Students who expect to succeed academically must attend all classes regularly. Individual professors usually state their attendance policy in the course syllabus. Professors design a variety of activities during class time to address different learning goals for their class, and many of these activities require active participation of all students.
However, students sometimes have good reasons that prevent them from attending class. Students are responsible for taking the initiative to make up all work missed during absences. Students should notify professors in advance whenever possible, even if the absence is for a “good reason.” A “good reason” for class absence might be:
- Illness
- Absence on college business (including athletic events)
- Attendance of field trips
- Emergency situations, such as the death or very serious illness of a close relative, an accident or mechanical failure of a vehicle en route to school, or seriously hazardous travel conditions.
Absences due to field trips will be announced by the dean’s office. The student life office will validate absences due to family illness, death or pressing personal matters. This office will also inform faculty of students who drop out of school or miss classes due to hospitalization or family responsibilities.