The course syllabus addresses student absences: no more than five. The college handbook for students reiterates the absence policy. Some students are responsible, checking in with the instructor, asking, “How many absences do I have?” Others plan their absences. If the family is spending Thanksgiving or Easter in Orlando, it might mean missing one or two classes. But what about the kid who misses one or two classes every three to four weeks, has an emergency after mid-terms, and disappears two weeks before the final paper is due or the final exam is administered?
Absences in a Course Can Derail a GPA, Financial Aid, and Trigger Probation
Most colleges have absence policies. If they do not, individual instructors usually do. College professors, ever mindful of student complaints and the grievance procedures, usually detail absence and tardy policies in their course syllabi.
Some of these policies are regurgitated statements, copied and pasted, from on-line handbook policies. Others may be a tad more lenient. All students should know these policies. If they come across as vague, ask for an explanation. Do not become a hostage to subjective absence decisions that can negatively impact the GPA or wreck havoc with financial aid.
But if the absence policy is concrete, make every effort to adhere to it. Students that are always in class and engaged in the lecture or discussion are far more likely to receive a reprieve if an emergency arises. Students that spend class time texting, nodding off, or working on assignments for other courses will never get the benefit of the doubt.
When Being in Class Counts as an Absence
College instructors are increasing listing students as absent if they leave the class to answer a cell phone call or text. Some instructors stipulate that if a student misses more than half of the class, for whatever reason, they will be counted as absent for the day.
Being late to class on a regular basis may also contribute to absences. Frequently, instructors count a specified number of late arrivals as one absence. Students should always know the tardy policy while instructors must include all variations of counting absences in their syllabi.
Excused Absences May Not Count in Some Colleges
There are many forms of “excused absences” ranging from illness to family emergencies. Even if a student has had no prior absences, documentation of an illness goes a long way and instructors may elect to overlook the absence. This includes notes from doctors and dentists. Many colleges and universities also email instructors if students miss class because they were treated at a campus clinic.
But instructors may not be held to accept such “excused” absences. Many treat any and all absences the same: an absence is an absence. It is also helpful to contact instructors before an absence, if nothing else as a courtesy. This also works toward good will and open lines of communication.
Appealing an Instructor-Generated Drop Form due to Class Absences
Every institution has a grievance policy that includes student appeals regarding instructor actions. This is part of due process and should be detailed in the student handbook. But if the student takes this route, several prerequisites apply:
- Can all absences be properly documented?
- Is the instructor’s published policy clear and fully inclusive?
- Were the policies properly published to all students (on a web site, in the course syllabus)?
- Has the instructor made any exceptions with other students?
Instructors have been known to drop or fail “difficult” students on the slightest whim. The complaining student, the student who verbally differs with the instructor’s views on a regular basis, the “know-it-all” student who causes other students to roll their eyes – all of these are examples of students instructors love to drop.
Know the Absence and Tardy Guidelines for Every Class
There is a reason course syllabi are required of instructors as of the first day of classes. The syllabus is a contract and, like any contract, should detail every aspect of course work and classroom expectations. One professor titled this section in his syllabus as “the Legal Stuff.”
There is nothing worse than doing well in a class only to be dropped in the final weeks of the semester because that fifth or seventh class absence has been recorded. It’s a bitter lesson but one that can easily be avoided. It all begins with knowing the absence and tardy policies and keeping a personal record of any missed classes or late arrivals.
Absences and late arrivals are especially crucial with early morning classes. Read more about taking early morning classes.
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