Students are expected to attend class as much as possible. When absences occur, students are expected to communicate quickly and directly with the instructor. Students are responsible for making up work and working with peers to access any missed material.

If a student needs to miss a class, one week of absences (accumulated) can be accrued without penalty in each course with no documentation required. Students are not required to submit any forms for these absences. These should cover illness, personal days, mental health days, etc.

A second week may be excused for extenuating circumstances. These include illness, quarantine, or other emergencies (such as a death in the family or serious injury). Documentation may be required to consider the request. Students are highly encouraged to stay home if they have flu-like or COVID symptoms and mask upon return for 5-10 days.

For a second week of absences to be considered for excusal, students will fill out the Extenuating Circumstances Absence form. Documentation may be required to consider the request. The request will be considered by the Director and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the end of each semester. This form is due by 8:00am on the last day of classes each semester (one day prior to "Reading Day").

Beyond the one week of absences and any additional approved extenuating circumstances requests, 1/3 of a letter grade will be subtracted from the final grade FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ABSENCE. For example, for a class that meets three times a week, three absences will not affect the final grade. If, by the end of the semester the student has earned an A- and has four absences with no extenuating circumstances, the final grade will be dropped by 1/3 to a B+.

In rare cases of absences for professional opportunities or other serious extenuating circumstances, students in good standing may request additional excused absences. Such requests must be submitted in writing to the Director by 8:00am on the last day of classes each semester (one day prior to “Reading Day”) and approved by faculty vote. There is no guarantee such requests will be approved.

The University follows CDC guidelines and protocols regarding contagious illnesses. We are mask friendly.

*A complete list of courses that are bound to this attendance policy is available here.