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College of Liberal Arts

Class Attendance

Unresolved problems may be referred to the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, 208 Samford Hall.

  1. 10.1. Effective Fall 2001, registered students who do not attend the first class period (lecture, lab, studio, or other class format) may be dropped from the class.  To avoid being dropped, students must provide the department with a valid University-approved excused documenting the reason for the absence.  If possible, the student should notify the department prior to the first class period.
  2. 10.2. Students are expected to attend all their scheduled University classes.  College work proceeds at such a pace that regular class attendance is necessary to receive proper instruction.  Specific policies regarding class attendance are the prerogative of individual faculty; policies regarding the effect of absences on the determination of grades should be stated in writing at the beginning of the course.
  3. 10.3. The student shall be expected to carry out all assigned work and to take examinations at the class period designated by the instructor.  Failure to carry out these assignments or to take examinations at the designated times may result in an appropriate reduction of grade, except as provided in paragraph 4 below.
  4. 10.4. Instructors shall determine the policy regarding grading that they feel is best for the course.  This policy shall be presented to the class, in writing, at the beginning of the term and will govern the actions of the instructor in the course.
  5. 10.5. Arrangements to make up missed major examinations (e.g. hour exams, mid-term exams) due to properly authorized absences (as defined by the Tiger Cub) shall be initiated by the student within one week from the end of the period of the excused absence.  Normally, a make-up exam shall occur within two weeks from the time that the student initiates arrangements for it.  Instructors are encouraged to refrain from giving make-up examinations during the last three days prior to the first day of final major examinations.  The format of make-up exams and opportunities for students to make up work other than major examinations are at the discretion of the instructor whose make-up policies should be stated in writing at the beginning of the term.  Instructors will be expected to excuse absences for:
    1. a. Illness of the student or serious illness of a member of the student’s immediate family.  The instructor shall have the right to request appropriate verification.
    2. b. The death of a member of the student’s immediate family.  The instructor shall have the right to request appropriate verification.
    3. c. Trips for members of the student organizations sponsored by an academic unit, trips for University classes, and trip for participation in intercollegiate athletic events.1  When feasible, the student must notify the instructor prior to the occurrence of such absences, but in no case shall such notification occur more than one week after the absence.  Instructors may request forma notification from appropriate University personnel to document the student’s participation in such trips.
    4. d. Religious holidays.  Students are responsible for notifying the instructor in writing of anticipated absences due to their observance of such holidays.
    5. e. Subpoena for court appearance.
    6. f. Any other reason the instructor deems appropriate.
  6. 10.6. The regularly accepted time for class to begin shall be on the hour of half hour.  If the instructor does not appear within 10 minutes after the designated class hour, it may be assumed that the class is cancelled.  All classes shall be dismissed promptly.
  7. 10.7. It is University Policy that all classes will meet as scheduled on the last day before and first day after holiday periods designated by the University.
  8. 10.8. Unresolved problems regarding class attendance and/or procedures should be referred to the University Student Grievance Committee.

1 Field trips will be authorized by the department and dean of the school in which the course is taught.  The instructor will issue an official excuse to each student participating in the field trip.  Any student may decline participating in a given field trip and receive an appropriate compensating assignment if, following consultation with his or her instructor, it appears that the field trip would adversely affect his or her other academic work.

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Last updated September 19, 2007