Attendance
Regular attendance in all classes is assumed. Each instructor determines the relationship between class attendance, the objectives of the class and the student’s grade. The instructor is responsible for informing students of attendance policies and the effect of attendance on their grade. The student is responsible for knowing the policy of each course in which he or she enrolls.
Only the instructor can approve a student request to be absent from class. The student is responsible for requesting such approval when absence is unavoidable.
Students involved in University-sponsored activities, including intercollegiate athletics, may need to be excused from a class, lab, or studio meeting. In all instances it is the student’s responsibility to present a written request for permission for the absence from the instructor. The student must also discuss how the absence will affect his/her ability to meet the course requirements. Students should do this a early in the semester as possible. While instructors should seek to the greatest extent possible, consistent with course requirements, to make reasonable accommodations for a student involved in University-sponsored activities, students should recognize that not every course can accommodate absences and neither the absence (nor the notification of an absence) relieves them from meeting the course requirements.
In recognition of the diversity of the student body, the University provides that a student may request an excused absence from class for participation in religious observances. In such instances, it is the student’s responsibility to request, in writing, that the instructor permit the absence. The student must also discuss how the absence will affect the student’s ability to meet the course requirements. A student should make any such requests before the course drop deadline for the semester.
Attendance during the first two class sessions is required. The instructor has the option to drop a student from class if he or she does not attend the first two hours during which the class meets, in order to allow other students to enroll. Once notified by the instructor, the Office of the Registrar will contact the student to confirm non-attendance. The student will be issued a drop by the instructor from the course if prior to the drop deadline for the given term or issued a grade of UW if after the drop deadline for a given course. Not all instructors will exercise this option; therefore, a student should not assume that non-attendance will automatically drop him or her from class.