Class Attendance

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor expects regular and punctual attendance in class. Punctuality is deemed to be as important as attendance since tardiness is disruptive and distracting to both faculty and fellow students and is undesirable for personal and professional activities. Students coming to class late assume responsibility for checking with the instructor to make sure they were marked tardy instead of absent. Because attendance is expected, students are responsible for all course work and assignments.

Types of Absence

University Excused Absence: An absence due to participation in certain University-related activities may be designated as a University Excused Absence. If an absence is designated as a University Excused Absence, faculty will provide reasonable opportunity for students to make up work that is missed. If it is not feasible for the student to make up work, some allowance may be made in order that the student will not be overly penalized.  The student must inform the instructor regarding a University Excused Absence in advance of that absence. This will allow a reasonable opportunity for the student to make up missed work. Depending on the policies of a course’s academic college, department or program, University Excused Absences may count toward the total number of absences allowed in a course.

Excused Absences: Students who miss class due to illness, death of a family member, or other unavoidable circumstances will be granted an excused absence. In that event, faculty will provide reasonable opportunity for student to make up work that is missed. If it is not feasible for the student to make up work, some allowance may be made in order that the student will not be overly penalized.  The student must inform the instructor as soon as possible of such absences.  In all cases, the instructor may request a medical excuse from the student from a health professional or other appropriate person.  It shall be up to the discretion of the faculty member to determine whether the circumstances that caused the absence warrant granting an excused absence.  The instructor may request verifying information.  It is the student’s responsibility to check with the instructor upon their return to class as to whether a particular absence will be considered excused.

Unexcused Absences: Absences for reasons other than University Excused Absences or Excused Absences are Unexcused Absences.  Students who miss class due to an unexcused absence may only make up work at the discretion of the individual instructor, as stated in the course syllabus.

In those instances where absence policies limit the number of absences allowed in a class, faculty may count all absences—University Excused Absences, Excused Absences, and Unexcused Absences—toward the total.  All absences are counted from the first class session of the term.

While colleges or departments have developed policies that are used by all faculty in the respective college or department, students are expected to be aware of and abide by the attendance policy that pertains to each class, as indicated in the course syllabus.