Attendance Policy
Attendance Requirement:
At the beginning of each course, the instructor will state the class attendance requirement. In the case of a practicum or field work in which the student has service or patient-care responsibilities, an unexcused absence may be cause for failure in the course and dismissal from the program.
If a student receiving Title IV funding withdraws, is dismissed, or takes a leave of absence, the last day of attendance (required for federal refund calculations) will be that which is noted on the withdrawal, dismissal, or leave of absence form. If a student receiving Title IV funding ceases to attend class (without completing the appropriate form), the final date of attendance used for calculating aid to be refunded will be when the Financial Aid Office is made aware of the absence.
Absence from Classes or Exams:
Students must notify their instructor(s) in writing prior to any scheduled class or written, oral, practical or online exam if they are unable to attend. This written request must substantiate and document a valid reason for missing the class or exam. Examples include but are not limited to scheduled medical procedures, religious holidays (see “Absence due to Religious Beliefs” statement below), or bereavement.
Unforeseen events or circumstances, including illness, accident, catastrophic event such as fire, and bereavement (see bereavement language below), may cause a student to be absent from a class or exam without prior notification. If such events occur, students should notify their instructor(s) within 48 hours of the event to apprise them of the circumstances leading to their absence. Students will work with their instructors to develop a plan, with a timetable, to make up the missed class or exam. Students may be asked to provide documentation that the class or exam absence was warranted. Note: Extreme emergencies that make it impossible for the student to make contact will be handled on a case by case basis.
Failure to notify the instructor to arrange make-up class work or exam could impact course grade or exam results. Any impact on the course or exam grade would be determined by each individual program.
Absence due to Religious Beliefs:
According to the General Laws of Massachusetts, Part I, Title XXI, Section 151C, Section 2B: Any student in an educational or vocational training institution, other than a religious or denominational educational or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of his religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement which he may have missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of their availing themselves of the provisions of this section.
Absence due to Jury Duty: Students who are summoned for jury duty must notify their instructor(s) in writing as soon as they receive the summons. The notification should include the dates of the jury duty service and a copy of the summons. Instructors will work with the student to provide opportunities to make up missed work, which may include alternative assignments or extensions on due dates. If the jury duty service will significantly impact the student’s ability to complete the course, the student may discuss options with the instructor and academic program leaders, including the possibility of a leave of absence.
Absence of student due to Military Reserve or National Guard service: The MGH Institute of Health Professions values the service to community and country that students serving in the Reserves and National Guard provide. It is understood that these students may have required military training throughout the year. Because of the intensive nature of the course load and curriculum, Students must coordinate with their School/Program for appropriate accommodations to be arranged.
Absences that occur due to attending scheduled Annual Training (AT), Inactive Duty Training (IDT), State Active Duty (SAD), or unscheduled orders (ADOS, Title 10, Tittle 32) will qualify as “excused absences” which means that the absence, with proper prior arrangement, is not subject to penalty and completion of coursework may be satisfied through agreement between the instructor and the student.
It is up to the student to disclose their Yearly Training Calendar (YTD) to their Faculty at the start of the semester in order to make necessary arrangements for these training dates. Students should also provide their Chain of Command (CoC) their semester class schedule to deconflict any conflicts.
Absence due to Student Bereavement:
Student Bereavement is an excused absence from Institute-related coursework and responsibilities (including clinical education and other academic activities on and off campus) granted when a death occurs in a student’s immediate family or similar close relationship. To initiate bereavement, students who experience such loss are to notify the Chair or Program Director of their academic program, their instructors, and their faculty advisor in writing (email) in advance of the absence.
Bereavement shall excuse a student for three (3) school days. If additional days are required due to travel or extenuating circumstances, students may request up to three (3) additional days by contacting the Chair/Director (who will communicate with relevant faculty/staff and the student to confirm the request). Honoring student privacy, the Chair/Director or designee will share information with faculty/staff on a need-to-know basis only.
Instructors will provide opportunities for bereaved students to earn equivalent credit for missed work, which may include, at the instructor’s discretion, alternative assignments. Students will have a make-up period of five (5) school days for all coursework and related responsibilities, starting on their first day returning to school. Students are encouraged to communicate with all of their instructors immediately upon return to school. Upon request from the Chair/Director or instructor(s), students must submit written documentation to the Chair/Director within their first week back at school. Examples of appropriate documentation include but are not limited to an obituary, funeral program, and a note from a relative.
Related Resources for Students Who Experience Loss:
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The Student Assistance Program (SAP hyperlink), a confidential counseling service open to all IHP students and their families, offers various supports related to grief. Students can meet with SAP counselors on campus in Building 39 or at any Partners EAP location.
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If a student determines that, following the loss of a loved one, an extended leave may be valuable, they are encouraged to meet with faculty advisor and consider the IHP’s leave of absence policy.
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Any student who believes that these bereavement procedures are not being implemented fairly should submit an IHP Student Incident Report.
7/29/19
7/16/24