Academic Review Board: Grievances and Grade Appeals
Undergraduate Attendance Policy
Student attendance is defined as not only being physically present but being fully engaged with the material covered in each class.
Faculty will record student attendance for all classes; however, the calculation of the 20% threshold referenced in this policy begins after the Add/Drop period. Attendance is a requirement for class participation and students are marked “absent” unless they secure an “excused absence” clearance, preferably prior to being absent, where possible.
Students must complete an Excused Absence Request Form, which is submitted to the Retention Coordinator with supporting documentation. The Retention Coordinator will determine what constitutes a valid excuse for a post-Add/Drop absence – usually a medical excuse or emergency, supported by appropriate documentation as decided by the Retention Coordinator, or a documented athletic competition.
As needed, the Retention Coordinator will consult with, and/or refer requests for excused absences to the Coordinator of Accessibility Services, or the Fastrak Coordinator. In accordance with University policy, students who secure an excused absence through this process are responsible for making up any course work that they miss; the course instructor(s), in consultation with the Retention Coordinator, will determine what, if any, reasonable accommodations may apply.
All Faculty are required to track and record attendance in both Moodle and Self-Service for all students in their courses, including excused absences.
Attendance, as a requirement for class participation, will count for at least 20 percent of the final grade. Instructors may include other course work such as quizzes, in-class assessments, and homework completion, etc., in that 20 percent. Depending on the delivery format of the 15-week, regular course, each unexcused absence would result in a loss of at least 1/2, 1/4, or 1/6 of the maximum grade for class participation; please see Table I below. In hybrid courses this policy will apply to in-person meetings, as well as logging into, and active participation in the online component. A grade of 0 for class participation, which is worth a minimum of 20 percent of the final grade, will make it highly unlikely that the student will be able to pass the course based on grades on just the other assessments. A student would need an average grade of 80 percent or more on those other assessments.
If at any point a student has unexcused absences for 10 percent or more of the class meetings available-to date in a course, (e.g., 1 absence out of 10 class meetings to-date, or 2 out of 20, etc.), a Care Report will be issued explaining that absenteeism is putting the student in potential jeopardy of failing the course unless it is addressed.
If by Week 10, or any time between Week 10 and Week 14, a student has accumulated the number of unexcused absences that will result in a grade of 0 for class participation, and grades earned to date in other assessments, including grades of 0 for missing assessments, and the weight of remaining assessments, it is mathematically impossible for the student to pass, that student will immediately be issued a final grade of WF for the course. The student will not be permitted to attend any remaining classes, to submit any missing work, or complete any remaining work. If the student is in residence, and the student’s remaining active courses amount to a credit-load of less than 12 credits, the student will also be barred from the residence halls.
Consequences of Unexcused Absences
Course Delivery Format: 15-week, 1 Class Meeting/Week or Hybrid courses, 1 In-person Class/Week
Number of Unexcused Absences that Would Result in a Grade of 0 for Class Participation: 2
Number of Unexcused Absences Requiring Special Care Report for Immediate Attention and Intervention: 1
Course Delivery Format: 15-week, 2 Class Meetings/Week or Hybrid courses, 2 In-person Classes/Week
Number of Unexcused Absences that Would Result in a Grade of 0 for Class Participation: 4
Number of Unexcused Absences Requiring Special Care Report for Immediate Attention and Intervention: 2, then 3
Course Delivery Format: 15-week, 3 Class Meetings/Week
Number of Unexcused Absences that Would Result in a Grade of 0 for Class Participation: 6
Number of Unexcused Absences Requiring Special Care Report for Immediate Attention and Intervention: 3, then 4, and then 5
Course Delivery Format: 7-week, 1 Class Meeting/Week
Number of Unexcused Absences that Would Result in a Grade of 0 for Class Participation: 2
Number of Unexcused Absences Requiring Special Care Report for Immediate Attention and Intervention: 1