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Class Absence Policy
2007-2008
Monmouth College expects students to
attend all classes. However, we recognize that
there will be times when students do miss class. Each faculty member
retains the right to determine attendance policy pertaining to excused
absences and unexcused absences in his/her classes, and to establish the
consequences of missed classes and materials. In all cases, it is the
student’s responsibility to complete the assigned work for scheduled class
or the make-up work assigned for missed classes.
Monmouth College recognizes three types
of missed classes – Approved Absences, Excused Absences, and Unexcused
Absences.
The policies and procedures for each of
these types are described below:
1. Approved Absences
Defined:
Scheduled, college-approved events that require students to miss
class. Examples include: musical performances, academic conferences, class
field trips, athletic competitions, and class-required attendance at
special campus events.
Required attendance at a scheduled event
sponsored by Monmouth College organizations recognized by the faculty will
be considered approved if they have the endorsement of the organization's
faculty advisor. Athletic competitions and class related trips or events
are also considered approved absences (in no case should students miss
class to attend athletic practice). The coach or sponsoring faculty
advisor should notify the faculty of the anticipated missed classes in a
timely fashion (usually no less than forty-eight hours prior to the
scheduled departure or absence). Such notification will include the list
of all participants who will be missing class. In cases where travel is
required, students must attend all classes which do not conflict with the
latest possible departure time.
Policy:
For approved absences, students are expected to personally inform the
instructor in advance of the planned absence. This notice should be given
no later than the last class before the anticipated absence. Instructors
will make reasonable accommodations to minimize the disruption to the
student’s educational experience. Instructors may require scheduled
assignments, papers, quizzes and exams to be completed before the missed
class. When students miss unique in-class learning experiences, faculty
members may require appropriate substitute assignments. If a student fails
to notify faculty in advance of approved absences, the faculty member may
consider the absence unexcused. Faculty members will work with students to
allow them to complete appropriate make-up work, but students bear the
ultimate responsibility for all missed class material.
Instructors will not place restrictions
on approved absences. If an instructor has concerns about an approved
absence, the instructor should resolve the concern with the faculty
member, coach or dean that endorsed the approved absence. If the concern
cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties, then the matter
should be brought before the Vice President of Academic Affairs for
discussion and review.
2. Excused Absences
Defined:
Unexpected events that result in missed classes and individual faculty
members determine that make up work is appropriate. Examples may
include: significant illness or injury, death in the immediate family,
doctor’s appointments and severe weather conditions.
Policy:
When unexpected events cause students to miss class, individual faculty
may decide to allow students to either make-up the missed material or
assign appropriate substitute material by recognizing the absence as an
“excused” absence. In some cases, the faculty member may ask for
verification of the event (doctor’s appointment, injury, death, etc). In
such cases, the Dean of Students office or the Associate Dean may provide
verification of the event. Individual faculty members may set their own
standards for what constitutes an excused absence. If a student believes
he or she is being treated unfairly regarding the denial of an excused
absence, he or she may appeal the matter to the Vice President of Academic
Affairs.
Students who are unexpectedly absent from
class should contact the faculty member as soon as is reasonably
possible. This contact may include voice mail messages and email
messages. When appropriate, students may inform the Dean of Students
Office or Associate Dean of an unexpected extended absence and the notice
will be forwarded to affected faculty members. In all cases, the student
should contact the faculty member upon the student's return to campus. In
all cases, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with the
faculty member or an appropriate administrator. For excused absences,
faculty will work with the student and perhaps the Dean of Students office
or Associate Dean to insure that the student fulfills academic
requirements. Faculty will have broad latitude to craft appropriate
substitute make-up work. In some cases of extended absences, a course
grade of Incomplete will be appropriate. Students bear the ultimate
responsibility for all missed class material.
3. Unexcused Absences
Defined:
Absences which are not “approved” or “excused” shall be considered
unexcused.
Policy:
Faculty members are under no obligation to allow students to complete work
missed from unexcused absences. Faculty may have attendance policies that
result in penalties that harm course grades.
If a student believes that a faculty
member’s absence policy is unfair, the student should discuss this issue
with the faculty member. If, after discussing the matter with the faculty
member, the student believes the policy is unfair, the student may bring
the matter to the attention of the Associate Dean of the faculty for
appropriate action.
Students who abuse the approved and
excused absences policy will be considered to have committed academic
misconduct. Examples of abuse include falsifying an illness or family
emergency, falsely claiming that attendance at the event is required,
falsely claiming to have attended an event, or falsely claiming that an
absence is College approved. If an instructor determines that a student is
guilty of an abuse, the instructor should treat it as they would any other
instance of academic misconduct (including a report to the Academic Dean).
Last Updated:
July 18, 2007 |
