Credit Hour Attendance Policies
Attendance Policy
Regular and punctual attendance in class is required. Each student is responsible for knowing and adhering to the instructor’s attendance policy for each course taken. Specific attendance requirements for each course will be included in the course syllabus provided by the instructor.
Distance Learning Attendance Policy
For any student enrolled in a distance learning course, participation in the course according to the schedule of events described by the instructor is considered in attendance. A student who does not access the class web site during the first week of class, does not take examinations by established due dates, or does not otherwise participate in the distance learning process as outlined by the instructor is subject to withdrawal according to the attendance policies outlined below.
Excessive Absences
A student may miss one class meeting beyond the number of times the class meets per week before being considered excessively absent. For example, if a student is enrolled in a class that meets three times per week, the student may miss four class meetings. If the student misses a fifth class meeting, the student may be considered excessively absent. This policy will be followed for 16-week classes in a fall or spring semester and 12-week classes in the summer. These allowable absences should provide for student illness as well as permit the student to take care of emergencies and personal business.
Absences during an eight-week session or a six-week summer session will be considered excessive if the student misses more than three day classes or more than two evening classes.
A student registering late in any course will be counted absent for those class meetings missed before the registration.
Students who do not attend during the first week of class will be withdrawn. See the No-Show Procedure for the First Week of Classes.
In certain specialized programs, such as the health-related programs, licensure, certification, or accreditation requirements mandate fewer absences than the College normally permits. A student enrolled in a program with more stringent attendance requirements is informed of those requirements. If the specific program requirements are not met by the student, the student will not be withdrawn from non-program specific courses but may be withdrawn from the program and program specific courses.
No-Show Procedures for First Week of Classes
Attendance during the first week of classes is required. A student who does not attend the first week of class will be withdrawn with a grade of W on the permanent record. A student who is withdrawn for not attending the first week of class may discuss reinstatement with the instructor. If the instructor does not support the reinstatement, the student may petition the Student Academic Appeals Committee for reinstatement. A student who has registered for a distance learning course is required to access the web site for the course during the first week. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal.
Tardy Policy
A student not present at the beginning of any class meeting is considered tardy. When so specified in departmental policies, program policies, or the instructor’s syllabus, habitual or excessive tardiness may be converted to absences. Some instructors will not permit late entrance into a class as this disturbs the educational experience; the section syllabus will indicate the instructor’s policy on late entry.