Absence Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines expectations and resources to support communication between student and faculty when unavoidable and unanticipated absences occur.

This policy is not intended to replace the established academic accommodations process for documented disabilities. Students who wish to establish accommodations through the Disability Services Office should follow the steps outlined on the Disability Services for Current Students webpage.

Scope

This policy applies to all students in all programs.

Policy

Scheduled courses allow students to avoid conflicts and reflect the University’s expectation that students will regularly and meaningfully engage in and complete instructor-required class meetings, online learning activities, labs, clinic hours, and other activities assigned as outlined in the course syllabus. The University recognizes that in some circumstances, conflicts with class/laboratory or clinic are unavoidable, or unexpected, and it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to communicate with their faculty when they must miss a required academic activity. It is within the purview of the  course instructor to determine options for missing class, labs, and other scheduled learning activities, and for completing missed course requirements.

The policy does not, in any way, release students from the responsibility of satisfying all requirements necessary for the successful completion of any course. The number of allowed absences varies per course based on the nature of the course and is clarified by the syllabus. Extended absences, or absences which result in the student missing critical learning activities that are central to the course, or meeting the course requirements, may prompt the University to recommend or require withdrawal from that course. In some circumstances, an incomplete may be appropriate, and students may request that option in accordance with the Academic Evaluation and Grade Policy.

Effective: May 1st, 2022

Procedure

1. Instructors are expected to establish, and clearly communicate in the course syllabus, attendance policies relevant to individual courses. Additionally, instructors must clearly and explicitly state, in their course syllabus, the number of allowed absences and procedures in which assignments and assessments can be made up. Course attendance policies must be consistent with university policy. Clinic Departments may establish more specific criteria for notifying instructors/clinic supervisors and completing clinic hours. (See Clinic Handbook for each program)
2.  When conflicts or absences can be anticipated, such as University sponsored activities or religious observances, the student should inform the instructor of the situation as far in advance as possible. Students with unanticipated absences of three full days or longer should complete the Absence Notification Form available on the Registrar’s page of the University website as soon as possible. Instructors identified on the Absence Notification Form will be notified of the absence upon receipt of the form and supporting documentation, if required (see examples below). Completion of the Absence Notification Form is a notification tool only and does not guarantee the absence will be excused by the instructor. The Absence Notification Form can be found on the Registrar’s page of the university’s website: Registrar Office .
   1. Examples of unanticipated absences include but are not limited to:
      1.  Grief/Bereavement
      2. Illness, physical or mental, of the student or a student’s dependent, except for a single episode medical absence that does not require medical services. - Documentation from an appropriate health care provider may be required
      3.  Jury Duty - Documentation required. Many states allow students to postpone or be excused from jury duty. Review the jury duty summons to determine if this option is available.
      4. Graduate or professional school admissions interviews and associated testing (MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.). Documentation required
      5.  Military Service - Documentation required
      6.  Religious Observances
      7.  Subpoena: The student must follow up with their instructor(s)/clinic supervisor(s) to discuss timelines for completion of missed academic coursework, labs and or clinic hours.  - Documentation required
3.  Faculty should make arrangements for students to complete assessments of student learning (exams, proficiencies, assignments, etc.).
4.  Should a student need to withdraw from a course under the circumstances outlined in this policy after the withdrawal period, the student can petition the University for relief under the Compassionate Withdrawal Appeal Process:

Compassionate Withdrawal - Students who experience extreme hardship and must withdraw from courses and the University past the withdrawal date may appeal for a compassionate withdrawal. If an appeal for compassionate withdrawal is granted the student will receive a W grade. Criteria for a compassionate withdrawal may include, but are not limited to:

• Extreme medical hardship Natural disaster
• Death in the family