Attendance and Absences

Each student is expected to attend all lectures, seminars, laboratories and field work for each registered class, including the first class session, in order to verify registration with instructors and to complete all work assigned for the course. Failure to observe this policy may seriously jeopardize a student’s academic standing.

If a student does not attend class during the first week (first five instructional days) of the semester and does not give prior notification to the instructor of reasons for absence and intent to attend the class, the student will be dropped from the course.

A student is permitted one unexcused absence for each credit hour generated by the class. For example, two (2) absences are allowed in a two-hour class. Excessive absenteeism, whether excused or unexcused, may result in a student’s course grade being reduced in an assignment of a grade of “F”.

At the beginning of the class, the instructor is responsible for having listed on his or her syllabus the University Attendance Policy. The student will be held responsible for adhering to the University Attendance Policy. Instructors of courses are not obligated to provide makeup opportunities for students who are absent, unless the absences have been officially approved.

An officially approved absence, however, merely gives the individual who missed the class an opportunity to make up the work and in no way excuses him or her from the work required. Official excuses are granted by the Office of Student Affairs for authorized University activities, verified personal illness or illness or death in the immediate family.

Absences will count from the first day of registration for each course. Students receiving veteran’s benefits are required to attend classes according to the regulations of the Veterans Administration in addition to those regulations set by the University for all students. It is the responsibility of the instructor to keep an accurate attendance record of all students enrolled. Students should understand that absences may jeopardize their grades. It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from the University or drop a course.