2025-2026 Catalog > Academic Affairs > Attendance at Classes

Attendance at Classes

A student who pre-registers for a course has the obligation to appear at the first meeting of that course. In the case of absence, the student must notify the instructor within two working days of the first class meeting of his/her intention to continue in the class. Otherwise, an instructor is not obligated to keep that student on the class list and may assign his/her place to another student who wants to register for the course.

Regular attendance at classes and other scheduled academic appointments is expected of all students. Students should consult with their instructors about all class absences.

It is the responsibility of the student to:

• Notify the instructor immediately about class absences
• Discuss any missed class time, tests, or assignments

It is the responsibility of the instructor to:

• Clearly communicate their attendance expectations in writing at the beginning of the semester, typically through the course syllabus, including the likely consequences of any class absence

• What would need to be done to make up any work missed
• Inform the student and their class dean if they are in danger of failing or receiving an unsatisfactory grade (D+ or below) in the course because of the amount of work or class time to be missed and if the student should withdraw from the course

Extended absences

A student may not be away from campus for more than two weeks (14 days) while classes are in session. If a student is away from campus for more than a week while classes are in session, the student needs to notify their class dean. As a residential campus, it is important for students to understand that they may not request remote instruction during the fall and spring semesters. Excessive absence may result in failure in the course. No instructor is expected to give extra help or to grant extensions to a student who has missed classes voluntarily.

Instructors are requested to notify a student’s class dean in any case of extended or repeated absences (student does not attend one week of a class that meets multiple times a week or two weeks of class that meets once a week). This notification process will enable the class dean to verify the absences with the student, their wellbeing and location, offer support, and make any necessary communications about resources, and potential leaves of absence.