also a member of a national guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency or military reserve unit and is called to active duty while the University is in session, will be permitted to make up work missed as a result of such absences for up to two weeks of absences, provided that to do so does not require the instructor to engage in individualized tutorial work with the student. Recognizing that some students have contractual obligations to the University, while others are participating in intercollegiate events at the behest of their departments, faculty are encouraged to make accommodations for absences incurred because of these responsibilities. In enforcing their absence policy, it is recommended that faculty give due consideration to the important role that extracurricular activities play in the development of students, as well as to the benefits they provide to both our university and community.

   Students must notify instructors of any scheduled absences within the first two weeks of the semester. In the case of later qualifying events, the instructor must be informed two weeks prior to those events. Instructors are encouraged to advise students of their absence policy at the beginning of the semester.

2. The instructor is expected to report to the Office of the Registrar the names of students whose absences from class, whether prolonged or intermittent, are judged to have a serious effect upon their performance in the course. The Registrar will be responsible for sending this information to the office of the appropriate Dean.
   
   
3. Faculty members who schedule co-curricular activities conflicting with a student's other scheduled class sessions will be responsible for giving students as much advance notice as possible. The student will be expected to inform his or her other instructors and arrange for whatever makeup work, including examinations, may be required. If a satisfactory arrangement cannot be made, the student may appeal to the Dean of the school or college in which he or she is enrolled.
   
   
4. Within a reasonable time following the beginning of a semester or other session the Registrar will distribute a specially identified class roster, which may be electronic, in duplicate, to each instructor. The instructor will verify and correct the roster on the basis of participation in the course and return it to the Registrar with needed changes within a specified period of time.