POLICY ON CLASS ATTENDANCE
(Proposal 20-95)
(Proposal 24-13)
(Proposal 6-14)
(Proposal 19-15)
(Proposal 35-16)
(Proposal 64-20)
(Proposal 2-25)
Senate Policy 102.1
Attending class is essential for academic success. The University expects students to attend all scheduled class times unless an absence is excused under this policy. An excused absence is one in which a student is absent due to an off-campus event (see below) or involves a legitimate extenuating circumstance (with documentation) which causes the student to miss class for three or more days, or miss a major assignment and/or examination.
Students should contact the Dean of Students Office for excused absences of 3 or more consecutive days or or if their absence resulted in missing a major assignment or examination.
Students do not need to contact the Dean of Students Office for excused absences involving fewer than 3 consecutive days. Students are expected to notify their instructors of any absences as soon as possible.
Excused absences will be considered within 30 days of the requested dates (with proper documentation). Excused absences will not be granted after 30 days of the requested dates and/or the conclusion of the semester.
Instructors have the discretion to excuse student absences for reasons other than described in this attendance policy.
Categories of University Excused Absences:
- Off-campus events:
- Including intercollegiate athletics; fine arts performances; academic program-sponsored competitions; academic program-sponsored field trips; and similar official events where students represent the University in an official capacity.
- The instructor or staff supervising students participating in these events must provide
notice to the students’ instructors and the Dean of Students Office prior to the date
of the activity. The notice must include the name of
the activity, the date(s) of class absence, the name of the supervising instructor or staff, and the names of all participating students.
- Absences involving legitimate extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s
control:- These include student illness or injury that prevents a student from participating
in class. Other examples are the death or critical illness of a family member; wedding
of an immediate family member or member of the
wedding party, birth of a child; military duty; jury duty or subpoena for court appearances; and similar extenuating circumstances.
- These include student illness or injury that prevents a student from participating
in class. Other examples are the death or critical illness of a family member; wedding
of an immediate family member or member of the
Documentation Requirements:
Documentation will be required for all absences of three or more consecutive days or when the student missed a major assignment, and/or an examination.
Students participating in activities on behalf of a student organization may obtain
a verified absence letter from the
Student Leadership and Involvement Office. This letter is meant to confirm a student’s
participation in an extracurricular activity and may be presented to the instructor
when requesting an absence from class.
Students are responsible for notifying their instructors prior to missing a class and arranging a mutually-acceptable make-up procedure. In emergency situations, where students are unable to notify their instructors, students should promptly contact the Dean of Students Office for assistance.
Students with an excused absence shall be allowed to earn full credit for missing
assignments by performing equivalent work, as long as the instructor deems that the
learning objectives of the course can still be met. Where this is in question, it
should be determined in conversation between the student and the instructor, if necessary
in consultation with the Dean of Students. This conversation should happen as soon
as possible. The substance of the equivalent work and the deadline for its completion
shall be determined by the instructor. Instructors concerned with a student’s excessive
absence should contact the Dean of Students Office for advice and assistance.
The Dean of Students Office may be contacted by an instructor or a student for assistance in informally resolving any disputes under this policy. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, the student may follow the Student Academic Grievance policy.
This change should also be made in Section 3.2.10 of the Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty
Handbook
https://www.admin.mtu.edu/admin/prov/facbook/ch3/3chap-21.htm)
Proposal 20-95:
Adopted by Senate: March 8, 1995
Approved by President: March 24, 1995
Became Senate Policy 102.1
Proposal 24-13:
Introduced to Senate: 27 March 2013
Friendly Amendment (in blue): 10 April 2013
Approved by Senate: 10 April 2013
Approved by Administration: 19 April 2013
Proposal 6-14:
Introduced to Senate: 20 November 2013
Approved by Senate: 11 December 2013
Approved by Administration: 17 December 2013
Proposal 19-15:
Introduced to Senate: 10 December 2014
Friendly Amendment :21 January 2015
Approved by Senate with Amendment: 21 January 2015
Approved by Administration: 30 January 2015
Proposal 64-20:
Introduced to Senate: 3 June 2020
Approved by Senate: 17 June 2020
Approved by Administration: 22 June 2020
Proposal 2-25
Introduced to Senate: 10 October 2024
Approved by Senate: 24 October 2024
Approved by Administration: 31 October 2024