Attendance Guidelines Policy

Policy Statement

University faculty value regular attendance in all classes, as explained in these guidelines.

Faculty are expected to publicize their attendance policy within their course syllabus, consistent with these guidelines.

Purpose/Scope

Good attendance policies value students’ time and acknowledge the importance of engagement and participation; this should motivate students to prioritize attendance and foster mutual respect and cooperation in the classroom.

Applicability

This policy applies to students and faculty.

Definitions

Excused absence — A missed in-person or synchronous class because of an approved situation.

Unexcused absence — A missed in-person or synchronous class that is not excused.

Policy Procedures

Instructors are responsible for distributing their individual course attendance guidelines in their syllabi no later than the first class each term. Recognizing that University students are adults responsible for their own schedule, instructors are encouraged to permit some number of unexcused absences. The attendance guidelines may include a reduction in the course grade or failure after a certain number of unexcused absences occur, which would typically be no more than 15% of the scheduled classes and laboratories.

Absences will be excused for:

• significant illness of the student, household member, or immediate family member, including hospitalization,
• official representation of the University,
• death of a close relative,
• religious holiday, and
• other circumstances beyond the control of the student and approved by the instructor.

The instructor has the right to require documentation of the circumstances leading to an excused absence but is expected to be respectful of the privacy rights of the student. Excuses for official representation of the University must be obtained from the official supervising that activity or event. Regardless of any absence, the student remains responsible for completing all assigned coursework.

Students should also be aware that extended absence may be reported to the Financial Aid Office and impact eligibility to receive federal student aid.

Appeals: Students who believe that their grade was unfairly impacted due to an improper application of the Attendance Guidelines Policy may appeal their course grade using the SUNY Brockport Grade Appeals Policy.

PLEASE NOTE: The Hazen Center for Integrated Care will only provide a confirmation that the student has been seen there on a specific date. The Center does not provide diagnoses or other support documentation for instructors. Instructors should not send students to the Hazen Center for Integrated Care requesting specific documentation on illnesses in support of excused absences.

Links to Related Procedures and Information

Grade Appeals Policy

Temporary Academic Leave

Contact Information

Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

History (in descending order)

Approval

This policy was approved by Brockport University Senate & SUNY Brockport President on 2023-07-14 (Senate Resolution 2022-2023 #64)