Attendance

Classes are conducted on the premise that regular attendance is desirable. The individual instructor has responsibility for managing student attendance and for communicating at the beginning of each semester those class attendance policies which prevail in that course.

If a student is absent or anticipates an absence, the student’s primary responsibility is directly to the instructors and the student should consult with them accordingly. If a student anticipates absence for an extended period, the student should promptly notify instructors and be prepared to document the reason for extended absences.

Instructors or other university officials who may require students, individually or collectively, to be absent from their classes due to a field trip or similar officially-recognized activity are responsible for providing adequate information to the students involved so they may provide notice to other instructors.

Should there be cause on the part of the individuals involved to feel the reasons for absence were not considered with equity, a decision with punitive consequences may be appealed. The appeals procedure is the same as that provided for in each collegial unit for other academic, classroom-related items (grades, cheating, etc.). The student should submit the justification for the appeal in writing to the department chair and, if unsatisfactory, to the collegial dean. The final step in the appeals process rests with the student submitting a written statement requesting the consideration of the respective dean’s advisory council, indicating the specific nature of the appeal to be considered. The advisory council’s recommendation to the respective dean will be the last step for the student, and the dean’s decision will constitute the final determination for the university.

The routing of appeals shall be in the department and collegial unit offering the course in which the student is enrolled.