Note to faculty and students: Discuss absences
from class

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

aced with a steady stream of students seeking notes explaining why they've missed classes, the Dean of Students Office is appealing to faculty and undergraduates to review the campus's policy regarding class absences.

     "Referrals to our office aren't appropriate," says Jo-Anne Vanin, dean of students and associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life. "It's not the way the policy should work. Students should talk directly to their instructors."

     The campus's policy on attendance, as described in Undergraduate Rights & Responsibilities (pages 59-61 of the 2001-2002 edition), applies to classes and examinations.

     Three basic rules apply to all excused absences, whether excused because of a University policy or at the instructor's discretion:
--Students must still meet all class requirements.

     --Instructors must offer reasonable assistance in making up missed work (for example, making arrangements for attendance at labs or discussion sessions which meet at other times and providing makeup exams or labs where feasible)

     --Instructors may not require students to take a make-up exam in a format substantially different from that of the original exam.

     The bottom line, said Vanin, is that students need to communicate their problems directly to their instructors. Except in some unusual circumstances, such as a student who will miss at least a week of classes or is unable to contact faculty directly, the Dean of Students Office does not get involved in documenting absences. Accordingly, course syllabuses should not require a "note from the dean" to explain missed classes or exams.
There are, however, several mechanisms in place for faculty to verify excused absences related to illness, participation in field trips, sports or performances (see below).