Attendance
Students must attend all classes, laboratories, and fieldwork, and are expected to arrive on time. Because of the interactive and collaborative nature of professional education, especially in laboratory sessions and fieldwork, and the rigor of this academic program, class attendance is essential for successful learning. Faculty expect continuous participation to maintain the proper flow of course material. In addition, as a model of professional practice, consistent attendance and punctuality is considered part of one’s professional commitment.
Consistent attendance is considered one element of professional behavior, and chronic or unexcused absences or lateness will be addressed within that context with appropriate action taken by faculty when necessary. Students are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor if they are experiencing difficulty getting to class.
Religious Observances
The Department of Occupational Therapy strives to be mindful of major religious holidays. Program faculty have actively planned alternative options for timing of exams, competencies, and major assignments which could fall on major religious holidays. Should students wish to utilize these plans, they are encouraged to reach out to course faculty and notify them. Students are encouraged to reach out to the Fieldwork Office to utilize alternative plans set in place during religious observations.
Jury Duty
Attendance at jury duty is considered an excused absence. Students are expected to alert the Fieldwork Office and course faculty as soon as they are summoned. However, if students feel that this will cause an undue burden on their studies or fieldwork, they may request a letter of jury duty postponement from the Registrar’s Office: registrar@mghihp.edu
Notification of Absences
For all academic courses, students must notify all course faculty as far in advance as possible if they are unable to attend class. In cases of an unplanned absence, students must contact course faculty before the scheduled class-time. Messages can be left for faculty using voice mail, email, or in the program office at (617) 643-2764 or otdel@mghihp.edu. Messages should indicate the length of and reasons for the absence. Absences are only acceptable for reasons such as emergencies, religious observance, illness, jury duty, or attendance at a professional conference.
Students are responsible for all material covered on days that are missed for personal reasons.
Policies regarding absences from fieldwork placements can be found in IV.29. Attendance and Fieldwork Schedules.