(A)       Purpose. Regular attendance in class is expected of all students at all levels at the university. While classes are conducted on the premise that regular attendance is expected, the university recognizes certain activities and events as legitimate reasons for absence from class

(B)       Class attendance. The individual instructor has both the responsibility and the prerogative for managing student attendance. The instructor's policy regarding attendance for each course should be written in course syllabus and communicated to students during the first week of the term. The policy may take alternate forms within the bounds of appropriate instructional techniques.

(C)       Class absence. Legitimate reasons for absence include, for example, illness, death in the immediate family, religious observance, academic field trips, and participation in an approved concert or athletic event, and direct participation in university disciplinary hearings. Even though any absence can potentially interfere with the planned development of a course, and the student bears the responsibility for fulfilling all course expectations in a timely and responsible manner, instructors will, without prejudice, provide students returning to class after a legitimate absence with appropriate assistance and counsel about completing missed assignments and class material. The following guidelines describe model procedures for sponsors of appropriate activities, instructors and students.

(D)       Procedures and responsibilities.

(1)       Sponsors shall:

(a)       Provide a list to each participant of all approved events which might involve student absences from classes. The list should be given to the participants at or before the first scheduled class, activity, or field trip of the semester, or before the end of the second week of the semester, whichever occurs first. In cases where the date and time of the scheduled activity is not known within this time frame, approval to schedule an event which will result in student absences must be secured from the administrative officer directly above the sponsoring unit; e.g., college dean, director of athletics, etc.

(b)       Provide each participating student with a signed "Class Absence Authorization Form" for each of the student's affected classes at the time the list of events is distributed.

(c)        Seek resolution of conflicts with instructors; such resolution is a faculty responsibility, not a student responsibility.

(2)       Instructors shall:

(a)       Inform the student about assignments to be made during the absence, and make alternative suggestions for acquisition of the material missed.

(b)       Provide a reasonable opportunity for a makeup examination if a legitimate absence occurs on an examination day. In the extraordinary circumstance where it is not feasible to offer a makeup examination, some acceptable alternative must be provided.

(c)        Resolve conflicts arising from a legitimate absence as provided in this rule through appropriate administrative channels. Under no circumstances are students responsible for the resolution of such conflicts.

(3)       Students shall:

(a)       Provide the sponsor of the activity with a list of classes which conflict with the proposed activity or field trip. This list should be presented at or before the first scheduled class or activity meeting that causes the conflict.

(b)       Present a "Class Absence Authorization Form" to instructors in all affected courses and return the signed "Class Absence Authorization Form(s)" to the sponsor of the activity before the end of the second week of the semester. In the event the absence was due to illness or injury, verification from the health center or other medical officer should be presented to the instructor.

(c)        Be responsible for all material covered in class during their absence. Students are responsible for completing any makeup work resulting from their absence. In no case is an excuse from class to be interpreted as a release from class responsibility.

Effective: June 1, 2007

Prior Effective Dates: Prior to November 4, 1977, September 13, 1979,

October 26, 1979, February 14, 1983, January 30, 1985, July 10, 1985,

September 7, 1988, January 29, 1992, September 19, 2005