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Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend all scheduled meetings of classes in which they are enrolled; they have an obligation to contribute to the academic performance of all students by full participation in the work of each class. At the beginning of the semester, instructors explain the policy regarding absences in each of their classes, and thereafter they report to the A&S Office of Academic Services the name of any student whose achievement in a course is being adversely affected by excessive absences.

The faculty of the College of Arts and Science recognizes that occasions arise during the academic year that merit the excused absence of a student from a scheduled class or laboratory during which an examination, quiz, or other graded exercise is given. Examples include participation in sponsored university activities (e.g., debate team, varsity sports), observance of officially designated religious holidays, serious personal problems (e.g., serious illness, death of a family member), and matters relating to the student’s academic training (e.g., graduate or professional school interviews).

Dean’s Notifications

In circumstances involving greater urgency—when, for example, a student (1) has a serious illness, injury, or medical condition or treatment, or (2) is involved in a personal matter necessitating supportive measures to restore or preserve access to the university’s educational programs and activities, and (3) the situation is not reasonably likely to resolve immediately—the Office of Academic Services might send out a Dean’s Notification on the student’s behalf. In such cases, an appropriate university official working directly with the student—including, but not limited to, staff from Student Care Coordination (SCC), the University Counseling Center (UCC), the Student Health Center (SHC), Residential Experience, Project Safe, and the Title IX Office—must determine the situation qualifies for a Dean’s Notification. Upon making that determination, the official will notify SCC or the Title IX Office, as appropriate, to coordinate with the student’s academic dean to formally request that instructors provide flexibility with coursework and/or absence policies. Alternatively, a student may directly request a Dean’s Notification from the appropriate academic dean who will apply the same analysis and make a determination. In doing so, the academic dean may consult with SCC. It is the instructor’s prerogative to determine what, if any, adjustments are appropriate. It is the student’s responsibility to speak individually with each professor to discuss what, if any, adjustments are possible.

Dean’s Notifications are not reasonable accommodations as issued by Student Access, nor should they be used in lieu of a leave of absence. Dean’s Notifications generally expire two weeks after notice is sent by the academic dean to instructors. Flexibility for longer than two weeks should be evaluated by the appropriate academic dean in consultation with campus partners to determine if accommodations or a leave of absence is more appropriate. Supportive measures issued by the Title IX Office may be extended beyond the initial two-week period on a case-by-case basis.