Attendance and Religious Holidays
Class attendance is required for those students taking developmental coursework (classes numbered 0398 and 0399), students enrolled in freshman-level courses, international students, students receiving veteran's education benefits, and students receiving federal Title IV financial aid. In addition, some disciplines and many instructors have class attendance requirements. Students should consult with the individual instructors concerning class attendance requirements for the course.
The University may void the registration of a student who has not attended any classes or attended two or fewer days of classes on or before the 20th class day. Faculty shall report to the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Services or other designated University officials any student who is not attending classes as required above. The Office of Student Services shall seek to contact the student through their official campus contact information and permanent address information in the Registrar's records. If the student cannot be contacted or has only attended two or fewer days of classes on or before the 20th class day, the University may void the student's registration. After receiving written notification from the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Services or other designated official to void a student's registration, the Registrar will send a registered letter notifying the student of the University's action and appeals process under the Handbook of Operation Procedures, part five, section 2. If a registration is voided, tuition and fees will be refunded minus the matriculation fee and other non-refundable fees. Students should also be aware that the voiding of their registration may leave them with a financial liability to the University or Financial Aid Provider for financial aid paid to them for expenses other than tuition and fees. The Office of Financial Aid will send a student, whose registration, is voided a notification of obligations owed.
Students should consult with individual instructors concerning class attendance requirements. Policies of the faculty may vary since graduate classes are generally smaller and more interactive, attendance and participation may be major factors in evaluation of performance.
The University shall allow a student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence if, not later than the 15th class day after the first day of the semester, the student notifies the instructor of each class the student has scheduled on that religious date that the student would be absent for a religious holy day. The notification referred to above shall be in writing and the student shall deliver it personally to the instructor of each class, with receipt of the notification acknowledged and dated by the instructor or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the instructor of each class. Although a student who is excused under this policy may not be penalized for the absence, the instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination.
Students must be excused from scheduled classes or other required activities if the student is called to and participates in active military service for a reasonable brief period. The student will be allowed to complete an assignment or exam within a reasonable time after the absence. Students may be excused from attendance for reasonable personal and activity events, but cannot be excused from graduate-level performance in the course. If the student is aware of conflicting events, it may be better to enroll at a later date rather than jeopardize performance.