Attendance Policy for Main Campus and Extended Academic Programs

Unless otherwise stated in the course syllabus/outline, or unless an absence is excused in accordance with this policy, students are expected to attend and participate in all scheduled class meetings. Students taking online courses are expected to show active participation in the course as defined in the course syllabus/outline. Faculty are expected to communicate class attendance and participation requirements in the course syllabus/outline. Students are responsible for meeting the attendance and participation requirements in each course. If there are any questions or concerns over the requirements, students should speak directly to the faculty at the beginning of the semester.

Policy requirements

  1. Notification of Faculty
    1. Planned Absences. Students must notify instructors in writing at least two weeks prior to planned absences such as participation in an official university function, observance of a religious holy day, or active military service. If the absence is for the observance of a religious holy day see Class Absences for Religious Holy Days policy. If the absence is for military service the student should provide to each instructor a copy of the military orders (see #2.b. below regarding extended absences due to military service).
    2. Illness or other extenuating circumstances. Students should notify the instructor directly of absence due to illness or other extenuating circumstances.
  2. Making up missed work
    1. With instructor permission, make-up exams and assignments will be scheduled by the instructor within a reasonable time. Make-up exams and assignments will be equivalent to and no more difficult than the original assignments.
    2. A student who misses multiple class periods should seek advice from the instructor about the advisability of continuing in the course or requesting an Incomplete grade (if the student is otherwise eligible for an Incomplete).
  3. Withdrawing from a course
    • Students who are not able to attend a course are responsible for dropping the course by the appropriate deadline. Instructors may not automatically drop a student from a course. Students who do not attend and who do not officially drop the course will receive a failing grade for the course.
  4. Disputes and Appeals
    • If there are disagreements about absences that cannot be resolved between the student and the instructor the student should contact the Office of the Dean of the College or School who has oversight for the respective course. The Student Complaint Policy is found in the Student Handbook & Code of Conduct.
  5. Communication of Policy
    1. The policy and procedure are to be printed in the UIW Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct.
    2. International Student and Scholar Services will include the policy in the International Student Handbook and Welcome Week literature.
    3. The policy will be included in the Faculty Handbook (Chapter 7 Policies and Procedures on Instruction).
    4. The policy will be included in the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletins under "Attendance".

The University of the Incarnate Word welcomes persons of diverse backgrounds and is therefore committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students wanting to attend religious observances even though they may conflict with university class meetings, assignments, or examinations. This policy is intended to ensure that both faculty and students are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities in the accommodation of students' religious observances.