Additional Faculty Compensation - UMass Amherst Provost's Office

Religious Observances
An instructor must excuse any student who is unable to attend classes or participate in a class-related activity or examination because of religious observance.

Students must inform their course instructors, in writing, of the days on which they will be absent for religious reasons, and should do so as early in the semester as possible and always prior to the day(s) they will be absent. Instructors have the right to require students to provide a written list of such days within one full calendar week of a student’s enrollment in the course, provided that the requirement and deadline are stated in the course outline or other handouts.

In the event of a dispute between an instructor and a student in any course, either party should contact the department head or the Ombuds Office. A calendar of major holidays is published in the Guide to Undergraduate Programs and the faculty and staff telephone directory.

Athletic Events:
Required participation in athletic events that conflict with scheduled classes can be verified by the Athletic Department (545-4379). Students should inform instructors as soon as possible of an event for which they will be absent from class.

Field Trips, Performances:
Field trips and performances can be verified by the department requiring a student to participate. Other scheduled activities for students are usually verified by the office or department scheduling the activity. Students should inform instructors of pending absences as soon as they are aware of the schedule conflict.

Health Reasons:
Instructors may verify that a student has been seen by University Health Services on a particular day by calling a voice mail service. Instructors may leave the student’s name and I.D. number and the date that the student was absent from class, and will receive verification by phone. To reach this service, dial UHS at 577-5114.

For students who are treated off-campus, instructors may require written verification, within the limits of the health care provider’s policy, from the attending physician. Where possible, students should notify faculty in advance if they will miss a class because of illness, injury or medical treatment. Students should be made aware that they can leave a message at a department office or on an instructor’s voice mail to explain an absence the day it occurs, if possible.

Family Illness:
In recent years, the number of students who are caring for dependent family members at home has markedly increased. On occasion, single parents must stay home to care for sick children; students may miss class due to the medical needs of brothers, sisters, older parents, etc. Instructors are encouraged to allow students in these kinds of situations fair and adequate opportunity to make up any missed academic work. Students who have family obligations that may cause them to miss class are urged to inform their professors at the beginning of the semester, or as soon as the likelihood of such an absence becomes known.

Other Extenuating Non-Academic Reasons:
This category includes other valid excuses for missing class, including family illness or death, personal problems or unforeseen circumstances (e.g., automobile accident). While the policy states that instructors have the right to require written verification of students’ absences for such reasons, this is difficult to achieve in many circumstances. We offer several suggestions to cover a number of potential excuses.

For court appearances, jury duty, or other activity related to the legal system, a copy of the appropriate legal document should be provided. If an absence is attributed to the death of a person close to the student, an instructor can request a copy of the obituary or death notice, and some evidence of the student’s relationship to the deceased. (Instructors should be aware, however, that in a situation of genuine grief and loss, this request is usually perceived as quite callous, or even outrageous, though this is not the instructor’s intent.)

Many extenuating non-academic reasons for absence are not documentable, and instructors have to use their best judgment in evaluating student absences.

When students or family members notify the Dean of Students Office of extended absences, the Dean of Students Office will notify instructors. If instructors have concerns about a particular case and need advice on how to handle it, they may telephone the Dean of Students Office (545-6284) or the Provost’s Office (545-2554) for advice.

		Policy on Class Absences
		Provost's Office > Administrative Info: Policies > Class Absences The Office of the Provost and the Dean of Students Office regularly receive inquiries concerning University policy on student absence from classes. The campus’s policy on attendance is described at some length in Academic Regulations; it applies to classes and examinations. The purposes of this memorandum are to summarize the policies governing excused absences, and to recommend some simple procedures for faculty to verify the reason for a student’s absence. Department heads/chairs and faculty should pass this information on to all graduate teaching assistants. Three basic rules apply to all excused absences, whether excused because of a University policy or at the instructor’s discretion. (1) Students must still meet all class requirements. (2) Instructors must offer reasonable assistance in making up missed work (e.g., making arrangements for attendance at labs or discussion sessions which meet at other times; providing makeup exams or labs where feasible). (3) Instructors may not require students to take a make-up exam in a format substantially different from that of the original exam. Religious Observances An instructor must excuse any student who is unable to attend classes or participate in a class-related activity or examination because of religious observance. Students must inform their course instructors, in writing, of the days on which they will be absent for religious reasons, and should do so as early in the semester as possible and always prior to the day(s) they will be absent. Instructors have the right to require students to provide a written list of such days within one full calendar week of a student’s enrollment in the course, provided that the requirement and deadline are stated in the course outline or other handouts. In the event of a dispute between an instructor and a student in any course, either party should contact the department head or the Ombuds Office. A calendar of major holidays is published in the Guide to Undergraduate Programs and the faculty and staff telephone directory. Athletic Events: Required participation in athletic events that conflict with scheduled classes can be verified by the Athletic Department (545-4379). Students should inform instructors as soon as possible of an event for which they will be absent from class. Field Trips, Performances: Field trips and performances can be verified by the department requiring a student to participate. Other scheduled activities for students are usually verified by the office or department scheduling the activity. Students should inform instructors of pending absences as soon as they are aware of the schedule conflict. Health Reasons: Instructors may verify that a student has been seen by University Health Services on a particular day by calling a voice mail service. Instructors may leave the student’s name and I.D. number and the date that the student was absent from class, and will receive verification by phone. To reach this service, dial UHS at 577-5114. For students who are treated off-campus, instructors may require written verification, within the limits of the health care provider’s policy, from the attending physician. Where possible, students should notify faculty in advance if they will miss a class because of illness, injury or medical treatment. Students should be made aware that they can leave a message at a department office or on an instructor’s voice mail to explain an absence the day it occurs, if possible. Family Illness: In recent years, the number of students who are caring for dependent family members at home has markedly increased. On occasion, single parents must stay home to care for sick children; students may miss class due to the medical needs of brothers, sisters, older parents, etc. Instructors are encouraged to allow students in these kinds of situations fair and adequate opportunity to make up any missed academic work. Students who have family obligations that may cause them to miss class are urged to inform their professors at the beginning of the semester, or as soon as the likelihood of such an absence becomes known. Other Extenuating Non-Academic Reasons: This category includes other valid excuses for missing class, including family illness or death, personal problems or unforeseen circumstances (e.g., automobile accident). While the policy states that instructors have the right to require written verification of students’ absences for such reasons, this is difficult to achieve in many circumstances. We offer several suggestions to cover a number of potential excuses. For court appearances, jury duty, or other activity related to the legal system, a copy of the appropriate legal document should be provided. If an absence is attributed to the death of a person close to the student, an instructor can request a copy of the obituary or death notice, and some evidence of the student’s relationship to the deceased. (Instructors should be aware, however, that in a situation of genuine grief and loss, this request is usually perceived as quite callous, or even outrageous, though this is not the instructor’s intent.) Many extenuating non-academic reasons for absence are not documentable, and instructors have to use their best judgment in evaluating student absences. When students or family members notify the Dean of Students Office of extended absences, the Dean of Students Office will notify instructors. If instructors have concerns about a particular case and need advice on how to handle it, they may telephone the Dean of Students Office (545-6284) or the Provost’s Office (545-2554) for advice.
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