Duluth Catalog 2009-2010

Excused Absence Policy

Credit Courses

Certain credit courses may have requirements that lead to absences from other credit courses. Information regarding the dates and extent of these absences should be included with registration materials and should be part of the syllabus for the course requiring these absences. This same information should be part of the curriculum proposal for the course.

Activities

There are several official noncredit activities of the University in which required student attendance may lead to absences from credit courses. These may include, but are not limited to, intercollegiate athletics, theatre performances, and University Singers performances. In all cases, these activities must be scheduled before the beginning of the semester and be included with students’ registration materials.

Student Responsibilities

If class sessions will be missed because of requirements in other courses or because of official noncredit activities, students must contact their instructors during the first week of classes and make arrangements so that any course requirements unfulfilled due to these absences can be satisfied. In case of schedule changes, students must immediately contact their instructors and make any necessary arrangements regarding unfulfilled course requirements.

Instructor Responsibilities

In general, requested absences are permitted at the instructor’s discretion. When permitted, the instructor must work with the student to develop a procedure by which unfulfilled course requirements can be satisfied. Instructors must inform students during the first week of classes whether scheduled absences will be considered excused absences based on their attendance policy, and whether the student will be allowed to make up work missed. In some cases, however, the nature of the course may make attendance throughout the semester absolutely necessary. In these cases, the student has the choice of taking the course and missing the activity or withdrawing from the course.

Supervisor Responsibilities

The individual supervising the course or activity leading to absences must give students a schedule of these absences on or before the first day of the semester in which they will occur. The supervisor must also provide to students, in writing and in a timely manner, any changes to this schedule.

Final Examinations

The vice chancellor for academic administration must approve any excused absences from final examinations.

Appeals

Students—Any student who wishes an exception to this policy or believes the policy is being violated should submit a petition to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration.

Faculty/Staff—Any faculty or staff member who wishes an exception to this policy or believes the policy is being violated should report this to the Office of Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration.

Absence From Class for Religious Observances

The University permits absences from class for participation in religious observances. Students are responsible for informing instructors of absences at the beginning of the semester, meeting with instructors to reschedule any examinations affected by this policy, and obtaining class notes from other students. Instructors are requested to assist students in obtaining course materials and assignments distributed during class sessions.

Commencement Participation

Students may participate in spring commencement if they can demonstrate that they can fulfill all graduation requirements by the end of fall semester following spring commencement. Students may have no more than 18 degree credits remaining. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the degree clearance officer in the Office of Financial Aid and Registrar and are granted only for very unusual and compelling reasons.